Resumes and Value-Rich Cover Letters
Stop putting a resume objective in your resume
Perhaps you didn’t know that the resume objective is no longer part of today’s resume. Why did the resume objective stop being important? In the past, resumes began with a resume objective. This long phrase began: “To obtain a position in the field of XYZ as a XXXXXXX that will allow me to grow and…
Read MoreIdentify your resume stories not your job description
Resume stories at one time brought questioning glances and raised eyebrows. Today’s resume evolved significantly and serious job seekers at least know there is such a thing as resume stories. Yet even with improved education about resumes, most people are still trying to write job description resumes. How do you transform a job description resume to one…
Read MoreIs there a rule about cover letter quotes or testimonials?
Does anyone use cover letter quotes or testimonials? The answer is “Yes…if.” You can use a quote in your cover letter if you tie it to your accomplishments and value. When I use a quote in either a resume or cover letter, it usually comes from an employee evaluation, reference letter, or perhaps a letter or…
Read MoreWhy you should use color on your resume
Color on your resume is still in 2018 a common question. At one point, a client shared an article on yahoo cited points of what not to do on resumes and of course, there was a discussion of color on your resume: 5. A fancy design. Here’s what most hiring managers think when we see a…
Read MoreWhat everyone should know about writing an exceptional cover letter!
Why do you need an exceptional cover letter? Aren’t cover letters extinct? One reason I include cover letters in all Design Resumes packages is to ensure that if you target a job where the hiring manager likes to read your exceptional cover letter, you have one. It is better to be prepared than not. …
Read MoreI, I, I is not so important
When my sons were little, my mother and my brother made a recording for them of bedtime stories. In one of them, she was reading a German prayer, “Ich bin klein”: Ich bin klein Mein Herz ist rein Darf niemand drin wohnen als Jesus allein. That translates to: I am small My heart is pure…
Read MoreWhen you realize your resume isn’t reaching the executive job market
In the executive job market, senior leaders worry hiring managers will miss their resume. Incredibly, top leaders feel invisible and look for the magic formula to land an interview. Their focus is in the wrong direction Without a doubt, your resume must capture your value from past roles. Inject compelling resume stories to define business…
Read MoreWhy I changed resume writing to a collaborative experience
When I create your resume, it is a collaborative experience. This differs from 95% of resume writers because I never go away to write. You have my full attention in every session. I’ve been called crazy by some of my colleagues (in good humor, of course) because I let you look over my shoulder. Why…
Read MorePet Peeve – Is responsible for hiding in your resume or LinkedIn profile?
One of the most common phrases in resumes is “responsible for.” Reading through LinkedIn profiles and resumes sent by people who want to hire me to improve their resume, responsible for is the phrase most repeated. Leave out responsible for It doesn’t add value. When you use it, it sounds like a job description. Tell…
Read MoreHow to write a resume to drive employers to call you
Ideally, everyone’s resume should drive employers to call them. Your resume should be so intriguing that employers want to have a conversation. Your resume should tell the employer how you can help them. For example, if one of your major projects was Site Decommissioning, you might say: Site Decommissioning – Directed development and execution of…
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