Power up your resume with this small but impactful change.
Have you made a new year’s resolution to secure a new position? For some people this may be easy, but for others, particularly those who have not done it in a while, it can be quite daunting. Whichever category you fall into, an important place to start is by dusting off and updating your resume. Remember the purpose of your resume is to tell your career story in an authentic and informative way so that you introduce your achievements, experience and capabilities to recruiters and potential employers. When they read your document, they should be enticed to want to know more about you, in order to decide if you will be able to solve their problem by occupying the vacancy they currently have available.
If you have not already included it, a great way to get your resume noticed and ensure you enhance your chances of being shortlisted and included in the next stage of the selection process, is by adding a brief “Professional Summary” paragraph. Add it in just below your contact information. If the reader is only going to spend a few minutes, or even seconds reviewing your resume, ensure their attention is captured and focused on the key information you want to share about your professional journey. Provide them with what you can offer or what value you can add to their business and satisfy their what's in it for me questions.
This brief paragraph (or dot points if you prefer) is a high-level overview of your qualifications, experience, and career highlights. It is your elevator pitch. Three to four powerful sentences that emphasise your unique abilities and accomplishments. Include what it is about you that distinguishes you from everyone else.
To ensure maximum impact, keep the language simple and the statements specific and succinct. Incorporate measurable results and facts and figures where applicable.
The first sentence should be an overall summary of your relevant qualifications and experience. An example is “I am a degree-qualified and NER registered Industrial Engineer with 10 years’ experience in deploying waste reduction mechanisms in various production environments.” OR “After passionately servicing clients in the fashion retail sector for five years, I successfully helped 35 homebuyers achieve their homeownership dream in real estate.”
Use the next 1-2 sentences to articulate your unique approach and capabilities. The specific skills or behavioural enablers that make you exceptional at what you do. If you need some clues, these are the capabilities that your clients, colleagues or managers have complimented you on in the past or competencies you have identified as your own strengths.
Maybe describe your distinctive leadership style. Or add details about the depth or breadth of your experience. Perhaps mention that you have worked in multiple countries or different industries. Or make a connection between your strengths and how they enabled you to achieve something specific.
An example is “My ability to empathise with clients and solve their complex ICT queries has led to me receiving the achiever of the month award 5 times in the last year.” OR “My collaborative leadership style and ability to inspire my team of 20, has enabled us to deliver 80% of our change initiatives on time”.
Use the remaining sentences to make a connection between your achievements and the company and position you are applying for. Include words and phrases from the company website and the job advertisement. With AI and applicant tracking systems (ATS) becoming more sophisticated and gaining more popularity to screen applications, including these keywords is vital.
Do not be tempted to include a statement about your career objectives. As strange as it may sound, this paragraph should not be about what YOU want. The Professional Summary is about providing useful information so that anyone reading your resume will want to know more about you and can very quickly decide if there is initial evidence that you may be a suitable applicant for the role.
So, take your resume to the next level, add a Professional Summary and secure that interview!
If you need further advice on how to improve your resume and other application documents, please reach out to JJ Talent Solutions.
