You may believe that in a world of social media and online applications that a resume is not necessary. This article will offer a number of ways a resume is beneficial to your job search, all of which are designed to help you succeed in your job search. We’ll review the importance of customization, best resume format, and the various resume sections you need to include, to name a few. Let’s get started with our review of the key resume tips you need to keep in mind when creating yours.

1. A resume is a marketing tool.

The sad truth is that most people do not write particularly well. Make sure that your resume is impeccably written, and make sure it stands out. A well-constructed resume conveys that you’re an organized person. Concise resume language gives the feeling that you’re a no-nonsense individual who gets right to the point. A great resume can convince a hiring manager that you have the background that will be an asset to the company and can compel them to contact you for an interview.

2. It helps the hiring manager decide that you have the necessary skills and experiences.

A well-written, concise resume does the job of quickly telling the hiring manager that you’re the answer to their problems. When you’re writing your resume, be sure to use clear, succinct language, and focus on your achievements (especially the ones that are quantifiable), rather than on your job duties or tasks. One of the biggest resume tips you can keep in mind is this: the purpose of the resume is to sell you, and what you can do to help a company succeed. The purpose of the resume is to not catalog all of your duties and tasks from the past.

3. Customization is key.

A question I’m frequently asked is whether or not it’s necessary to customize the resume for each application. My answer is always a resounding YES. This is one the key resume tips! You have only about six seconds to impress the reader, so be sure that your resume speaks to exactly what the company is seeking. You do this by studying the job description and optimizing your resume with relevant keywords.

4. Your resume helps with your personal branding.

A resume is a marketing document that you craft to sell yourself. But in addition to that, it is also a component of your brand. You want to ensure that your resume conveys the key messages of your brand; that is, what your strengths are, what you can deliver on, and what you’re passionate about.

5. Add a little humanity and originality.

Let’s face it, most resumes read pretty much the same, and most of them are boring and sterile. How many resumes for a PR Director role can someone read before they all begin to blur together? Every single applicant is going to say they’re expert at media relations and that they’ve overseen a team of communications professionals. Say something different and say something that makes you sound like an actual person and not a machine.

Here’s one of my key resume tips: Instead of writing something like “Crisis communications expert who maximizes brand potential via various channels” in the Summary section of your resume, try “I don’t put out fires. I start them. I ignite excitement and engagement among clients. When something inevitably explodes, I add another log to the fire.”

A resume remains one of the foundational tools in the job seeker’s toolkit. Hiring managers and recruiters still want resumes, and they want them to be easy to read and to quickly answer the key questions they have. A good resume is one that benefits both the hiring manager and the job seeker; hopefully, the resume tips offered here will put you on the path to success with creating yours!
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Got a difficult problem in your job search? Say, a lack of networking contacts? Or trouble answering interview questions? Well, you've got company. Problems in a job search are as common as mosquitoes in July. But ... have you ever written your problem down on a piece of paper? I'll bet you haven't. Because, when you write problems down, you take an immediate, huge leap towards solving them. Think about it: Every great invention or solution, from the atomic bomb to the Xbox, was first worked out on paper.

Why not solve your employment problems the same way? Here's a three-step method that will help you do it ... 1) Start by asking the right questions Most folks put themselves behind the eight ball in their job search by asking questions that are depressing and demotivating. Questions like, Why won't anyone give me a job? or How do I network when I don't know anyone? Ack. Pass the happy pills. Instead, start asking questions that motivate and inspire you. Better questions to ask are: * How could I give people a reason to call me with job leads? * How did my 10 closest friends find their current jobs? How could I brainstorm with them and use their methods in my job hunt? * What worked in my last job search? The job search before? How could I do that again?

Important: Ask questions that you yourself can solve. Never depend on the government, your school, parents, family -- anyone else -- to do this for you. Because, once you give up responsibility for solving problems with your job search (or anything else), you become a prisoner of outside forces. When you ask the right questions, however, you're halfway to the answer. So write down at least five empowering questions about your job search, right now.

Then, you're ready for step two ... 2) Brainstorm at least 20 possible answers After you write down five good questions, circle the one question that looks most promising. You're going to use it to get hired faster. Let's say you write the following question down atop a clean sheet of paper: How could I give people a reason to call me with job leads? Write a number 1 below it. Write a possible answer next to that number. Then move on to number 2, 3 . and don't stop until you have at least 20 answers to your question. Not 15 or 19, but 20 answers -- or more. There's a reason for this: Left to its own devices, your brain will pull a Homer Simpson after two minutes and try to talk you into going out for donuts or beer.

Brains hate to think. Like bench pressing, thinking is strenuous work, no matter how good it may be for you. But don't let your head off the hook. Don't stop until you get 20 possible solutions. Brainstorm as if your career depended on the outcome. Because it does. Now. Most of your 20 answers won't be very good -- that's OK. Your best answer may come right after the most hare-brained. By forcing yourself to write out 20 answers, you're flushing the creative pipes while going deep into your subconscious mind to dredge up a winner. Don't knock it until you try it! 3) Take action on one solution today Choose the most promising from your list of 20 answers.

​Then, get started -- today -- to make it happen. No excuses. Let's say the most actionable of your solutions is to throw a networking party where you can meet friends, family and acquaintances, and let them know about your job search. Now. What do you need to do to make this party happen? Well, you have to make the guest list, send invitations, get the food, etc. So write down all the sub-goals necessary for the party to be a success. Check each sub-goal off your list as you complete it. Before you know it, your networking party will be a reality. After that, take the next most-promising solution from your list of 20 and make that one happen. Repeat until hired. Here's why these 3 steps work when it comes to solving problems -- clear thinking plus continuous action equals results. If you're struggling to find a job, write down clear, empowering questions of your situation. Then, brainstorm at least 20 possible solutions and take action on the best one today. When you do, you'll be that much closer to getting the job you really want, faster. Now, go out and make your own luck!

​Executive resumes are generally read by high-level recruiters, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, or Board Members. They want to know how you will help them solve their future business problems through cost savings, process improvements and revenue generation. However, nearly 90% of executive resumes do not answer that question.

Your brand and value proposition must align through all of your executive career search documents and you must showcase your quantifiable achievements. This sends a clear and consistent message across your executive resume. Whether on a LinkedIn profile, a website, or a resume, you must establish your brand. Defining your personal brand and developing content for your resume, establishes the foundation for all your personal marketing materials.

It is essential that you have an engaging and professional format, depending upon the type of company you will apply to, you will want a format that aligns with your target company’s culture. If you are applying to Apple, for example, you may desire a simple yet innovative format with a bit of color. If you are applying to a top financial institution, you may want to go with a traditional black and white format.
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Let our professional writers streamline this process for you. We will research your target company or position and consult with you to gather all of your relevant achievements to showcase throughout your executive career search documents. Contact us today to find out how we can optimize and propel your job search.