the Resume Template€¦ · sume Wins—to illustrate common mistakes and best practices in context. • Finally, I’ll invite you to write yours and complete your resume upgrade

the Resume TemplateHow to escape the pile and make the cut

by Paul Freed

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The Resume TemplateHow to escape the pile and make the cut

by Paul Freed

The Resume Template © 2015 by Paul Freed. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

This book may benefit your career, but maybe not. The author cannot guarantee you’ll get hired, get promoted, or live happily ever after as a result of reading the material. Take the book for what it’s worth—advice, opinion, ideas—and then take responsibility for what you choose to do next. May it be something great.

JobSesarchRoadmap.com

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Where’s the template? Before you dive into this book, you may want to start a working document in order to work on your resume as we go. Download the free template I created to help you out.

Now enjoy the book!

–Paul Freed

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE

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By the time you finish this book, your resume will be better than 90 percent of your competition.

How can I make such a big promise?

In 20 years as a professional recruiter, I have reviewed 50,000+ resumes, met thousands of job applicants, and discussed the topic of resumes with hundreds of fellow recruiters. I have fixed countless resumes for job candidates, friends, and clients. I get a front-row seat to see how companies react to resumes. I see what works and what does not.

The sheer volume of applicants overwhelms most employers, which is why your resume only gets a 6-second glance on average. In this brief moment, you need to capture the reader’s attention, communicate key information, and clearly explain what you’re looking for in a job.

90% OF RESUMES ARE BROKEN OR FALL FLATLet me take you behind the scenes. A hiring team has gathered for their weekly meeting to review new resumes for open positions. Each resume gets a few seconds to make an impression. Quick discussion follows, and then the document lands into one of three piles: Yes, No, or Maybe. A collection of resumes from candidates with comparable skills and experience typically follows the bell curve:

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The majority of resumes (which probably includes yours) land in the “Maybe” category and fall flat because the content raises more questions than it answers. For example:

• “What exactly did she do at that company?”• “Does he have experience with the same system we use?”• “What does her last company do?”• “I wonder why he left?”• “I see a lot of skills here. I wonder if he’s actually a specialist in any.”• “What role does she really want next?”

In some cases, the company may take the extra step to followup with a candidate and seek clar-ification. More often, however, it’s easier to reject a flat resume in favor of someone that clearly makes sense for the role.

In the hiring game, you’re up against other candidates with similar skills and experience. That means, with the strategic thinking and better organization you’ll learn in this book, you’ll out-pace 90 percent of all other applicants with similar credentials. Your “Maybe” resumes will bounce off the bubble, into the “Yes” pile, and on to the interview.

WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK DIFFERENT The material is fresh and current. You benefit from my insider tips as an active recruiter who knows what works and what doesn’t in today’s job market. These are not my theories, or my opinions, but proven strategies that I’ve gained over two decades of learning what companies like to see.

Also, this book is a practical process. It’s called The Resume Template because it provides a structure that delivers quick results. Unlike most templates, however, we’re going beyond mere formatting. I’m going to walk you through each of the six sections, and together we’ll build your winning resume one chunk at a time, according to the chart on the next page.

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The Resume Template

In each chapter, we’ll tackle a different section of the template using a simple approach: • First, I’ll explain why it matters, so that you understand the purpose of each section.• Second, I’lal present a series of prompts to help you gather what you’ll need to com-

plete each section. For best results, collect your answers in a separate document. • Third, I’ll show you how it looks by presenting two examples—Resume Fails and Re-

sume Wins—to illustrate common mistakes and best practices in context.• Finally, I’ll invite you to write yours and complete your resume upgrade as you progress

through the book.

You may be tempted to improvise, skip, or disregard certain aspects of the process, but I encour-age you to trust the template. It just works.

Finally, this book is results-focused. It’s all about crafting a high-performance resume. But a resume is only one piece of the job search puzzle. If feel stuck, unsure about what you want to do next in your career, this resume book will be helpful—later. First, you’ll want to know where you are and where you want to go. For that I encourage you to download the FREE Job Search Checklist at jobsearchroadmap.com, which will guide you through this preliminary process, as well as provide other interview strategies and tips.

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MY CHALLENGE AND PROMISE TO YOUCommit just a few hours to read through this book and work through the template, and you’ll finish with a resume better than nearly all of your competition. You will stand out from the pack. You will enjoy greater confidence and focus in your next interview.

I know you’re busy, but consider the work an investment. The time you spend now will save you much more time in the end. Follow the template, and you’ll see the results.

OK, time to shift gears. Let’s get rolling!

Your resume coach,

Paul Freed

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#1 Contact

THE BIG IDEAKeep the contact section simple. Make it easy for someone to get ahold of you.

WHY IT MATTERSThe contact section opens the resume at the very top of the page. It includes the info you’d expect to see if you wanted to reach someone—phone, address, email—along with any relevant websites. It’s the least complicated part of your resume, but don’t blow past it. Simple errors can ruin your chances right out of the gate.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED Gather the following information to complete the contact section.

Name

Use the name you would prefer to be called at work. Most likely, this isn’t your formal full name. If you write “William Scott McDonald,” I don’t know if you go by William, Will, Bill, or maybe event Scott. Put down your common name and last name (“Bill McDonald”), and leave it at that.

Address

Some people feel wary about including a street address, but this piece of information is normal and standard. If you’re uncomfortable getting specific, city and state will suffice. Companies like to know what your commute might be. Recruiters may also research the market value of your house to estimate relocation stipends.

