Resumes Lessons from a Can of Soup

Many food companies are savvy enough to know that most shoppers read food labels, despite being short on time. A label with eye-catching key statistics can give that product an edge over another product, especially if that product touts qualities such as low sugar, low calories, and zero trans fat.  Companies are wise to invest in smart labelling strategies.  

What does the calorie count on a can of soup have to do with your resume?   Resumes designed with the candidate’s top values visible at a glance are highly-effective.  Like grocery shoppers, recruiters and hiring managers are short on time.  Your resume is like that can of soup on the shelf with 100+ other cans.  Getting noticed means communicating your value quickly.   Your top values should be communicated at the top of your resume.

Tips from a Soup Can:

1.) “Ready in Minutes”

A feature of your favourite soup may be that it is ready in minutes.  Can you hit the ground running?  Demonstrate this by including a core competencies section to show your major job skills, as well as a technical expertise section to show your computer proficiencies.

2.) “140 Calories per Serving”

Counting calories helps to manage your weight.  Counting words on your resume are also important. If it takes you 45 words to describe an accomplishment, challenge yourself to say it in 25 or 30 words.  Like the label reader, resume readers want you to keep it concise.

3.) “See Recipe on Back”

If you have a can of mushroom soup, you can make a number of quick dinner recipes ranging from beef stroganoff to sauces.  Are you adaptable?   Show your adaptability on your resume by sharing several projects that you led, listing your range of skills and giving examples of the range of functions that you performed or supported.  Show various facets of your experience that relate to your career goal.

4.) “2.5 Gram of Fat”

That’s a lean soup.  Are you a lean manager?  Are you known for trimming the fat in the budget?  Do you consistently deliver projects under budget?  Have you consolidated operations or technologies to reduce expenses and boost profit?  Those are terrific accomplishments to include on your resume.

5.) “Made with Organic Ingredients”

Many shoppers are looking for the lowest price.  Others will pay a bit more for organic products.  Do you have a unique selling feature that brings a benefit to your target employer?  Perhaps you have an Ivy League education, earned your Project Management Professional certification, or have 13 years of experience in the Latin American marketplace.  Those are characteristics that distinguish you from others.  Share that information in the top portion of your resume. 

Borrow these lessons from a cap of soup to create a powerful new brand via your resume!  Share your key values at the top of your resume in the profile section and the core competencies section.  This will entice the readers to continue reading, just as the can of soup draws the shopper to pick up the can.