Simple Tip to improve your Resume

If you are in career search mode then I don’t have to tell you the importance of having a well written resume.  What I will tell you is that resume writing has changed dramatically over the past few years and it is more important then ever to make sure your resume stands out from the crowd.

One simple technique that I use when writing resumes for my clients is utilizing a well-placed testimonial. (more…)

Resume evaluation – entry level

After reviewing your resume using our proprietary 100 point scale, your score is 42 out of 100.  There are many area where your resume can use improvement.  Since we will be writing your resume and addressing these flaws, I will only point out the major mistakes here in this evaluation.  To start with, the summary and section and qualifications section should be combined.  I applaud you for adding a summary statement and not just a simple objective, as that is a trap a lot of entry level job seekers fall into.  The summary has to be tight, 4 sentences is ideal with the last sentence acting as your objective.

The glaring mistake with your resume is the use of the person pronoun “I.”  This is a major flaw and the use of pronouns in a resume is never acceptable.  Since a resume is a personal documentation regarding your experience and education, the “I” is assumed and should not be added.  Another mistake is that you focus too much on extra curricular activities instead of your work experience.  The bulk of your resume should focus on jobs that you help and the skills you developed.  Extra curricular experience is good but should be kept to a minimum.  Other flaws include the layout and design of your resume(or lack thereof)  there is no theme or continuity and it certainly does not scream “hire me.”  I can continue, but I think you get the point.

Stayed tuned for the new and improved resume.

Free Resume Critique

This week, I am evaluating a  resume  from an entry level job seeker, who just graduated in 2008.  I am glad she came to me for advice and I am also glad that she has enlisted my resume writing service because she really needs some help.  This will be a 3 part post.  I will post the before resume below.  I will then follow that up with my resume critique and then since I am writing her resume, I will also show you the finished product.  My hope is that by looking at the before and after, you will be able to gain some knowledge and tips on what you can do to improve your own resume.  Of course, if you are looking to outsource your resume writing to a professional, you can always email me at info@careercopilot.com for more information.

Here is the before (personal information omitted to protect the innocent)

 

Summary

 

I am a recent graduate from the University of South Florida.  I am currently seeking a challenging opportunity to initiate my professional career. 

 

I have always enjoyed the competition of athletics and have previous experience working with a professional sports organization.

 

I have been very active on campus with a variety of activities where I organized and managed effective programs and initiatives.

 

I am confident that my organizational skills and leadership ability will prove to be an asset within your organization.

 

Qualifications

 

·        Both fun and dependable:  voted most likely to “make you laugh” and a “go-to” person on campus when something has to get done

 

·        I consistently take on leadership roles and obtain results: planning successful events (sorority Olympics) and organizing recruitment drives

 

·        Willing to take on new tasks and challenges: served as Kappa Delta Vice President and have served as President during transition periods

 

·        Training skills: responsible for development of new members within the sorority

 

·        Very dependable, on past jobs I have always been committed to succeed and exceeded employer expectations

 

 

Work/Experience History

 

·        Seminole Hard Rock Casino / July 2008 to present / Retail sales

·        Tampa Bay Lightning / 2007 / Interned within the sales organization

·        Bakers Shoes / 2004-2005 / Retail sales

 

Education

 

·        BS University of South Florida / Graduated December 2008 / Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

 

Achievements and Responsibilities

 

1.       Member of Rho Lambda, Greek honor society

 

2.       Kappa Delta Sorority:

·        Vice-President, in charge of overall control and development of the New Members

·        Guard, in charge of the installation of new chapter officers and organization of all ritualistic services

·        Maintenance of the operating budget

 

3.       Panhellenic Council:

·        Executive Board (VP of Communications), responsible for all public relation efforts for the Panhellenic Association / served as a Liaison between Panhellenic Association and community organizations

·        Planning and successful conclusion of recruitment week for over 300 women

·        Responsible for sorority marketing

 

4.       I was responsible for a committee whose objectives were: improving public and USF Relations and Inter-Greek Liaison    

 

5.       Durant High School:

·        Awarded Outstanding Senior of the Year

·        Played varsity golf and tennis 4 years, and served as team captain

Resume Evaluation

Jennifer it looks like your resume could use a little work.  The average score for all the evaluations we have conducted over the last 3 years is 71.  The fact is that over 95% of all resumes have serious flaws.  The good news is that most of these flaws can be corrected.