Phone number

Use the best number to reach you, which probably means your cell phone. It’s the phone most likely to be with you and least likely to get answered by your roommate or your kids. A virtual number is another good option, such as Google Voice. In any case, include just one number so that a company knows without a doubt how to call you.

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Email

Use a personal email, not your present work address if you’re employed by another company, and be sure it’s an inbox you check often. Use a professional handle. [email protected] is a huge red flag and totally unnecessary. Sign up for a new email address if you have to, dedicated to your job search.

LinkedIn profile

Most companies and recruiters will search for your LinkedIn profile whether you include it on your resume or not, so make it easy for them. Create a personalized URL in your LinkedIn account settings, and add the hyperlink in your resume document.

Other links

Links to your portfolio, Facebook page, Twitter account, etc., are generally more distracting than helpful. Don’t include this information unless it’s somehow relevant to your field and the job you’d like (for example, creative, UX, web design, online marketing, photography).

HOW IT LOOKSResume Fail

William Scott [email protected] Skype ID: willscott45My site: www.weekendwarriorpics.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bill-scott-mcdonald/1/b64/381/en

525-555-1214 (home)525-555-0023 (work)

525-555-1212 (cell)

Ó Name doesn’t stand out—make it bold, center, larger. And does the applicant go by William? Bill? Scott? Full names on a resume are confusing.

Ó Unprofessional email address. Ó SkypeID isn’t relevant. They’ll ask for it if they need it. Ó Personal website is distracting and probably irrelevant. Ó LinkedIn profile is helpful, but use a custom link and/or hyperlink. Ó Too many phone numbers—and don’t list a work number!!

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Resume Win

525–555–1212 (cell)[email protected] | Project Portfolio

1234 5th Ave WTyler, TX 75702

Scott McDonald

P The overall clean look is easy to read. P The name is centered and written in a bigger, bolder font to stand out—but not too big,

which can look like a goofy waste of space. P The location of the rest of the information can vary, but should resemble this general

look. Nothing in the contact section should distract the reader. P Include a visual separation at the top of the resume. In this case, a thin black line makes

the contact section feel like a useful header.

WRITE YOURS As long as you can remember your own name and contact info, this will be the easiest part of the process. It’s always nice to start with a quick win, right? Congratulations, your resume repair has officially begun!

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COMMON QUESTIONS | CONTENT SECTION

What if I’m looking for a job in another town? Your geographic location can make a difference on whether you make it through the initial screen. Most larger companies are OK with relocation and will even assist you with the process. Many small to midsize companies prefer to hire local. If you want to be treated as a local candidate (and pay for your own relocation), then try to use a local address (a friend or a P.O. box) and get a local area code (try Google Voice, which forwards calls to any number). Once you start a conversation with the company, you can explain your circumstances.

What font should I use? Choose a standard typeface, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, between size 11–13. Use (but don’t overuse) standard formatting features like bold, underline, italics, and bullet points to organize and highlight your information.

Should I include graphics, color, and other visual elements? Colorful infographic-style resumes are trendy. They certainly stand out, but not in a positive way. Resumes that favor style over substance are generally not well received because they’re difficult to navigate. Remember that your audience is hiring managers and recruiters, not your colleagues and friends. Even for designers, photographers, and other visual arts professions, I would recommend a clear, traditional resume, supplemented by an outstanding portfolio.

Do I need a LinkedIn profile? Yes. You should have an up-to-date profile with a professional looking picture. Your job title and content should match your resume. Recruiters and employers will search for your profile, so make it easy for them to find.

Should I include links to my personal website, Twitter, or Facebook page?In most cases, no. If the content relates to the job you want, then yes (such as graphic design/UX/marketing portfolios). Either way, if you post a lot of personal stuff, you may want to clean up your accounts in case a future employer stumbles on the material.

Should I include a cover letter with my resume?No. The modern cover letter is the email you send with resume attached. For more advice on crafting this message, check out my blog post, “Should I send a cover letter?”

How many pages should a resume be? The acceptable page count depends on how much career story you have to tell. For your first few jobs, keep it to one page. At mid-career, two pages is normal. Once you’ve been around for 20+ years, it’s OK to stretch it to three pages, but I wouldn’t recommend anything longer.

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#2 Objective

THE BIG IDEAIn one sentence, state what you want to do and why it makes sense based on prior experience.

WHY IT MATTERSThe objective is only one sentence long, but it’s the most important sentence on your resume. That might sound controversial, since many people suggest omitting the objective entirely. As someone who looks at resumes for a living, I strongly recommend it. Without an objective, you force the reader to play career counselor and guess what kind of job you might want to do next.

My theory is that people gave up on recommending an objective section because it’s typically so poorly written. I agree that a bad objective does more harm than good. But when properly used, the objective has the power to set you apart from most all the other resumes.

A strong resume makes it easy for the reader to understand who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and where you want to go. The objective allows you to summarize all of this in one brief sentence, and demonstrates your ability to communicate in a clear, direct manner.

Companies love it. Recruiters love it. Trust me. The objective works.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED Answer the following questions to gather the information you’ll need to write a strong objective.

What job title would you like to obtain?

The title you aim for should track with your past roles or training, and make sense to a hiring manager. Avoid company-specific or comedic titles (“Web Wizard” or “Manager of First Impressions”) and go with a standard role that will be recognized by others in your industry.

How much experience do you have?

Specifically, how many years have you been paid to perform the function your job title describes? If your objective is to move up a level from your current role, how many years have you worked in the same field or industry (software, manufacturing, telco, retail, non-profit, etc.)?

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What makes you stand out?

