1. The 6 Best Things
Your Client Can Do
To Get Their Resume
Noticed by Employers
Maureen Nelson, M.A.
Certified Professional Resume Writer
Global Career Development Facilitator
Maureen Nelson, M.A.
Certified Professional Resume Writer
Global Career Development Facilitator
2. Maureen Nelson, M.A.Maureen Nelson, M.A.
10 years writing resumes
Contract writer for resume service
Published in The Complete Idiot’s Guide
to the Perfect Resume by Susan Ireland
Certified Professional
Resume Writer
10 years writing resumes
Contract writer for resume service
Published in The Complete Idiot’s Guide
to the Perfect Resume by Susan Ireland
Certified Professional
Resume Writer
3. CONTENTCONTENT
Which is more important?Which is more important?
DESIGNDESIGN
SummarySummary
QualificationsQualifications
ExperienceExperience
EducationEducation
AwardsAwards
EndorsementsEndorsements
NoteworthyNoteworthy
ExpertiseExpertise
AccomplishmentsAccomplishments
AchievementsAchievements
Professional membershipsProfessional memberships
4. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, you will know…
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, you will know…
Why objectives work against your client
(and what to use instead)
When to create a new resume
and when to just “tweak” it
How to serve up information
the way employers like it
Why good design matters
How to make a resume
more believable
How to make a resume stick
in a recruiter’s mind
Why objectives work against your client
(and what to use instead)
When to create a new resume
and when to just “tweak” it
How to serve up information
the way employers like it
Why good design matters
How to make a resume
more believable
How to make a resume stick
in a recruiter’s mind
6. Objective vs. profile paragraphObjective vs. profile paragraph
Objective: To obtain a position
where I can utilize my education,
and skills to advance my career.
Objective: Seeking challenging
work whereby I could perform and
accomplish to the best of my ability
and where I can enhance my
knowledge.
Objective: To secure a position
with a well established organiza-
tion with a stable environment that
will lead to a lasting relationship in
the field of finance.
Objective: To obtain a position
where I can utilize my education,
and skills to advance my career.
Objective: Seeking challenging
work whereby I could perform and
accomplish to the best of my ability
and where I can enhance my
knowledge.
Objective: To secure a position
with a well established organiza-
tion with a stable environment that
will lead to a lasting relationship in
the field of finance.
TRAINING LEAD/COORDINATOR
Dynamic training and develop-
ment professional with 10 years’
experience in the financial
industry: designed curriculum,
delivered presentations and
facilitated e-learning sessions.
Led training for customer ser-
vice, sales, collections and fraud
prevention. Recognized as Trainer
of the Month at Fortune 500
company. Consistently receive
excellent evaluations. Quickly
master new subject matter.
TRAINING LEAD/COORDINATOR
Dynamic training and develop-
ment professional with 10 years’
experience in the financial
industry: designed curriculum,
delivered presentations and
facilitated e-learning sessions.
Led training for customer ser-
vice, sales, collections and fraud
prevention. Recognized as Trainer
of the Month at Fortune 500
company. Consistently receive
excellent evaluations. Quickly
master new subject matter.
Functions
SME
Exp.
Awards
Title of paragraph matches job title
What about a Summary of Qualifications? What about a bulleted list?
7. An objective sounds like this:
“Gimme, gimme, gimme”
An objective sounds like this:
“Gimme, gimme, gimme”
A profile paragraph sounds like this:
“Here’s what I can do for you
[and your business].”
A profile paragraph sounds like this:
“Here’s what I can do for you
[and your business].”
8. MAKE IT RELEVANTMAKE IT RELEVANT
Employer’s
Requirements Job Seeker’s
Qualifications
9. Every resume/application
must be targeted to the job
Every resume/application
must be targeted to the job
Eliminate irrelevant details
Transferable situations,
environments, projects
Profile title = job
Ask yourself: What
is the employer
really looking for?
Eliminate irrelevant details
Transferable situations,
environments, projects
Profile title = job
Ask yourself: What
is the employer
really looking for?
10. Able to capably manage office and perform
routine support tasks: Manage calendars,
set up meetings and plan events, compose
correspondence, manage databases, process
expense reports. Experience answering
multi-line phones in fast-paced office.
Proven sales and account management
skills, including cold-calling and follow-up to
build long-term connections with clients.
Proficient in database and Internet searches.
Extensive experience interviewing
individuals over phone and in person.
Able to capably manage office and perform
routine support tasks: Manage calendars,
set up meetings and plan events, compose
correspondence, manage databases, process
expense reports. Experience answering
multi-line phones in fast-paced office.
Proven sales and account management
skills, including cold-calling and follow-up to
build long-term connections with clients.
