Creating A Powerful Resume

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Creating a Powerful Resume

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Let’s Discuss

• Why do we write resumes?

• Types of Resumes

• Key items to consider

• Resume sections

• Full disclosure

• File organization

• Conclusion

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Why do we write resumes?

• Summary of our career background• Obtain an interview • Establish yourself as a professional• Cover for job applications• Advertisement – Shows how you add

value!• Written for the READER – not you!• Tailored to “Job Specs”

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Resume Areas

• Heading

• Summary or Objective

• Technical Skills

• Accomplishment summary

• Job History

• Education - Certification

• Personal information

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Types of Resumes

• Chronological– Traditional structure– Experience section in some detail for each job– PARs – (Problem, Action, Result)– Current or most recent job first – first job last

• Functional– Highlights your major skills and accomplishments– Lists your current job first – first job last

• Combined

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Length of resume

• How many pages should a resume have?– 1 page– 2 pages– Multiple pages

• You need all 3 types

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Key items to consider

• Grammatically correct• No spelling errors• Use the same words as shown in “job specs” or

ads• Use keyword of industry• Need “Air” – it must be appealing to eyes• Font size and type – Bolding – underlining• Name, email address, contact phone number on

all pages

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Heading Section

• Name

• Address

• Email address

• Telephone numbers– Home– Cell– Fax– LinkedIn address

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Summary or Objective Section

• Readers may limit you from your “Objective”

• “Summary”– Short phrase description of you professionally– List of expertise and skills– Personality traits– List of industries– List of awards– May list education schools / licenses

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Technical Skill Sets Section

• List major skills

• List specific software programs

• List of languages

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Accomplishment Section

• Include some accomplishments that show:– You added value to the organization– You saved the organization money– You helped increase market share– You increased productivity– Use $$$, %%%, ###

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Job History Section

• List current company name• List your title• List dates – usually only years• List company location• Short sentence regarding company size and

industry and your responsibilities• Bullet PARs (Problem, Action, Results)• Show how you add value – “So-What Theory”• Use $$$, %%%, ratios

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Full Disclosure

• List all your jobs– More bullets for current positions– Fewer bullets as you go back in time– May only list company name and title for

those jobs that are more than 10 years old– Do not leave out any of your companies – It

can create a credibility gap

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Education – Certification Section

• List Schools – Degrees & graduation dates

• List Certifications

• List Awards

• List Professional Affiliations

• List Civic or Community Leadership

• List Publications

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Personal Information Section

• Volunteer work

• Military service

• Additional talents

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

File Organization

• Resumes must be tailored to job specs• Create file for PARs• Create Template of Companies• Cut and paste PARs to Template• Internally name your file based upon job• Externally use standard naming convention so

reader can find – (Not “my resume”, “ml23Rev”)• Reader does not have secret decoder ring• Copy, paste and save after editing

Martin Latman - BaconML@nac.net

Conclusion

• Resumes are for the Reader – not you• Resumes get you interviews – not jobs• Tailor your resume to job “specs”• Why are you unique?• “So-What” Theory – You add value• Full disclosure• It’s YOUR document – You have to be

comfortable with it