Think about 1–3 highlights from your past experience. Can you solve complex problems? Do you have a particular skill? Did you work at an impressive company? The specifics will come into play later on, but a brief hook adds a nice touch to your objective.

What are you looking for?

If someone asked you, “What are you looking for?”, how would you reply in one sentence?

HOW IT LOOKS Resume Fail

My objective: An exciting role in Finance/Sales/Marketing/Operations with a game-changing company

that will help me utilize my skills, make an impact, and be part of an engaged culture.

Ó My objective – Just use “OBJECTIVE,” and make it all caps and bold to stand out. Ó An exciting role – Really? Just in case the company is only hiring for boring roles? Filler

like this wastes important first-impression space. Ó Finance/Sales/Marketing/Operations – Nobody is an expert in all of these, which makes it

seem likely that the applicant doesn’t actually know how to do any of them. Which job do you actually want?

Ó game-changing company – If a target company uses these terms, this could be OK. Otherwise, this sounds like more filler and not the best way to frame the main pitch.

Ó help me utilize my skills – It’s not about you. It’s about what results you deliver for the company.

Ó make an impact…engaged culture – Most companies don’t look for “non-impact” employees to match their “disengaged culture.” Once again, these are neutral phrases. They don’t offend, but they add nothing to the key message and therefore serve only as a distraction.

Ó Fail: The objective never tells me what the applicant wants to do or why I should bother talking with them.

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Resume Win

OBJECTIVE: Sr. Product Manager role utilizing my 8+ years of technical product management experience with top consumer brands such as Starbucks, Expedia, and T-Mobile.

P Sr. – Level-oriented adjectives add helpful focus and specificity (entry-level, senior, manager/director, VP, etc.). Just make sure to use the appropriate category based on your prior experience.

P Product manager role – A standard title helps me consider this person for a particular bucket of jobs while ruling out others (sales, finance, engineering). Companies are not very good career counselors. If you don’t tell them what you want to do next, you’re relying on them to guess and figure it out.

P Utilizing my 8+ years of technical product management experience – This objective is based on relevant, mid-level of experience. A seven-year history (versus one year or fifteen years) validates the “senior” part of the job title. “Technical” indicates a subset of product managers, a useful detail that will help this candidate find the right fit faster.

P Top consumer brands – Experience in the consumer industry—versus enterprise or business-to-business (B2B)—suggests that this person can be expected to understand concepts in that particular context. Typically, companies like hiring from others in their industry.

P Starbucks, Expedia, and T-Mobile – Listing recognizable employers in the objective is a great way to quickly grab attention. If you have worked with a well-known company, or an industry competitor, name-dropping in this section can give you an early advantage.

Besides the specific details, a strong objective demonstrates career focus, self-awareness, and an ability to communicate ideas effectively—all positive traits for any job.

WRITE YOURS Use the information you collected above and this simple template to write your one-sentence objective:

Objective:[Job title] role utilizing my [#] years experience with/delivering [list 1–2 highlights from your experience to hook the read. For example: industry, target customers, problems solved, past company name].

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COMMON QUESTIONS | OBJECTIVE SECTION

What if I’m not sure what I want to do next? If you don’t know where you want to go, it’s going to be hard to land a job—and very hard to know whether you’ve found the role that’s right for you. But uncertainty is common, and you are not alone. Before you get caught up in your resume, consider taking some time to identify your ideal destination. Answering this fundamental question will impact your job search more than any resume revisions you might make, and it will make your resume much better, too. Download the free Job Search Checklist to walk you through this process.

Do I need a different objective (or resume) for every job that I apply for? Ideally, your search is focused on a particular role, which means one resume should work for all of the openings you apply for. Sometimes, however, there may be two “flavors” of jobs you’re pursuing, in which case it’s a good idea to create a resume targeted at each.

Should I write my resume in the first person or third person? Use first person. First person says,“I delivered the product” or “my team owned the project.” Third person says, “Paul produced the result.” Most people don’t use the third person when talking with someone across the table. Same goes for your resume. That said, structure your sentences in such a way as to limit the number of pronouns (I, my, we).

What if I don’t have much experience?It’s OK to say that you have one or two years of experience in a field. If you have zero experience related to your target job, add “entry level” to show that you understand you are competing for jobs (and compensation) that matches other brand new employees.

What is the difference between industry, job, and role? • Industry: A broad category of business. For example: manufacturing, software, non-profit,

telecommunications • Role: Describes your functional field of work. For example: marketing, finance, HR, legal.• Job: The exact title and specific task ownership you held. For example: senior manager,

director, lead.

Will I miss out on jobs if I present myself as a specialist, rather than a generalist capable of accomplishing many different roles?Companies hire specialists, not generalists. In an effort to impress everyone, generalists appeal to no one. Companies hire in order to solve a particular problem, and they want to find the person best qualified and most likely to bring the specific solution. Even if you have a generalist background, showcase your specialty in a few areas. Give details. For example, “Allen-Bradley system experience” is better than “factory automation software experience.”

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#3 Skills Overview

THE BIG IDEACompose a list of focused bullet points that describe your skills relevant to the target job.

WHY IT MATTERSIf you stepped onto an elevator with a group of recruiters, how would you capture their interest before they all step off the ride?

The skills overview is your elevator pitch. This section should be a list of 5–6 bullet points that focus on clear, measurable areas. Like the objective line, your skills overview should make it easier for a company to see the potential match for an open position. The list will become your key talking points when you get the opportunity to interview with a company.

