The best success for drafting a resume' that will grab attention and keep you competitive among the other candidates who might be vying for the same opportunity is preparation. Here is but just one nugget we encourage all professionals to consider:
Create a folder in your email called the 'atta-boy' or 'atta-girl' folder. In that folder you will will drag and drop every email you have received or will receive that gives praise or thanks to something you did that helped effect a positive change. This serves a dual-purpose:
1. You will have a chronological record (and reminder) of the accomplishments you've made that have done one of three important things: Made, Saved or Achieved. Hiring managers love to see percentages, ratios, etc., that demonstrate how the bottom line was improved. Resumes can be a pain in the rear to update, make your life easier by being prepared.
For example, Accountants save money or reduce time, Salespeople increase profits, so on and so forth. Percentages and ratios leap off the resume' and grab attention when they are coupled with phrases that say 'resulting in', 'savings of' and 'reductions by'. These strategic bullet points on your resume' lead to meaningful conversation in the interview. The resume' gets you the interview, the interview gets you the job!
2. The 'atta-boy/girl' folder is also a nice foundation for your own advancement when the time arrives for your review, and optimally, a promotion! The annual review or internal interview for a promotion should be a well-prepared, concise and clear discussion; having your ammunition and talking points detailing your accomplishments for the company over the years is the way to do so.
Avoid using words on your resume' that everyone else is using. For example, "motivated". If you want recognition for doing your job then use "motivated", otherwise aim for something that describes how you perform on the job.
Another word to avoid is "collaborative" which has a similar, boring effect. The person reading your resume' doesn't want to know if you're collaborative but rather how you are collaborative, so describe a collaborative process you've taken part of in succinct, punchy language.
If you like those ideas please contact us...we have several more for you: