Level Up Your Resume: Crafting a Job-Winning Profile

In today’s fiercely competitive job market, your resume serves as your professional portrait – a snapshot of your career that can make or break your chances of landing that dream job. But how do you transform your resume from a mere list of experiences into a compelling narrative that captures the attention of employers and recruiters alike? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a well-crafted resume is essential for job seekers, and there are specific strategies you can use to make yours stand out. By tailoring your resume to the specific job you’re applying for, highlighting your achievements and skills, and using clear and concise language, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers. 

Understanding Modern Resume Trends

The landscape of resume writing has evolved significantly in recent years. Today’s employers and recruiters expect more than just a chronological list of your past positions. They’re looking for a strategic document that clearly communicates your value proposition and aligns with their specific needs.

One of the most significant shifts in resume trends is the growing importance of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These software tools, used by many companies to streamline their hiring process, scan resumes for relevant keywords and qualifications before they ever reach human eyes. This means your resume needs to strike a delicate balance:

• It must be optimized for ATS to ensure it passes the initial screening.
• It should remain engaging and readable when it reaches human reviewers.

To achieve this balance, focus on incorporating industry-specific keywords naturally throughout your resume while maintaining a clear, concise narrative of your professional journey.

Structuring Your Resume for Maximum Impact

The foundation of a job-winning profile lies in its structure. Depending on your career level, industry, and specific circumstances, you’ll want to choose the resume format that best showcases your strengths:

• Chronological: Ideal for those with a steady career progression in one field.
• Functional: Beneficial for career changers or those with employment gaps.
• Combination: A hybrid approach that highlights both skills and experience.

Regardless of the format you choose, certain sections are essential in any modern resume:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary 
• Work Experience with Top Achievements
• Education
• Skills

For senior professionals or those in specialized fields, consider adding sections for publications, speaking engagements, or technical proficiencies.

Crafting a Compelling Professional Summary

Your professional summary is your elevator pitch – a concise yet powerful introduction that sets the tone for the rest of your resume. This 3-4 sentence paragraph should encapsulate your professional identity, key strengths, and soft skills.

When writing your summary, consider these key elements:

• Your professional title or area of expertise.
• Years of relevant experience.
• Top 2-3 skills or qualifications that set you apart.
• A notable achievement or unique value proposition.

Here’s an example of an effective professional summary:

“Results-driven Marketing Manager with 8+ years of experience in digital marketing and brand development. Expert in database management and segmentation techniques. Proven track record of increasing online engagement by 200% and driving $2M in additional revenue through innovative campaign strategies. Highly organized and efficient independent worker who thrives in a high-pressure and time-sensitive environment. Collaborates and communicates with cross-functional teams to bring compelling integrated marketing campaigns that increase brand awareness, nurture target audience, and boost sales.”

Showcasing Your Skills and Achievements

The heart of your resume lies in how you present your skills and achievements. It’s not enough to simply list your responsibilities – you need to demonstrate the impact you’ve made in your previous roles.

Start by categorizing your skills:

• Hard skills: Technical abilities specific to your field
• Soft skills: Interpersonal and transferable skills
• Technical skills: Proficiency with relevant tools and technologies

When describing your achievements, use the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) method to create compelling bullet points:

• Problem: Identify a challenge you faced
• Action: Describe briefly the steps you took to address it
• Result: Quantify the outcome, using metrics wherever possible

For example:

“Streamlined inventory management process, reducing stockouts by 30% and increasing overall efficiency by 25%.”

Remember to use strong action verbs to begin each bullet point, such as “spearheaded,” “implemented,” or “optimized.” These power words add dynamism to your resume and help paint a picture of your proactive approach to work.

Optimizing Your Resume for ATS and Human Readers

To ensure your resume makes it past ATS and impresses human reviewers, consider these optimization strategies:

• Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume.
• Use standard section headings that ATS can easily recognize (e.g., “Work Experience” instead of “Professional Journey”).
• Stick to common fonts like Arial or Calibri, and use a font size between 10 and 12 points.
• Avoid using tables, graphics, or complex formatting that may confuse ATS.
• Save your resume in a widely compatible format like .docx or .pdf.

While optimizing for ATS, don’t forget the human element. Use white space effectively, employ bullet points for readability, and ensure your resume tells a coherent story of your professional growth.