The Top Third Rule Along with the contact section and the objective line, the skills overview completes the most important section of your resume. I call this the Top Third Rule. If you literally took a pair of scissors, cut off the top third of your resume, and handed it to someone, they should know what you want to do and be inspired to call you. These sections are all that can fit into the top third, so make it count.

Why? Because the top third is the only chance you get to make that first impression with a company. The vast majority of companies will decide to pass or pick up on a resume after a six second glance at the top third.

In other words, everything below the top third is supporting material. Look at each word in the top third and ask, Is this absolutely necessary? If so, could I say it more succinctly? Limiting yourself to just a few bullet points not only saves precious space and time, it also demonstrates an ability to communicate efficiently.

Less is more, but it also takes more time. As Blaise Pascal said, “I would have written a shorter letter, but I did not have the time.” Streamline the top third of your resume and remove everything that is not essential.

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WHAT YOU’LL NEEDFollow the instructions below to begin building your skills overview.

Match the job description to your qualifications.

Open up your resume alongside the job description for the role you want. Copy your target job description into the skills overview section of your resume. Delete the items that don’t describe you, and adapt the ones that do.

This is a powerful way to get noticed. Many companies use the job description as a filter to prescreen resumes and make a quick decision about who makes the first cut. They’ll skim through numerous candidates and flag for followup the ones who meet the most qualifications.

Of course, they’ll also notice if you copy the job description outright. I’m not advocating plagiarism here. And never embellish or lie on your resume. It is wrong, and you will get caught sooner or later.

Collect keywords that apply to your field and role.

In addition to job qualifications, a company looks for mention of specific phrases, systems, and technologies. A recruiter or hiring manager skims a resume to spot these keywords and thinking, “Check…check…check…OK, I should put this person in the follow-up phone interview list.”

For ideas, find a handful of job descriptions for other roles in the field and function that interests you. Look for the industry-specific language that describes your skills and attributes. Gather whatever might apply, but for your final resume you’ll want to work in just a strategic few. A list of 24 technical skills is not helpful, just noise.

Describe your genius zone.

As you think back on your past experience, what problems did you enjoy solving? What roles and projects gave you the most energy? When did you feel most engaged, focused, and in the zone?

Include these activities in your skills summary to find a role that’s made for someone with your unique genius zone. In addition, it’s easier and more convincing to describe work that’s exciting to you, versus pretending to enjoy something that you don’t know or don’t care much about.

Outline your elevator pitch.

If a company asked you, “Why should we hire you for the job?,” what five reasons would you give? Write them down, and be sure to incorporate these key points in your skills overview.

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HOW IT LOOKS Resume Fail

Summary: Finance/Accounting/Audit/Financial operations/Controller/AP/AR/Billing company experience

working on a variety of challenging projects and exciting industries that made a difference; Enjoy

working with teams and latest technologies; Financial industry roles working for servant leader cultures

and prefer cutting edge, impact roles; Willing to work hard and learn new systems, teams and industries;

Have consulted Fortune 1000 clients on key accounting systems and platforms; Enjoy working on teams

and leading small team. Known by my peers as “the get it done guy!”

Ó Block text is hard to read. Ó Role titles are all over the map. Ó The info is too general. It lacks specifics that match actual job requirements. Ó The voice changes, inconsistent grammar, spelling error. Ó Lots of smoke (fluff and buzzword filler), but not much steak (substance). Ó The first and last sentences are most important, but the last one is wasted on a quote. Ó Which technologies? Which accounting systems? Which industries? Ó Overall fail: This summary does not adhere to the Top Third Rule. It does not stand out

from the pack. It does not pass Go, collect $200, or help anybody get a job.

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Resume Win

SKILLS OVERVIEW:

• 12 years of accounting experience, with public and mid-size private companies, working on a

combination of audit, risk, and compliance reporting

• Big Four public accounting experience with Ernst & Young

• Team leadership overseeing up to 7 people on a mix of internal and client-facing projects

• Oracle, SalesForce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Excel Jedi

• Proven track record launching new executive financial dashboards, technical accounting,

and international tax issues

• Industry vertical experience working in Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and E-Commerce

• MBA, Indiana; BS, Accounting, University of Michigan; CPA

P Includes industry-specific language to qualify and clarify experience. P Lists “Big Four” experience, typically a preferred qualification for someone in accounting. P Relates details like team leadership size, client makeup, and knowledge of particular tech-

nologies. P Shows a hint of personality and accounting sense of humor with Star Wars reference. P Describes specific types of projects that likely resemble the same kinds of projects another

company needs to accomplish. P Notes various sectors that may match up with the knowledge and experience certain com-

panies are looking for. P Mentions educational qualifications, allowing the company to quickly check these require-

ments off the list.

WRITE YOURS Gather up all of the information you collected above. To recap:

1. Job description qualifications (adapted based on your experience)2. Industry keywords (phrases, systems, technologies) 3. Description of your genius zone (work you like to do)4. Elevator pitch (five reasons why the company should hire you)

Select and/or combine the best of these sets to form one succinct list of 5–6 bullets. Your skills overview is ready to go.

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COMMON QUESTIONS | SKILLS OVERVIEW SECTION

Why don’t companies take more than six seconds to review my resume? Recruiters and hiring managers aren’t lazy. Rather, they have piles of resumes to review. Their job is to quickly evaluate whether someone might be a fit. Your job is to make it obvious that you are that someone.

Should I include character attributes in the skills overview? “Boy Scout” traits are common on resumes, stuff like friendly, loyal, helpful, trustworthy, etc. List them if you want, but their impact is neutral and not the best use of valuable space. Companies want to evaluate values and culture fit, but this happens in person—after they determine you are qualified and worth the time investment.

