8 Success Factors

8 Resume Success Factors to Get Noticed!

Resume success factorsI get asked every day about resume best practices and resume success factors.

People want to know where to start, what to believe, and how to write a strong resume if: “I donโ€™t have anything awesome to share”.

Trust me; everyone has plenty of awesome things to share in their resume as addressed in this post: How to Add Achievements into Your Resume.

 

 

Other common resume questions I field:

One page, two pages, or three pagesโ“

Graphics or no graphicsโ“

Which keywords to include or avoidโ“

How far back do I go with my work historyโ“

The answer to ALL of the above is โ€˜it dependsโ€™. You are unique; therefore, your resume will be unique as well.

Unfortunately, I don’t have one magic resume formula that works for every job seeker, but for me, all great resumes stem from the same 8 success factors. The following points summarize the key areas I feel should be carefully considered to create a successful resume:

 

1. Write your resume with your audience top of mind

Yes, the resume may be all about you but it isnโ€™t meant FOR you. Have a clearly defined target picked out so content can be shaped more specifically and speak more directly to each reader’s needs.ย  General resumes don’t work.

2. Keep content relevant; tailor details

Similar to the point above, the more specific the content in a resume = the better. One, single stagnant resume can not possibly address every job’s requirements and nuances.ย  Customize your resume contentย in just a few simple steps for each application.

3. Share real-life examples of success; not generalized details or superlative statements

Fluffy details like ‘excellent people-person’ or ‘strong team leader’ don’t provide enough context. Instill confidence in the reader with specific stories and concrete examples of achievement.

4. Provide proof. Back up claims with resultsย ย 

Context without results is like a story without an ending. Employers need a way to measure ability and impact. Quantitative details help support your level of success, so be sure to share ‘how many, how much, and how often’. Proof of ability often lies within results.ย 

5. Strive for quality of content versus quantity

In a resume, more can be less. The file is not meant to act as a complete career chronology of everything you’ve ever done.ย  A resume is a marketing tool that must summarize your top-selling points succinctly.

6. Stay authentic

Never feel pressured to write your resume like someone else. Your skill sets are unique, your experiences are unique, and your value is all your own. You can’t box every single person’s career story into one type of resume format. Ensure your resume embraces your true self and shares details both uniquely and authentically.

7. Make the resume as long as you need to convey the above and not one word more

Depending on your career length, experiences, and job target, your resume length will vary. Average resume length is 1-3 pages – pick what works best for YOU; no need to conform to page length myths.

8. Emphasize your value

All of the above points must center around the value you bring to the table. Identify the pain points of each application/organization/employer and position yourself as their problem solver. To accomplish this, you need to first know thyself.ย  What do you have that your competitors do not? How can you positively impact the organization in question?

 

If you are struggling to write a resume on your own, incorporating these 8 resume success factors, reach out. My personal executive resume writing process is comprehensive and customized.ย  It is caring and collaborative.ย  It is also strategic and supportive.

Adrienne Tom

Looking to get noticed for top jobs? I can help. Visit me online at CareerImpressions.ca to learn more about my award-winning resume and LinkedIn writing services that helped C-suite executives, VPs, and directors land top jobs at billion-dollar companies, start-ups, and everything in between. โšœ ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฑ. Everyone has value to offer employers. But conveying this story in a modern, succinct executive resume isnโ€™t easy. I can do this for you. โšœ ๐—œ ๐—ผ๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ท๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜ โ€˜๐—ฎ ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—บ๐—ฒโ€™. I'm often told that my process is as valuable as the final documents. People feel more empowered and confident after our work together. โšœ ๐— ๐˜† ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—บ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐˜„๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ธ. I hear amazing success stories from my clients. For 15+ years, I have written hundreds of executive resumes and LinkedIn profiles that generated increased recognition and escalated earning power for my clients.

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