What Makes A High Impact Resume?
Jan 28th, 2008 by Nohel
Having a hard-hitting, high-impact resume can do wonders for the effectiveness of your job search. This statement is so true when you look at the ways the resume is used by employers in deciding which candidate to hire. Four things come to mind when thinking of a high-impact resume and the effects it has on an employers decision to hire you, I call them tools:
- Communication Tool
- Marketing Tool
- Interview Road Map Tool
- Post-interview Comparison Tool
I call these items tools because they are four tools you can use to your advantage when deciding on how to write a resume. For instance, your resume is first and foremost a communication document. Its purpose is to communicate clearly and succinctly to employers your work-related skills and abilities. If your resume communicates effectively, employers will easily be able to understand and assess your qualifications.
Marketing Tool
Your resume is a marketing tool that can persuade employers of your value for the type of work you are applying for. Your resume must do a solid job of convincing employers of your unique value when compared to the many other employment candidates with whom you are competing.
Interview Road Map Tool
Your resume can serve just that, as a road map during an interview. How many interviews have you had where the interviewer follows your resume as the basis for guiding the interview? If so, what the interviewer is doing is going down your resume line by line asking appropriate probing questions along the way. A poorly written resume can confuse the interviewer making for a really awkward time during this kind of interview. Taking the time and effort to prepare a thoughtful, well-organized resume is sure to have major payoff for your job search efforts.
Post-Interview Comparison Tool
Following the interviewing process, the committee usually meets to make a decision among the candidates. Your resume will be a focal point when being compared to others. If the comparison is to be a great one for you, you will need to have a well designed, highlighted work-related experiences, and a well articulated resume. A poor resume will guarantee you will not make the cut.
A Tip From Career Counseling: “Write your resume as if it were the only thing used to get a job!”
I would be curious to see how to format a resume properly. I’m sure that will be coming soon, so I’ll be sure to check back…sharp looking site!
Having it be a road map for an interview is so true. Another tip would be to make sure you know your resume in and out because you will be questioned about it. Also, having a story to show the skills you used for each job is also a key part of the interviewing process.
Marketing tool huh…that’s what business cards are for
Dave,
Yes business cards are the #1 way to market yourself at conferences and other professional functions… or even to impress the ladies at the bar
but to have a clean, impressive and professional resume is a great way to have other successful individuals in your industry see your professional accomplishments.
Great points Nohel. Keep up the good work!
Career Hustle
[…] come in all forms and sizes. I have seen thousands of resumes from people in more industries than I can count. And from all of the resumes I have seen, I have […]