Should I use a formal or conversational tone? Your tone may vary depending on your audience. Generally, I recommend a professional-but-conversational style. Clearly state key facts and demonstrate professional communication skills, but reveal your personality to add some life. The hobbies and interests section is a great place to lighten things up a bit.

Do I need to use complete sentences, or are fragments OK? Complete sentences are optional. A resume can bend the rules of grammar, but be internally consistent with the conventions that you choose. For example, if you’re going to end one bullet point with a period, you need to end all of them with a period.

Why include my education in the skills overview if these details appear elsewhere? Your skills overview section must fulfill the Top Third Rule. Many jobs include an educational requirement, so include this basic info towards the top of your resume to make it obvious that you meet the qualifications. The details of your education can wait until later on.

Does anyone actually care about speling?Use spellcheck, but don’t rely on this imperfect tool alone. Double check your resume for spelling and grammar. Ask a friend to look it over. Read it out loud. Read it backwards one word at a time. An error is distracting (did the title of this question bother you?). A simple type or spelling error can mean disqualification for some hiring managers.

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#4 Experience

THE BIG IDEAProvide a chronological job history with details to capture interest and provoke conversation.

WHY IT MATTERSWelcome to the heart of your resume. A good experience section proactively answers common questions a company, a recruiter, or anyone interested in your work history will have:

• Where did you work? What did that company do? When did you work there?• What was your job title? What was your scope? How did it fit in with the team?• Did you make any progressive job transitions within the same company?• What knowledge (systems, technology) and experiences have you gained along the way?• Can you point to projects that demonstrate your abilities and work that you’re proud of?• Did you produce results and make a positive impact?• Why were you hired in the first place, and why did you leave in the end?

As you craft the experience section, keep in mind some essential best practices.

WHAT YOU’LL NEEDAnswer the following questions for EACH company/role in your employment history to gather the information you’ll need to create an effective experience section.

How would you describe the company in one or two sentences?

Assume you’re talking to someone who knows very little—perhaps nothing—about the company. Think about characteristics such as:

• Industry• Product or service• Target customer and top 2–3 customer examples• Annual revenue• Number of employees• Location• Classification (public, startup, non-profit, etc.)

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Why were you hired?

What problem were you initially hired to solve? What inspired you to join the company?

What was the context of your role?

Where did you fit in the organizational structure? Who did you report to, and what was their title? Did you oversee other employees? If so, how many?

For each role, what were your two favorite projects?

Recall work that you’re especially proud of. What did you enjoy about these projects?

What problems did you solve? What was the result?

Summarize your efforts in a 3–4-sentence case study: 1. What was the problem? 2. What was your role? 3. What was the result?

In describing results, get as specific as possible in one of three key areas: a. How did you increase revenue?b. How did you save money or increase efficiency? c. How did you increase customer satisfaction?

What made a good day?

This question will help you recall the tasks and projects that provided the greatest enjoyment and inspiration. This should give you a clue about the sort of work you’re best at, and something worth highlighting in the experience section. Play to your strengths.

How would your co-workers describe your contributions?

A resume is not the place to include your references, but it’s helpful to think about the 3–4 people you might ask when the time comes. Depending on the nature of your relationship, you might consider asking them to describe your past work in order to gain fresh perspective and some descriptors to match.

Why did you leave?

If you can answer this question in a way that is positive and relevant to the context of your resume, it’s helpful to provide a proactive explanation. Whether or not it makes sense to include this detail in your experience section, coming up with an answer now will prepare you for the interview process later.

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HOW IT LOOKS Resume Fail

Marketing Manager – Radnar Corporation 2013-2015Reviewed marketing strategies and focus areas. Ran regular reports on marketing updates as requested. Attended key manager meetings. Was responsible for online marketing, print marketing, and worked with sales to provide marketing support.

E-commerce marketing - Radnar Corporation 2010-2012Responsible for all online marketing for the company. Took old website and updated. Used online analytics to review site performance. Made recommendations for improvements. Worked with team to answer questions regarding online strategies.

Resume Win

EXPERIENCE:

Radnar Corporation, Portland, OR August 2010–May 2015

Radnar is a 350 employee, $40M manufacturer of aftermarket bike parts sold online and through

retail distribution serving top brands such as Schwinn, Huffy and Peugeot.

Marketing Manager (January 2013-May 2015)

• Promoted by VP Marketing to oversee 5-person marketing team including online marketing,

event marketing, and product marketing.

• Increased unique visitors online by 125% and e-commerce revenue from $2M to $4M.

• Focused event marketing on 4 key industry events (vs. 15 prior year), saving 45% while achieving

the same revenue and lead generation goals.

• Launched new FastLane bike accessory product, working with sales and product management

teams from concept to market launch; fastest profitable new product launch in company history.

• Left due to merger with MegaCorp; marketing roles consolidated in Kentucky HQ.

E-Commerce Marketing (August 2010-December 2012)• Hired for newly created position to modernize e-commerce platform and related online marketing strategies.

• Increased online unique visitors by 150% and e-commerce revenue from $750K to $2M through streamlined shopping experience, SEO, and rich media.

• Developed content management strategy, reducing lead time for any updates/changes to product listings from an average of 48 hours to 4 hours.

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One of the main differences between these two examples comes down to storytelling vs. fact-telling. A story describes results and outcomes. Facts relate activities that kept you busy. For example:

Fact-telling: Oversaw a team of five people, accounting processes, and reporting.

Storytelling: Reported to VP Finance, led a five-person accounting team, and developed a real-time financial dashboard that led to annual estimated savings of $2 million.