 

           To start with the format and the “look and feel’ can be improved upon.   The layout that you are using is very outdated and does not present your experience in the best light.  The top 1/4 of page one will always be seen first, so this is where you need to make it clear what you do and why it is important to the reader. You are not giving your reader any compelling reason to scroll further down the page to learn more about you. Recruiters receive hundreds of resumes per day and spend less than 10 seconds looking at a resume. It is imperative that your resume convey to the reader your specific expertise and level of experience in 5-10 seconds. In that same time frame, it must also be very obvious how you meet the requirements of the job.  This section should set the tone for the entire resume.

            We noticed two critical errors that may be preventing you from getting more interviews.  Your resume lacks a theme and you are revealing that you are currently unemployed.  We have helped thousands of job seekers remedy these situations.

• Theme Thematic and cohesive flow of a resume is the most critical factor for employment candidacy traction, and without it — no matter how good a job seeker is — (s)he will be disqualified! A resume, a marketing piece promoting a unique matrix of talents, must have continuity, tell a compelling, persuasive and interesting story, and it must sing — and sing the right tune. Most resumes are “contaminated” by career path aberrations — common issues that can be corrected. The theme can be complex and / or multidisciplined that is understandable, relatable and inviting. The career progression, coupled with an ‘interesting story with a plot’ — a unique combination of marketing and story-telling, catapults a resume above all others.

 

 

• Unemployed   In this employment climate, you’re not alone and it is nothing to be ashamed of. However, the appearance of being out of work serves as a weakness: “There must be something wrong with you.” And, of course, this is a false and common assumption. The popular approach of stating in a resume why you are not working puts you on the defense and apologizes for this dilemma. “The company downsized or relocated,” “cared for ailing parents,” “company went out of business,” or “recruited by another employer” will cast consternation. This, too, is a replacement weakness. Whether you have been out of work for a few days or more than a year, there are approaches that eliminate the unemployed appearance with no offsetting defect.

 

 

 

 

 

             When I say these things, please understand that I am are not criticizing your background, just how it’s presented. Addressing these issues will make your job search much easier. Ie would be happy to work with you to fix these issues.  It is very easy to get started, simply email me at info@careercopilot.com and we will go from there.

Free Resume Critique

A major part of my career consulting business is centered on writing resumes for my clients.  As a way to promote my services, I routinely offer free resume critiques.  I thought it would be helpful to my readers to post some of the resume evaluations, that we you can see the major blunders that most people make and the best ways to fix them.  Once a week, I will post a resume (personal information removed) and then post a brief write up about what is wrong and ways to make improvements.  Instead of helping just one person I will be able to help many.

Here is the resume we are evaluating this week:

CAREER OBJECTIVE:  Sales and Marketing – Corporate and National Account Management/Development

 

 REALTY PARTNERS, Rosemont, IL

 

January 1997 –  May 2008 – Broker

·     Industrial Real Estate (manufacturing and warehousing) with a territory of Lake County

·     Responsibility to secure exclusive listings with sellers, landlords and tenants for appropriate buildings

With square footage of 10,000-200,000.

 

IKON OFFICE SOLUTIONS, Vernon Hills and Lisle  (11 years)

 

January 1997 –  May 2008 – Named Account Executive

·     Marketing a total solution which provides for office equipment, facilities management, technology services and outsourcing for any and all communication requirements.

·     Responsibility for established accounts and developing new placements and opportunities for products, software and outsourcing.  Clients and prospects include Transamerica, Holy Family Medical Center, Kraft Foods, Walgreen’s, PriceWaterhouse, and Central States Pension Fund

·         Earned President’s Club 1998 and 2002 (top 5 reps in given assignment qualify)

 

MSR ADVERTISING, Chicago

 

November 1995 – December 1996 – Account Executive                                          

·         Responsible for securing new business to provide full-service advertising and marketing which includes print (ads and collateral) broadcast, direct mail and market research.  Develop client needs to create programs that enhance and sell their products.

