How to Create an Irresistible Resume
Simply Hired Staff
We all remember that very first time we saw an adorable, fluffy kitten in the window of our local shelter. Or, perhaps, the initial impressions of our spouse or significant other. Maybe it was that designer purse or luxury sports car that you idealized and swore to land the six-figure job for. Whatever the goal, one word can sum up the characteristic that had you saying “I need that in my life.”
We’re talking about the quality of being irresistible, but not necessarily in the materialistic sense. When out on the job market, one of the greatest assets you can utilize for a callback, interview, or job offer is that hard to define “it-factor” that makes you a candidate that is impossible to pass up. Simply put, you want to be irresistible and you want your resume to reflect that trait to any and all potential employers. How to go about that, however, is easier said than done. With that in mind, here are a few real-world examples to help employers in specific employment scenarios instantly recognize that you are a talent that should not be passed up.
First Corporate Job
Maybe you’re fresh out of college or have a few internships under your belt and are ready to launch into the world of big corporate. While that school credit position you took at the local regulatory agency may be a big selling factor, your summer gig flipping burgers will probably send a few hiring managers running for the hills due to your inexperience. Craft your resume in such a way as to accentuate the pre-corporate America work that will be the most applicable to your given job, despite work history or length of time accumulated in individual roles. In addition, highlight the job roles that your employer will find advantageous to avoid leaving the position off of your CV altogether.
For Example:
Original Resume Statement:
Took customer orders and disbursed appropriate change at a local burger restaurant.
Instead, Try:
Led a team of five service professionals in a fast-paced shift resulting in a 25% increase in quarterly sales.
In short, focus on results rather than actions, especially for jobs that don’t quite fit the professional role you may be applying for. These characteristics will be more easily identifiable and translatable by employers to a different position. In addition, focusing on accomplishments allows the resume reviewer to more easily identify your overarching qualities that would apply to any position, no matter the industry or experience level required.
Early or Mid-Career Move
After you get past that initial entry level position, chances are you will have other roles to include on your professional resume. The trick with these mid-level positions, however, is to focus on the foundational tasks you learned earlier which will allow you to be a better employee as you advance throughout your career. Need an example of what it takes to convince a prospective employer that you’re ready to make that next career step? Don’t worry, we have one at the ready.
For Example:
Original Statement:
As an account manager, I successfully handled 15 individual clients and maintained their contracts.
Better Statement:
As an account manager, I successfully identified the needs of a variety of individual client accounts and was able to increase productive interactions and accounts payable turnaround times.
Instead of using generic qualities, focus on your actions and outcomes to illustrate within your resume. This will allow potential employers to successfully picture you in the role and will help demonstrate how the skills you achieved earlier in your career influenced your current capabilities.
The Final Word
As you can see, the ideal irresistible resume focuses more on goals and action items than on a description of your individual job responsibilities. Focus on your strengths and building blocks gained earlier in your career instead of generic qualities you believe you possess. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. When it comes to your resume, demonstrable results will always outspeak any narrative you may craft.
Article Updated from the Original on April 22, 2019