A resume should communicate facts, but the power is in the story. If you worked through the Content section above, you’re already familiar with the simple structure that transforms the facts of your job into the story of your career (use this pattern for interview answers, too):

1. Overview of the issue: What was the problem? 2. Description of your: What was your solution?3. Measurable outcome: What was the result?

When it comes to telling your stories in the form of bullet points on a resume, jump straight to the conclusion:

How did you increase (1) revenue, (2) savings/efficiency, or (3) customer satisfaction?

Here are a few more examples of what resume stories look like in the context of the experience section. I’ve organized these by the three performance categories to help you start thinking in that mindset. Note the specificity of each action and result:

1. Increased revenue• Increased online sales 15% through new personalization strategy.• Exceeded $2M Enterprise-direct sales quota in the last year.• Led new innovation from concept to market launch, generating $10M in sales in the first

year.• New online demand generation strategy increased monthly quality leads to inside sales

team from 1,000 to 2,500.• Through proactive communication and marketing, increased annual customer renewal

rate from 55% to 71%.• Opened up a new market territory leading to 5% increase in overall revenue.• Launched new iOS app leading to 50,000 downloads in the first year and $100K in new

revenue.

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2. Saved money/increased efficiency• Decreased cycle time on processing claims from five days to two days.• Launched new expense reimbursement system and technology leading to $150K in annu-

al savings.• Developed customer care playbooks for the customer service department, leading to a

decrease in average call time from 8 minutes to 5 minutes.• Created new retail store closing checklist, enabling store employees to complete their

tasks 15 minutes faster with the same cleanliness quality scores.• Reviewed HR handbooks and policies and streamlined from 240 pages to 80 pages and

posted the document in employee online portal for easy access.• Negotiated better vendor terms, saving the company $250K annually while maintaining

the same internal team satisfaction scores.

3. Delighted the customer• Led new customer care training and internal reviews, which increased positive rating of

feedback survey from 65% to 85%.• Achieved turnaround with key corporate client on the verge of leaving by bringing in new

client support contact and developing customized templates and VIP service standards.• Updated next-generation customer product based on features from client meetings and

focus groups.• Represented the “voice of the customer” in developing great user experience for new mo-

bile application.• Developed new service level agreements (SLAs) for all customers to showcase our com-

mitment to quality and fast turnaround.• Improved employee culture by delivering a servant leadership approach, making new

team hires, and increasing internal quality systems. Department leader satisfaction scores on internal team reviews increased from 45% to 91%.

The specific actions combined with specific results make it very easy for a company to imagine a candidate delivering favorable outcomes in a new but similar context. That’s the impact of story.

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WRITE YOURS The experience section is the most complicated portion of your resume. In addition to your answers to the questions above, and the examples, you may want to take a peek at the common questions I’ve included at the end of this chapter, which provide another layer of detailed advice.

Here are more best practices to help you organize your thoughts and get through this section: • Use reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent roles first and work

towards the last. • Go with bullet points. Lists create structure, improve readability, and will ensure

shorter answers. It’s a highlight reel, not a screenplay.• Hyperlink company websites. A recruiter may want to research your past employ-

ers, especially if you’ve worked at lesser known organizations. Make this information easier to find by including the URLs on your resume.

• Let your measurable achievement speak for itself. Avoid subjective, self-import-ant labels like “expert” or “humble.” Hyperbole isn’t a good idea either.

• Start with why you got hired. The first bullet point I like to see under each role is a description of the mission you were hired to fulfill, and how your role fit into the big picture of the team. Focus on key metrics and projects (see “After” example, above).

• End with why you left. This one is optional, but you will get asked the question at some point. If any of your transitions might raise a red flag (multiple jobs in a short amount of time, for example), I recommend a proactive explanation on your resume rath-er than waiting for the inevitable, or risking a quick rejection.

Once you’ve finished the experience section, you’re on the homestretch. The rest is easy and fun, so hang in there!

All about that actionUse a variety of action words to describe your past work. Avoid using the same words too much in order to keep the content dynamic. Here are a few options to get you inspired:

Accomplished Achieved Conducted Contributed

Demonstrated Distributed Drafted Established

Formulated Generated Inspired Invented

Launched Led Organized Performed

Produced Simplified Sold Transformed

If you need more ideas, I’ve collected a few on JobSearchRoadmap.com.

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EXPERIENCE SECTION | COMMON QUESTIONS

Should I organize my resume chronologically or functionally?Portray your job history chronologically, noting the month and year you started and ended each role. Never, ever, ever use a functional resume. A chronological resume lists your jobs in order, starting with the most recent. A functional resume combines all of your experience under categories like “Marketing experience” and “Leadership.” Chronological resumes tell a story. Functional resumes look like you’re trying to hide something. Anyone who recommends a functional resume has never hired people—no hiring manager or recruiter prefers this method.

Is it OK to fudge the truth a bit on my resume? No. People lie on their resumes more than you’d expect. It can work for awhile, but you will get caught eventually. Even fudging on seemingly trivial details can backfire. Expect a company to vet every detail using Google, references, past employers, and every other resource at their disposal.

What if I’m not sure how to describe my experience?Search resumes on a site like Indeed.com. Find examples that match your job title for inspiration, and look for common phrases you could use.

How do I describe transitions at the same company? If you worked at one company for many years, you likely had different roles over time. Show one header for the company, including the total range of time, and one or two sentences describing the overview. Below this headline, highlight each job title and the associated dates. Include more detail for the most recent and most relevant roles.