Tailoring Your Resume for Specific Opportunities

One size does not fit all when it comes to resumes. To maximize your chances of success, tailor your resume towards the next step, the position you want to apply to:

• Research the company culture and values.
• Analyze the job description for key requirements and preferred qualifications.
• If your resume does not already align your experience and skills with the specific needs of the role then make sure you revise it. 
• Use industry-specific language and acronyms where appropriate.
• Make sure that you write a customized cover letter that aligns with the position and the company, and highlight one or two bullets that address the most important qualifications they are seeking. 

For career changers or those with non-traditional backgrounds, focus on highlighting transferable skills and relevant projects or volunteer work that demonstrate your capabilities in the new field.

Enhancing Your Resume with Additional Elements

To give your resume extra punch, consider incorporating these elements:

• Relevant certifications and training
• Volunteer work or community involvement
• Language skills and international experience
• Publications, presentations, or notable projects
• Include a Cover Letter

These additional elements can set you apart from other candidates and provide talking points for interviews.

Proofreading and Refining Your Resume

Before sending out your resume, take the time to thoroughly proofread and refine it:

• Use online tools like Grammarly for initial checks.
• Read your resume aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
• Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to review it.
• Double-check that all information is accurate and up-to-date.

Common mistakes to avoid include inconsistent formatting, typos, and outdated contact information.

Complementing Your Resume with a Strong Online Presence

In today’s digital age, your resume is just one part of your professional profile. Enhance your job search by:

• Aligning your LinkedIn profile with your resume
• Creating a personal website or online portfolio if appropriate 
• Managing your digital footprint across social media platforms (nothing is private these days!)

A cohesive online presence reinforces your professional brand and provides additional avenues for employers to learn about your skills and experiences.

Transform Your Resume, Transform Your Career

Crafting a job-winning profile is both an art and a science. By understanding current resume trends, structuring your document effectively, showcasing your achievements, and tailoring your approach to each opportunity, you can create a resume that not only passes ATS screening but also captivates human readers. Remember, your resume is a living document – continue to update and refine it as you grow in your career.

At Be Productive Coaching, we specialize in helping professionals like you elevate their careers through expert resume writing and career coaching services. Ready to take your resume to the next level? Contact Be Productive Coaching and schedule your free consultation for personalized guidance and expert support in crafting your job-winning profile.

There is no perfect time like the present. Yes, even during COVID-19.

The truth is that if you wait for a perfect time to change jobs you may wait a long time. The right time to change a job is the minute that you start thinking of doing so. The present time is always the best time. Chances are you have good reasons to want to make this transition and I am here to tell you that you shouldn’t wait.

I am well aware that more than 50 million Americans have filed for unemployment since the start of the pandemic and this is definitely something to be concerned about. However, the most recent US Department of Labor release shows that the weekly unemployment claims dropped below one million for the first time since March according to a Wall Street Journal article from Aug 13, 2020, and although the numbers are still high this should not hold you back from looking for your next opportunity.

Here is why this is the right time for you to start looking.

• Number one – Companies are still hiring!
• People are moving – many people have taken this time to re-evaluate their situations and have decided to relocate which means that jobs locally are starting to open up.
• Lack of happiness – people were not happy with their jobs before the pandemic and are still planning on changing jobs.
• Better opportunities – as humans our need for growth is still there and many are still searching for more money, more responsibility, better benefits, etc.
• Fulfillment – this pandemic has put things into perspective for many. More and more people are looking to change jobs that are no longer exciting for them. They have either outgrown their careers or they were in a career that they didn’t like and have taken this time to align themselves and their future.

As daunting as it may be to look for a new job during a global crisis, there are still opportunities to be found. Here are some reasons to consider changing jobs amid COVID-19.

• Excitement and Joy – do you wake up excited and ready for the day or do you wake up dreading your work? This is a huge indication that you may be ready for a change.
• Uninspired – do you leave work every night worn-out, deflated, and uninspired? Life is too short to hate your job.
• Purpose and Alignment – the pandemic gives you an invitation to reflect and align your career with your values and lifestyle. If you are like many of us, you’ve taken some of the downtimes to really evaluate where you are and where you want to go. For many, this includes their careers. Ask yourself if your current job aligns with your strengths and your purpose and if it doesn’t then that’s an indication that you are ready to move forward.

