Resume Help: Profile Power

Today we are reviewing Clark’s resume.  His resume could be excellent, if the profile was not a total turn-off.  Clark is a highly-qualified program manager with nearly twenty years of experience handling multi-million dollar information systems projects.  His employers and clients include Fortune 100 companies.  However, the profile fails to pitch Clark for the top-tier candidate that he is.  Let’s take a look at what Clark wrote and then share tips about how the profile can showcase Clark’s value.

Clark’s Profile:

Career Summary

Dynamic, experienced program manager with extensive expertise in subcontract management, managing geographically diverse program teams and cost savings.

How Clark can make the profile stronger:

1.) “Dynamic” may not be the best word to lead the profile.  It could mean several things in this context, including active, lively, self-motivated, or vigorous.  It could be replaced with a word that better communicates Clark’s characteristics relevant to his career goal.   

2.) The words “manager,” “management,” and “managing” are redundant.  Try to find new ways to explain highlights of key accomplishments and scope of accountability.  Be creative and use a variety of language.

3.) Show the scope of accountability and type of work.  Clark managed a programs valued between $80 and $225 million.  That would be a real eye-catcher in the profile.  Also, he supervised large teams spanning multi-sites.  His projects included systems related to the U.S. space program, military command and control systems, and large-scale IT infrastructure.

4.) In more than one instance, Clark salvaged a high-profile program that was critical to his employer’s success.  His problem solving, process improvement, change management, and turnaround capabilities would be important to feature in the profile.  Clark would do well to identify ways in which has excelled and what differentiates him from the competition.

The profile is important because it is the first words the reader sees. It is the introduction to who you are.  In those precious few words, you have one chance to communicate why you are the candidate worthy of consideration. Miss that chance and the reader stops reading and your opportunity is lost.  If you would like help with your resume, contact me.  I would be happy to create a powerful profile (and resume) for you.