Should I mention why I was hired? Why I left? You’ll get these questions eventually, so it’s generally a good strategy to answer proactively. This can be a simple bullet at the beginning and end of each role description: “Hired to ____” and “Left due to ____.” Positive transitions are good to mention (for example, you were recruited away, the company moved or got acquired, you decided to pursue your ideal career path, you got a promotion). Layoffs generally aren’t positive or negative, but good to mention. Negative transitions you might not want to mention until you’re asked (for example, if you got fired or if you quit suddenly in frustration). Whatever the circumstances, always stay positive and never bash your former boss or place of work.

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How do I describe my personal consulting experience? To be honest, “consulting” is often interpreted as code for “unemployed and doing side jobs.” Address this bias by listing a series of specific client names and projects. If you had several consulting projects back to back, list them under the same “consulting” headline with details below.

How do I describe gaps in employment? Minor gaps between roles are no problem. If you have more than 3 months to fill, reference any consulting or contract work you accomplished while looking for your next gig. Describe topics you studied, skills you gained, and other ways you took advantage of the extra time. If you intentionally took personal time off for travel, family, or sabbatical, list a few highlights.

Should I include a section with keywords for computer recognition and searching? Many companies store digital resumes and rely on a database to identify keywords. It’s smart to include these words on your resume, but a dedicated keywords section looks silly. It makes the resume look unfocused and impersonal. Instead, incorporate the keywords into the content itself.

What’s the best way to portray a quick succession of job changes? Job hopping will be a red flag to many employers. Some candidates get dismissed based on this reason alone. To avoid this fate, proactively mention why you were hired and why left each role—especially if you can point to circumstances beyond your control. You can also try listing a number of roles under a single headline, and link them together with a common storyline. In any case, do whatever you can to stick it out at your next job for several years to overcome this obstacle in the future.

What if I had a quirky or odd job title? Supplement or replace the custom title with the standard equivalent. For example, if you were the “Scribe of Power” at an ad agency, but other companies would probably call your job “Executive Administrator,” use the latter instead. When you translate, be sure not to move yourself up or down a level on the common organizational chart.

Should I include internships or work studies in the experience section? No, save these details for the education and certifications section. The only exception might be recent college grads who need to add as much as possible to their work story.

How do I translate my military experience? Thank you for serving. My best quick tip is to avoid the jargon used to describe your scope. For example, instead of “Military procurement,” say “Supply chain manager,” and specify the number of units and delivery timelines. Look up former military personnel at your target company or profession and ask if they would help guide you towards the right roles and offer advice on how to navigate the process.

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#5 Education &Certifications

THE BIG IDEA Highlight key education facts, but also use this section as an opportunity to include some additional content that might set you apart.

WHY IT MATTERSWe’ve now reached the bottom of your resume. Almost done! In this section, include all of your college education details. If high school graduation was your highest degree, then include that. Either way, include your graduation dates to help with the degree validation process, just in case. Listing extracurricular activities adds context, so feel free to mention volunteer work, athletics, work study, professional or social associations, clubs, etc. In addition to school-related activities, this section is also the place to include any relevant training, certifications, or special courses taken that could be applicable.

WHAT YOU’LL NEEDGather the following information to complete the education and certifications section.

Education overview

• College names and location (city, state)• Degrees / areas of study• Academic honors

Extracurricular information

List any clubs, associations, volunteer work, and other interesting and potentially beneficial experiences and affiliations from your time in school.

Certificates and awards

List any professional certifications, awards, achievements, or recognitions.

Internships and work studies

List any notable unpaid or training-based work experience.

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HOW IT LOOKS Resume Fail

University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), Bachelors of Science in AccountingCertified Public Accountant (CPA)

Resume Win

EDUCATION:

BS, Accounting – UCLA (2007)

• Emphasis on tehnical accounting, costing, and Oracle financials.

• Sigma Chi Fraternity (treasurer); Boys & Girls Club volunteer.

• Developed campus-wide “Reuse It” program, increasing recycling by 35% and earning $15K in

city green credits.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Active.

WRITE YOURS Use the example above as a reference and plug in your information, simple as that.

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COMMON QUESTIONS | EDUCATION & CERTS. SECTION

Should I include my GPA? If you earned a 3.5 or higher, then yes. It doesn’t hurt, but few companies really care.

If I attended a school but didn’t complete my degree, should I mention it?Yes. Specify the amount of schooling you finished and the years you attended.

Should I include volunteer, work study and other activities while at college? Yes. Adding a couple bullet points to show what you were able to work on and accomplish adds personality to your resume beyond achieving the degree.

Should I include high school? Only include your high school education if it’s the highest level you completed, or if you are a recent college grad and you feel it would help you in some way. Otherwise, it’s OK to omit.

Should I include company training program certificates or other industry certificates earned outside of formal higher education? Yes, include these details if they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for.

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#6 Hobbies &Interests

THE BIG IDEAAdd some personality to your resume to reveal what’s interesting about you and create opportunities for connecting with your interviewer.

WHY IT MATTERSThis last section is optional, but highly recommended. Ultimately, a company will hire you after they see who you are, not after they learn what you can do. That’s why the hiring decision is made after the interview, not after the resume.

Companies hire people they connect with, relate to, and find interesting. In my recruiting experience, I have witnessed many instances when a fun personal fact sparked a long conversation with a hiring team, which in turn made the difference in the offer.

When you meet someone new, it’s human nature to try and find something in common to talk about. It doesn’t matter if it’s barbecue, photography, skiing, favorite bands, a book, or travel. Any shared connection can build a bond and draw us closer, even the simple question, “What keeps you busy outside of work?”

