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My TOP 3s on How to Improve your Resume!

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OLIVIA JOHNSON

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My TOP 3s on How to Improve your Resume!

Building a resume that works on your own can be a tough task when unaware of what matters. Below are my top 3s on improving your resume.

Using a Headline

Headlines are crucial for highlighting your key interests, core skills, or field. If you choose to use this option, it should stand out from the rest of your resume, ideally at the top, and be easy to spot at a glance. For example: MARKETING | BRANDING | TECHNOLOGY or SALES | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | MANAGEMENT.

Resume Summaries/Qualification Statements

The debate on whether to include a summary on your resume is ongoing. My recommendation depends on individual circumstances and needs. For instance, a summary might not be necessary for a 10-year experienced IT professional seeking a similar role. However, it can be beneficial for those transitioning careers, as it highlights transferable skills and makes your case clearer to the reader. Be cautious, though—summaries can backfire if they are too specific or highlight irrelevant skills. When in doubt, consult a professional.

Keyword Optimization

Ensure you identify the core competencies required for the job, especially if you are transitioning careers. For example, if moving into Cybersecurity, your resume should reference Cybersecurity multiple times—in the headline, summary, certifications, etc., particularly in the top half of your resume.

There are many other tips for building a solid resume, and it’s essential to consider your individual circumstances.

Hope this helps!

Coach Olivia

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  1. Marty Best

    I always feel like resume advice is for people who are considering positions that are more responsible than my skill set.

    There is no way to accurately measure "answer the phone by the second ring" when 3 people can grab at it - I mean, I do it 100% of the time I'm not doing something else, but I still could only answer 20% of the time.

    I've worked enough base-level jobs adequately enough to be paid, but hiring managers know that 'created a welcoming environment' means swept the floor at the gas station and that secretaries kept the candy dish full.

    I see lots of correct info, but not info that benefits me.

  2. OLIVIA JOHNSON

    Hi Marty!

    My apologies on the late response as I somehow missed this. Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I agree depending on the line of work resumes need to be crafted differently and even more so based on the role that you are going for. There is always a way to communicate the impact someone has on the job or skills to complete a job. For example, if you were going for entry level sales roles inclusive of cold calling performance measurements, then absolutely your click time on number of calls, percentage of calls picked up, etc. would be very relevant. If you were going for customer service, then you can emphasize the number of calls you taken and can manage within a certain timeframe. If pursuing an IT role, then you would want to share the perspective of the outcome of this high volume of calls and how many are resolved, etc.

    Would recommend consulting a professional on resumes to address more customized specifics based on your experience.

    Hope this helps.

    Coach Olivia

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