[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light”]
From time to time friends and clients request help with updating their resume. While I love to assist with proofreading and wordsmithing, I leave the real work up to the experts to capture the best parts of you and your career… all within a one-page summary!
This is the time of year when many companies begin implementing their business plans which often include employment opportunities.
Whether you are looking outside or within your company for a new role, perusing LinkedIn for openings, or just connecting with others in your community, it’s key to have a fresh resume so you are ready to role when someone says “shoot me your resume.”
So why not include an expert in this week’s gem? Below is some advice from my guest blogger this month, Doris Applebaum…thanks, Doris!
“WHAT VALUE DO YOU BRING TO THE EMPLOYER?”
Did you know that the best time to update your resume is while you’re still employed? There are no job guarantees. To protect yourself from being caught up in a downsize, a right size, or a “blind” size, update your resume every six months. Whether you are actively seeking a new job right now or would just like to freshen up your resume, you need to think like an employer when writing it. Companies hire people who they believe will produce results. An employer will hire you because you’ve convinced him/her that you are the solution to a problem or that you can increase profits, improve productivity and contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Well-stated, result-oriented examples of your past accomplishments will enable the prospective employer to see you as the right choice for the job.
The best formula for resume writing is:
Action… Results… Benefit.
“Incorporated X, with results Y, which benefited the company by Z.”
If possible, always try to identify your accomplishments in quantifiable terms, such as: saved the company $35,000; increased sales by 40%; reduced employee turnover by 20%; saved 30% overall on supplies. Remember, numbers and percentages always jump off the page on a resume and get noticed first.
To help you identify your accomplishments, ask yourself these questions:
Did you help increase sales? By what percentage or amount?
What were the conditions under which this occurred?
Did you lead the effort to support others?
Did you generate new business, attract new clients or forge affiliations with new organizations in your industry?
Did you save money? If so, how much? Under what conditions?
Did you develop any cost-cutting measures?
Did you finish a major project within budget?
How did you achieve this?
Did you train anyone? What happened to those you trained?
Are your methods used by others?
Did you take on new responsibilities?
Did you ask for new projects or were they assigned to you? Did you suggest or launch a new program?
Did you take the lead or offer support?
What type of skills did you contribute?
Did you design or institute new systems or processes?
If so, why were these systems needed? What were the results?
Here are some great examples of accomplishment statements that would get any employers’ attention.
(Notice how these statements are typically one sentence long and use a bullet point to separate them so that they are easy to read. Always start the sentence with an action verb.)
Modernized recruitment program, curtailing dependence on contract workers by 50%, which reduced employee turnover by 30%, and generated a $35,000 savings the first year.
Initiated and directed a customer service program to process all complaints or requests within 24 hours.
Conducted over 50 meetings and marketing presentations a month to healthcare professionals, which resulted in a 40% increase in referring hospitals and physicians.
Revised shipping procedures; introduced improvements that substantially reduced cost and shipping time.
Restructured the accounting system; ensured that no additional staff was necessary when the company expanded from 18 to 23 centers.
Doris Appelbaum, Founder and President of Appelbaum’s Resume Professionals, Inc., in
Milwaukee, WI, is an internationally respected professional resume writer and career consultant with 40+ years of experience. She has been quoted as an expert nationwide and has provided career transition services for major corporations and transitioning military. She has been a career columnist for many publications and websites and hosted two radio shows. Her resumes have been published in several books. She was an honor graduate from Hofstra University with a BA – English/Journalism and an MS – Secondary Education. Doris can be reached at (414) 352-5994 – dorisa@appelbaumresumes.com. Visit her company’s website for resume critiques as well as career and military transition advice: http://www.appelbaumresumes.com.
Interested in sharing your tips and tools on anything related to personal or professional development for my Daly Gems? Email me today and let’s chat!
XO-
Meg
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