WHAT YOU’LL NEEDAnswer the following list of questions to gather information for your hobbies and interests section.

OK to include

• Volunteer work: Are there ways you give back to the community?• Hobbies: What are 3–5 things you enjoy doing and love talking about? The more inter-

esting and unique the better, to show your personality.• Books and media: What books have you enjoyed reading in recent months? How

about favorite movies or TV shows?• Travel: Have you taken any fun trips in the last few years? What country or adventure is

on your wish list?

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• Special talents: Whether legitimate (bilingual) or just for fun (ice cream aficionado), do you have any talents that have served as conversation-starters in the past? It’s OK to make fun of yourself as it shows you don’t take yourself too seriously and have a witty sense of humor.

NOT OK to include

Don’t mention anything bitter, anything overtly political, or anything that could be perceived as hurtful. Use common sense.

HOW IT LOOKS Resume Fail

Hobbies/Interests: Enjoy BBQ, running, reading and classic cars.

Ó Better than nothing. But it lacks emotion or personal passion. You wouldn’t talk that way when describing your weekend to a friend.

Resume Win

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:

• Award-winning BBQ rib recipe. • Completed 2014 Seattle Marathon in 3:45. • Top two favorite books read this year: Tribes (Seth Godin) and Launch (Jeff Walker).• Currently restoring a 1964 Corvette Stingray.

P Did you find this version more engaging?

WRITE YOURS Once you’ve compiled a list of hobbies and interests, string some together in a way that is engaging and further reveals your personality. Read it to some friends and ask for ideas.

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COMMON QUESTIONS | HOBBIES & INTERESTS SECTION

Should I include religious activities? If your religion is something you care about and want to share, then I lean toward yes. In my experience, mentioning that you volunteer for your church, or that you’re involved with Jewish Community Center or a Christian Adoption Agency is either neutral (the company is indifferent) or positive (they might share the same faith foundation). Everyone has a bias, but I can’t think of any example when religion-oriented items represented a negative concern or hiring issue. In the rare case when a company or hiring manager is militantly anti-religious, then I believe it’s better to get it on the table and find out early, rather than after you take a job. I realize this is not the politically correct answer you get from HR, but we are dealing in the real world.

Should I list references at the end of my resume? The phrase “References available upon request” is common at the bottom of a resume, but totally unnecessary. A company will ask for references, whether you offer them or not. Don’t include specific references on your resume, because unfortunately companies may use this contact information for the wrong reasons. General references are great for your LinkedIn profile, but not for your resume.

Should I include salary or compensation details on my resume? No.

Should I include my picture on the resume? No. It is unprofessional, unless you are applying for a modeling job. Even though recruiters will still look up your photo on LinkedIn, it cannot legally be used in any hiring decision process. Including a photo in your resume will not help you in any way.

How should I save and title my resume file? It bugs me when candidates name their resume with lengthy, useless info. For example: John_Talley_resumeV4.02014marketingversion.docx. Too little info is equally bad, like: JT CV.docx, or resume.docx. Even worse is when the file is saved in an uncommon format, like Pages or InDesign. Instead, use a simple, clear document name: John Talley resume.pdf. Save it as a Word doc or PDF. And unless you’re applying for a job outside of North America, it’s a “resume” not a “CV” (curriculum vitae).

You recommend _______ but I’ve heard the opposite. Who is right? If you talk with ten friends about your resume, you might get ten conflicting pieces of advice. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide who to believe. When it comes to job search advice, I encourage you to weigh the feedback based on the person’s level of hiring experience. Remember, any knowledge is only useful if you actually do something with it.

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CONGRATULATIONS!I hope your new and improved resume serves you well. Here are a few parting tips to help you keep this important document tuned up and ready for showtime:

• Block out time. If you read through this book quickly and didn’t stop to do the work for each section, get your calendar and block out time to complete the task in the next 48 hours. You need to do the work to get the results. Trust the process, and invest the time to update your resume once. Then you can shift your focus and start talking to companies with the added confidence of a great resume.

• Track your weekly success. During a job search, my encouragement is to track things you can control each week. This will focus your efforts and generate momentum. To see how your resume and weekly efforts fit into the whole job search process, download my free Job Search Checklist.

• Subscribe to the Job Search Roadmap blog. Your resume is only one small part of the job search journey—not to mention your career. Stay ahead of the pack and on top of your game with the help of jobsearchroadmap.com.

Thanks for reading, and all the best.

Your job search coach,

Paul FreedPaul Freed

P . S . Let me know when you get the job! [email protected]

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About the author

Paul Freed loves to match the right people with the right work. As a professional recruiter, he’s made a living out of it for 20 years and counting. Paul co-founded Herd Freed Hartz in 2001, a premier executive search firm in the Pacific Northwest, working across a breadth of roles and industries. His professional life has given him a front row seat to see what what works—and what doesn’t—in the world of resumes, interviews, negotiation, and career development.

As a spokesman for the recruiting industry, Paul is an established source of hiring and job search insight. He served as president of the Northwest Recruiters Association, the region’s largest professional recruiting organization, and was featured in the documentary The Art of Recruiting.

Outside of his career, Paul has long enjoyed helping friends along the job search journey. He has also led numerous seminars on the topic in his community and at his church. Positive feedback from this experience inspired him to start Job Search Roadmap as a way to help more people with resources to get the job and find a career path.

Paul lives in the land of Amazon and Starbucks with his wife Rachel, and enjoys chasing and laughing with their young daughter. Visit jobsearchroadmap.com to learn more about Paul, and win your job search.

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