If you are lacking excitement, joy, purpose, and alignment and feel uninspired then the time is now. Here are some ways that you can prepare for your job search:

• Take an online class that may help you build on your transferrable skills.
• Get clear – really think about what you want to do next. Think about the lifestyle you want to have (work from home, travel, flexibility, etc). Think about what fulfills you. What is your expertise? What sets you apart from your competitors?
• Career Strategy – once you get clear, its time to create a career strategy. Identify companies of interest, job titles, and read job descriptions. Use the 80/20 rule – if you can do 80% of the work and it excites you then that’s a good fit.
• Network – The smartest way to transition is to connect with people in the field and organizations of interest. We are all craving connection so this is the best time to reconnect with old friends, friends of friends, old colleagues, and members of college alumni networks.
• LinkedIn – is the world’s largest professional network with 706+ million users in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. 95% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find top-notch candidates.  Make sure that your profile is strategically updated and that your professional brand makes you stand out from the crowd.
• Resume – make sure your resume is updated and ATS friendly. Focus on your major accomplishments and make sure that the resume strategy is clear.
• Interview Preparation – most interviews are taking place over the phone and via video. Practice and make sure that your space at home if you are working from home is set up for good video and connectivity.

It’s time to get you out of paralysis analysis and into a thriving career. Do work that brings you excitement and fulfillment. Life is too short to hate your job. You will be happier, and your family, friends, and coworkers will be happier to be around you.

Do you have a personal experience with transitioning during the coronavirus you’d like to share? Please email [email protected]m and tell us your story.

Not sure where to start? Book a complimentary 30-minute discovery consultation. SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Most people dread interviews. Wait, let me rephrase that…most people hate interviews. I have heard so many people say that they wish that interviews were not a part of the process. But how else would a potential employer know if you are a good fit? I can certainly understand why you would dread or hate interviewing. Not only are you going in to speak with a stranger about your work experience, but in most cases, you are hoping that they will hire you. Many times the fear of rejection sets in from when you are asked to come in for the interview or jump on that phone or Zoom call.

I like to compare interviewing with dating. Most of us feel a sense of excitement and, at the same time, a sense of anxiety and fear when we are first asked to go on a date. You are excited that you are getting the opportunity to go on a date with someone who interests you and happy that the person has shown interest in you as well. Still, you have no idea what to expect. You start planning what you are going to wear, you may practice your greeting, and these days you may even look them up on Facebook or Google them. You prepare for the date so that you feel more at ease and so that perhaps you can have the opportunity for a second date.

Well, interviewing for a potential job is no different. Just like you prepare or prepared (if you are no longer dating) for that special date, you should also prepare for the interview with your potential employer.

Following are a few tips to help you prepare and stop hating interviews:

• Research the company by getting to know their mission, vision, and any latest news. Check to see if you know anyone who works there and perhaps give them a call to find out what they like about the company.
• Get the name of the person you will be meeting with and look them up on LinkedIn and Google.
• Put a list of at least ten questions that you will ask during the interview.
• Practice! Grab a friend or colleague and ask them to mock interview you. Put together a list of questions and practice, practice, practice.
• Make networking a part of your practice. Reduce your fear of meeting and talking to a stranger by getting out to network. If you cannot network in person, then network on LinkedIn and ask them to join you for coffee or a Zoom call. Speaking to strangers and asking questions to get to know them will improve your conversational skills and reduce the fear that creeps up during interviews.
• Visualize your interview. Work through the questions in your mind and begin to answer questions that may come up. I always recommend practicing the “tell me about yourself questions.”
• Write down what has made you nervous in interviews in the past. Then work through those points to overcome them.
• Make a list of your accomplishments. Everything you are proud of, read it out loud, then read it to a friend and then practice saying it to your friend without the list.
• Find out what the dress code is and take it up a notch and wear something that makes you feel good. Make sure you pull out your outfit and try it on a few days before to make sure it fits well and looks professional.
• Work out! Yes, before going to your interview, do something to move your body. Preferably cardio. Try to take the day off if you can or go in late to work so that you have time to exercise. Get your sweat on and release those endorphins. These endorphins trigger positive feelings and will get you in the right state of mind before the interview.

