Posted under Resumes on February 18th, 2008
The profile (or summary or qualifications section) of your resume is going to make you or break you. So why am I repeatedly seeing resumes that start with “Results-driven…” “Experienced…” Skilled…” or some similar tired language?
The profile is where you must make the potential employer stand up and take notice. No one notices language that 150 other candidates also wrote on their resume. Everyone considers themselves to be results-driven, experienced and skilled. So let’s talk about how to make your profile specific to you and you alone.
1) What can you actually come into the organization and do? This requires long consideration. The potential employer doesn’t only want to see what you know; he wants to see if your knowledge will benefit his company.
2) What are you historically known for? Evaluate your successes over the arc of your career. Is there a pattern? Do you nearly always accomplish turnarounds? Have you led a series of good start-up operations?
3) What are your areas of expertise? Go above and beyond key words in this section. Your expertise has more to do with HOW you do what you do. That means your flair, your style and your approach.
Applying these 3 points will get you noticed in the critical first 30 seconds. Then the employer will be more likely to spend a few minutes reading the remainder of your resume. Make sure the career history you present includes multiple examples that support your statements in the profile.
Print This Post