Résumé Help - Adding Impact to the Top Third of Your Résumé
If we read Rachel’s entire résumé, we will find she has managed accounting and auditing for high-value operations. The problem is that the reader may lose interest in Rachel within the first few lines of her résumé and Rachel misses an opportunity. That’s a common issue and easily repaired.
She starts off with her primary career descriptors, which is fine. Next are three sentences that are too long for a headline and too short for a summary. Within those lines there is a bit of repetition. Mostly, it lacks impact. She needs a compelling headline followed by a summary of three to five lines with a crisp overview of how she fills the needs of her target employer.
With a new headline and summary, the reader is interested and continues reading. Next we see a few job-specific skills. This is good because it reinforces that Rachel holds the minimum job requirements. However, we can make it stronger. Let’s show those same skills in the context of an achievement. We will ask Rachel for real numbers to show dollar values, number of locations, etc. to show the scope of her responsibility. We’ll also move less important items, such as the listing of accounting software applications, to a more appropriate spot on the résumé.
At this point, the reader is engaged and continues to read the entire résumé. For specific recommendations regarding today’s résumé sample and to help you improve your own résumé, please click the image below.
Would you like to read more articles related to this entry? If so, check out these entries:
Average Résumé s Don’t Get Job Offers
If you would like a résumé critique, please contact Debra Wheatman at debra@careersdonewrite.com or visit us athttp://careersdonewrite.com. The Résumé Help blog appears weekly on Mondays.
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