These tips should help ease the nervousness and anxiety that comes from interviewing. Also, do not forget that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Make sure you ask all the questions you need to determine if this is a good fit for you as well. 

 

 

Need help with interview preparation? A small investment can go a long way in your preparation and help you set yourself apart. Set up a free consultation to learn more about our packages: www.beproductivecoaching.com/contact

Challenges exist when you are in a job search. Nowadays with so many laid off or furloughed the competition is a little tighter which means that you have to be proactive in your job search.

Here are 10 proactive tactics that you can take:

1. Professional Branding Tools: Make sure your resume and LinkedIn are aligned and that the titles, skills, and accomplishments showcased are focused on the jobs that you are applying to. This is #1 – if you don’t already have this then get this step done before you do anything else.
2. Cover Letters: I cannot stress how important these are. Any recruiter or hiring manager can tell you how few cover letters they see. With cover letters being so rare this is a sure way to set yourself apart. Make sure you are adding value by telling them why you would be a good fit, what you love about their company or their mission, and list 3-5 things you would offer in the role you are interested in. Don’t forget to end strong and request a time to meet.
3. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Recruiters: Turn on this feature in LinkedIn and include the titles you are interested in to show recruiters that you are open to opportunities. 
4. Turn on Job Notifications on LinkedIn: These will come to you as soon as something is posted so that you can apply immediately.
5. Reach Out Directly: Research recruiters in your industry and reach out to them directly. You can do the same for an HR person or the actual hiring manager. If you cannot find an email then go the old fashioned way and mail them a letter with your resume.
6. Network: Tell at least 5 people a day that you are looking for a job. Enlist your network:
   1. Your family and friends – be clear on what you are looking for: title, companies, tasks
   2. Professional contacts – people you have worked with or know through the industry.
   3. Loose connections – people you are connected to but don’t really know.
7. Make a Short List: Identify companies you would want to work for, make a list, and target them directly even if they do not have an opening. 
8. Find an In: Research if you know anyone at your target companies or know anyone that does. Ask for an introduction. 
9. ATS systems: Complete the questions on the ATS systems even if you are uploading your resume.
10. Be Prepared: You must be ready at all times. Practice your interview with a friend or family member and record yourself if you can. Know what you are going to wear and have a printed copy of your resume. 

Need more assistance or have questions? Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://beproductivecoaching.com/contact/

One of the most frequent questions I get is how to optimize LinkedIn and have a profile that makes you stand out. In today’s market having online professional branding, presence could be the difference between you and the next candidate. With 95% of recruiters searching on LinkedIn you cannot afford not to have a presence and you want to put your best foot forward. Here are six key areas to customize and pay particular attention to. The time to update or create a profile is now. The economy will open up and you want to be ready when it does. Take this time during #saferathome to get yourself ready and put your best foot forward.
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1. Head-shot & Cover Photo: You must have one. Make it professional and if possible make sure you are looking at the camera. Upload a cover photo that reflects who you are as a professional.
2. Headline: This is prime real estate. Make sure that you optimize it with the best keywords.
3. About Section: Use it! Tell the story of your career and offer the reader an understanding of what makes you competitive.
4. Customize URL: Remove the odd numbers that LinkedIn generates. This should be just your name and if it’s common then include a middle initial or something that differentiates you such as DR, MBA, PA, etc.
5. Experience: Make sure it matches your resume and quantify your accomplishments.
6. Skills & Endorsements: Update this section with your top skills and ask for endorsements.

Not comfortable writing about yourself and don’t know where to start? I can help I am offering 50% off all of my services now through May 31st. Schedule a free consultation- www.beproductivecoaching.com/contact

These are indeed uncertain times for all of us amid this Coronavirus outbreak. It’s the topic everywhere…on TV, Radio, Social Media, etc. Everyone is talking about how we can protect ourselves, practicing social distance, all the toilet paper that is missing from the shelves…etc. But the truth is that this is the first time we all experience something like this, which is why we see all of the reporting, panic, and opinions.