Proficient in database and Internet searches.
Extensive experience interviewing
individuals over phone and in person.
11. Five years developing interactive websites.
Background in information technology,
financial services and education. Solid working
knowledge of web tools, applications, trends
and techniques: page authoring,
scripting/programming, user interface
design, accessibility, information
architecture, ecommerce, site promotion,
security, firewalls, databases, extranets.
[follow with 3-column list of tech skills]
Five years developing interactive websites.
Background in information technology,
financial services and education. Solid working
knowledge of web tools, applications, trends
and techniques: page authoring,
scripting/programming, user interface
design, accessibility, information
architecture, ecommerce, site promotion,
security, firewalls, databases, extranets.
[follow with 3-column list of tech skills]
12. What picture are your words painting for them?What picture are your words painting for them?
Ready
Selective
Tames
technical
problems
17. 3-column bulleted list
captures many areas of expertise
in a short amount of space
3-column bulleted list
captures many areas of expertise
in a short amount of space
20. Margins = about .7"
E X P E R I E N C EE X P E R I E N C E
EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE
Format > Borders and shadingFormat > Borders and shading
FractionalFractional
linespaceslinespaces
22. Eliminate Trite Phrases
by Liz Ryan
Eliminate Trite Phrases
by Liz Ryan
Team player
Results-oriented professional
Cross-functional teams
Excellent communication skills
Strong work ethic
Met or exceeded expectations
Proven track record of success
Works well with all levels of staff
Bottom-line orientation
Team player
Results-oriented professional
Cross-functional teams
Excellent communication skills
Strong work ethic
Met or exceeded expectations
Proven track record of success
Works well with all levels of staff
Bottom-line orientation
23. Another reason to
ask for a letter of
recommendation
Send out an email
requesting
feedback
Gather them on
Linked In!
Another reason to
ask for a letter of
recommendation
Send out an email
requesting
feedback
Gather them on
Linked In!
“Stan’s ability to quickly
pick up the right tone for
each article has been a
real asset. His pieces are
always well-researched,
well-written and interesting
to read.”
Naomi Swift
Managing Editor
Diablo Magazine
Add Quotes from Bosses,
Customers, Colleagues
Add Quotes from Bosses,
Customers, Colleagues
25. ADD A PROJECT PAGEADD A PROJECT PAGE
PROJECT #1: Real-time Key Operation Indicators (KOI)
GOAL Provide mgt with field-accessible, real-time report on event activities
CHALLENGES
Data sources scattered thru 6 different websites requiring individual access
No “auto-refresh” option from standard reporting system
ACTIONS
Interviewed key users to get business requirements and desired features
Wrote technical requirements to create custom report providing snapshots
Guided Perl programmer to webcrawl reports and save out as text files
Wrote Excel macro to read text files, generate web page and FTP to server
Scheduled process to refresh web page every 15 minutes
RESULT Single web page consisting of 18 different event activities, updated in
15-minute intervals, simple enough to be displayed on mobile phones. Allowed
real-time progress monitoring of inquiries, registrations, donations and more.
PROJECT #1: Real-time Key Operation Indicators (KOI)
GOAL Provide mgt with field-accessible, real-time report on event activities
CHALLENGES
Data sources scattered thru 6 different websites requiring individual access
No “auto-refresh” option from standard reporting system
ACTIONS
Interviewed key users to get business requirements and desired features
Wrote technical requirements to create custom report providing snapshots
Guided Perl programmer to webcrawl reports and save out as text files
Wrote Excel macro to read text files, generate web page and FTP to server
Scheduled process to refresh web page every 15 minutes
RESULT Single web page consisting of 18 different event activities, updated in
15-minute intervals, simple enough to be displayed on mobile phones. Allowed
real-time progress monitoring of inquiries, registrations, donations and more.
28. Insert > Text box,Insert > Text box, Format > Text boxFormat > Text box
Add Graphic/Change Text DirectionAdd Graphic/Change Text Direction
29. More at Google Images and
http://office.microsoft.com/clipart
30. MAKE IT MEMORABLE!MAKE IT MEMORABLE!
Biologist
Herpetologist
Animal Control Officer
Veterinary Assistant
Wildlife Museum Docent
31. What is the implication
for you and your clients?
What is the implication
for you and your clients?