 

VINCENZO INTERNATIONAL, Chicago

 

January 1995 – October 1995 – Major and National Account Executive

·         Marketed tin boxes and canisters for packaging, promotional and collector editions to the gourmet food and cosmetic industries.  Set up and participated in trade shows (Candy Show, Fancy Food Show, Cosmetics Show, New York Gift Show).  Territory assignment was open and included nationwide travel.  Clients and prospects included Godiva Chocolates, LaTempesta Biscotti, Andes Candies, LaParfumerie, Ralston Purina, Anheuser-Busch, Avon Products, Tootsie Roll, Blue Diamond Almonds, Republic of Tea, Peerless Coffee.

 

DANKA INDUSTRIES, Chicago

 

July 1993 – January 1995 – Major and National Account Executive

·         Managed and further developed large account base to secure placements of high volume duplicators, mid-and low-volume copiers and facsimile equipment manufactured by Sharp Electronics and Ricoh Corp.  By 5^th month in territory achieved 158% of plan and finished the year at 253% of plan.

·         Account Responsibility:  Chicago Title and Trust, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northern Trust Bank, DeVry Institute, Bell & Howell, JMB Realty, Encyclopaedia Britannica.

OCE-OFFICE SYSTEMS, INC., Chicago

 

January 1992 – July 1993 – Major Account Marketing Executive

·         Developed new commercial territory in downtown Chicago assignment; secured new business.

·         Account Responsibility:  Quaker Oats, Stone Container, American Medical Association, Hyatt Hotels, Playboy Enterprises, Wrigley, Illinois Central Railroad

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                 

 

 

THE SHARPER IMAGE, San Francisco and Chicago

 

February 1989 – February 1990 – Corporate Account Executive / Midwest Regional Manager    

·         Developed incentive and sales promotion accounts in a nine-state geographic area, reporting to the National Sales Manager at Corporate Headquarters in San Francisco.

·         Successfully developed and implemented a strategy to secure new accounts which resulted in over $1 million in incentive programs from Hyatt Hotels and Allstate Insurance.

 

XEROX CORPORATION, San Francisco and Chicago      (14 years)

 

June 1978 – February 1989 – National Accounts Manager

·         Optimized customers/Xerox potential (pricing, unit placements in established accounts, as well as non-Xerox accounts); provided continuity and stability between the customer and Xerox.

·         Major accounts managed included Wang Labs, Digital Equipment, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Architects, C&H Sugar, Dolby Labs, Johnson Publishing, Holiday Inns and JMB Realty

July 1976 – October 1976 – Senior Customer Representative

·         Provided on-site and classroom training on all Xerox products to new clients and Xerox trainees.

 

XEROX ACHIEVEMENTS:

Presidents Club winner, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1982, 1979 (exceeded 150% of plan each year)

Par Club, 1979-1987 (exceeded 100% of plan each year)

Completed Career Development Program, Management Studies Program, and Panel Interviews for Management

XEROX TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

 

Acting Sales Manager, On-Going

Account Management Training, Leesburg, Virginia, 1988

Office Equipment Expo 1984 Coordinator

Panel Interviews for Management, 1982-1984

Professional Awareness and Career Development, 1977

Professional Selling Skills (PSS), 1978

Customer Rep Duplicator Training, Leesburg, Virginia, 1977

Customer Rep Basic Training, Leesburg, Virginia, 1976

Xerox 2830 National Product Launch Committee, Chicago

In-Branch Equipment Trainer, Low-and Mid-Volume Products, Chicago

 

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

 

STRONG LEADERSHIP:

Good communication skills, both verbal and written

High sense of urgency

Takes ownership

Strong work ethic

Extremely organized and structured

Excellent record keeping

Good follow-up and Teamwork

 

SUCCESS ORIENTED, CONSISTENTLY OVERACHIEVES OBJECTIVES:

Various monthly team leader awards, other contest recognition and spiffs

 

EXCELLENT WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICE:

Knows resources and maintains good rapport

Develops trust and willingness to work together

 

DEMANDING MARKETPLACE EXPERIENCE:

Comfortable with an extremely demanding customer base, with large account responsibility

 

EDUCATION:

Highland Park High School, Highland Park, IL and Evanston Business College, Evanston, IL

 

INTERESTS:  Adventure travel, photography, creative arts, non-fiction, cooking, healthy living/exercise