Some of us may remember living through Anthrax, West Nile Virus, SARS, Human Influenza, MERS-Cov, Ebola, Measles, Zika, and Chikungunya, but none of those were Pandemics. According to my research from 1900-2020, there have been 5 Pandemics (Sources: https://www.who.int/csr/don/archive/country/usa/en/ & https://www.mphonline.org/worst-pandemics-in-history/) as follows:

• HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC (AT ITS PEAK, 2005-2012): Death Toll: 36 million / Cause: HIV/AIDS  
• FLU PANDEMIC (1968): Death Toll: 1 million / Cause: Influenza 
• ASIAN FLU (1956-1958): Death Toll: 2 million / Cause: Influenza
• FLU PANDEMIC (1918): Death Toll: 20 -50 million / Cause: Influenza
• SIXTH CHOLERA PANDEMIC (1910-1911): Death Toll: 800,000+ / Cause: Cholera

As of March 15, 2020, YTD, we’ve seen 5,839 deaths from Coronavirus worldwide (Source:https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/), and from what we are all learning we will continue to see that number rise which means that we must do our part to keep our selves and our communities safe. We also need to prepare to continue with our lives and the changes that this may bring.

An area that is already being affected is the job market. With all of the events that have been canceled, the theatres, museums, and businesses that have closed, we see that the effects of this virus go way beyond a health crisis. In preparation, I want to talk to you about how you can prepare for your job search and career planning during these uncertain times.

We’ve all seen that many companies are now implementing working remotely because the business must go on. My gut says that as the weeks go on and the uncertainty remains, we’ll start seeing the rise of “virtual interviewing”. What does this mean? It means that if you are currently looking for work or looking to transition sometime in 2020, you MUST get your telephone interviewing and video interviewing techniques on point. This means practicing and getting comfortable over the phone and video.

The next thing we may also start to see is a slowdown in decisions because they may wait to see what is happening with the economy and/or they may decide they want to meet you in person before making a final decision. This is the time for you to be patient and communicate well on their timeline.

Here are some tips to make sure your phone and video interview go well:

• Be aware of your environment – Get rid of distractions – they can cost you the job: Pets, Loud Noises (typing, etc.), People in the background, Messy Desk, or Background. Try to use a blank wall as your backdrop and do not do it in public.
• Lighting – Make sure you have good light around your face and in the room.
• Personal Appearance – Look professional from head to toe. You never know if you must get up.
• Eye Contact – Always keep video at eye level and maintain eye contact with the camera. Edited 3/16/20: Check out my friend Ray Franklin’s new post “Look them in the Eye – A Primer to Improve Video Conference Eye Contact” the video tutorial in this post gives you some great tips on how to practice. Click on this link to view: http://www.stageamerica.com/audienceadvocate-blog/videocalleyecontact?fbclid=IwAR0e976jkfd3BijBaFs9Cq5vubPIjv_yRnMVtrHYhw7NcTXmerbNjsYXn_0
• Seating & Posture – Don’t move around in your chair and make sure you keep good posture.
• Camera – If your camera does not work well, then purchase an external camera.
• Audio – Make sure your audio is excellent and, if not, purchase an external mic.
• Connection – Try not to be on WIFI and connect to a hard connection.
• Test – Ask what Streaming Service they will use and test it out.
• Practice – Use Google Hangouts or Zoom to practice with a friend.
• Notes – Use sticky notes on your computer screen for things you do not want to forget.
• Be prepared. Be yourself.

The third thing we need to prepare for is what can happen as a result of a financial crisis. We’ve all seen the wall street rollercoaster this past week, and we have no idea where we will end up, but with all the closings and shutdowns, we could be heading towards a financial crisis. This, unfortunately, could lead to the restructuring of businesses and layoffs. We may not see this right away as this takes a little bit of time as companies come up with a strategy to restructure, but this is the time for you as a professional to make sure that you are prepared for whatever comes.

This means that all your professional branding tools should be updated and ready to go. This includes your Resume, LinkedIn, Cover Letters, and Interview Skills. You do not want to be caught unprepared and scrambling to put these together at the last minute. So, take this time to plan ahead and prepare yourself.

If you want to learn more about how to update your professional branding tools, check out this other article I wrote https://www.linkedin.com/post/edit/6636042944530964480/ or feel free to email your questions to [email protected].

Interested in career coaching or creating a career transition strategy? Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/vimariroman/free-consultation?month=2020-03