32. Know how to use MS Word!Know how to use MS Word!
– Adult education – Books
– Online classes – Public libraries
– Free online tutorials – Technology centers
– Community colleges – Community based orgs
33. Buy resume templates online
Get inspiration from books by
the pros
Buy resume templates online
Get inspiration from books by
the pros
34. Help clients pull away from the pack…Help clients pull away from the pack…
Unique skills & experience
Unique personal qualities
Volunteer work
Recognition/awards
Professional development
Publications/presentations
Other “Noteworthies”
Quotes (3rd-party endorsements)
Unique skills & experience
Unique personal qualities
Volunteer work
Recognition/awards
Professional development
Publications/presentations
Other “Noteworthies”
Quotes (3rd-party endorsements)
Find what distinguishes themFind what distinguishes them
36. Entry-LevelEntry-Level
Challenge:
Make the most of very little
Strategy:
Include school projects, school
leadership, volunteer work, personal
characteristics, classes taken, quotes
Add a graphic
Use interesting layout, use plenty of
white space
Challenge:
Make the most of very little
Strategy:
Include school projects, school
leadership, volunteer work, personal
characteristics, classes taken, quotes
Add a graphic
Use interesting layout, use plenty of
white space
ENTER
37.
38. Mid-Level
Career Changers
Mid-Level
Career Changers
Challenge:
Show how previous experience is relevant
Strategy:
Write strong profile paragraph recasting
candidate in new role; volunteer in field
Rewrite job duties to focus on transferrable
skills and parallel environments
If retrained, list classes; quotes/instructors
List professional associations and
conferences in new field
Challenge:
Show how previous experience is relevant
Strategy:
Write strong profile paragraph recasting
candidate in new role; volunteer in field
Rewrite job duties to focus on transferrable
skills and parallel environments
If retrained, list classes; quotes/instructors
List professional associations and
conferences in new field
39.
40. Return-to-WorkReturn-to-Work
Challenge:
Convince employer they can
“hit the ground running”
Strategy:
Show how they stayed current in their
career (took classes, joined professional
associations, did consulting projects or
relevant consulting/volunteer work)
Add favorite quote from current, popular
book in field; quote from working colleague
Maybe: In resume, explain gap briefly (travel,
illness, school, caretaking, etc.)
Challenge:
Convince employer they can
“hit the ground running”
Strategy:
Show how they stayed current in their
career (took classes, joined professional
associations, did consulting projects or
relevant consulting/volunteer work)
Add favorite quote from current, popular
book in field; quote from working colleague
Maybe: In resume, explain gap briefly (travel,
illness, school, caretaking, etc.)
41.
42. Older Jobseekers / ExecutivesOlder Jobseekers / Executives
Challenge:
Convince employer you are
not too old/out of touch
Strategy:
List Skype, Twitter, Linked In info
Know current trends in field (classes
taken, articles written, presentations)
List mentoring activities
Quantify achievements to convey value
Include a “project page”
Challenge:
Convince employer you are
not too old/out of touch
Strategy:
List Skype, Twitter, Linked In info
Know current trends in field (classes
taken, articles written, presentations)
List mentoring activities
Quantify achievements to convey value
Include a “project page”
43.
44. Formerly IncarceratedFormerly Incarcerated
Challenge:
Show evidence of rehab
Strategy:
Include classes taken, certificates or
degrees earned, volunteer work,
personal characteristics, jobs while in
prison; add a graphic
Quotes: program personnel/judge/P.O.
Use interesting layout, use plenty of
white space
Challenge:
Show evidence of rehab
Strategy:
Include classes taken, certificates or
degrees earned, volunteer work,
personal characteristics, jobs while in
prison; add a graphic
Quotes: program personnel/judge/P.O.
Use interesting layout, use plenty of
white space
45.
46.
47.
48. She has been speaking and writing
on career and management for 12 years. Before
becoming a career counselor, she spent 20 years in
publishing and graphic arts.
Maureen’s resume is published in the fifth edition
of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume.
She holds an M.A. in Career Development from JFKU.
mpn@dorsey.org or (925) 708-7476.
Skype: maureenpnelson • Twitter: @maureencareer
http://www.MaureenNelsonCareerCoach.com
She has been speaking and writing
on career and management for 12 years. Before
becoming a career counselor, she spent 20 years in
publishing and graphic arts.
Maureen’s resume is published in the fifth edition
of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume.
She holds an M.A. in Career Development from JFKU.
mpn@dorsey.org or (925) 708-7476.
Skype: maureenpnelson • Twitter: @maureencareer
http://www.MaureenNelsonCareerCoach.com
Maureen Nelson is Manager of Adult
Career Services at the Oakland Private
Industry Council (OPIC), a One Stop
Center in EastBayWorks. Previously, she
worked at Goodwill of San Francisco.
Maureen Nelson is Manager of Adult
Career Services at the Oakland Private
Industry Council (OPIC), a One Stop
Center in EastBayWorks. Previously, she
worked at Goodwill of San Francisco.