How to get a job Thursday's!!

Hey everyone! As always a quick life update, I am traveling to Texas and home next week! I will be posting when I get back home (around Wednesday). I don’t think I will post from Texas unless the opportunity presents itself. I also joined a book club! Well joined is a strong word, but my co-workers and I started up a book club. Super excited for it! Ever since I graduated college (not even university, college so 3 years ago), I have really been slacking on my reading. Looking to get reading back into my groove! Well now that the update is taken care of lets jump right in to….Find a Job Thursday’s!!!

This will be a continuation of my first resume post:

Numero Dos: Let’s build up that resume (continued)

Showing vs. Telling

“I am the top of my class, I got a perfect score on the SAT, Number 1 in the ACT”

Vs.

“Class Rank in the top 5% , SAT score: XXXX ACT score: XXXX”

“I completely revamped the reporting system and improved its efficiency”

Vs.

“Improved X reporting system’s efficiency by 10% by streamlining work process, cleaning up back end data and decreasing queue time which increased client satisfaction by 20%”

When I would critique a resume, my first piece of advice was to always show versus tell. The examples above will show you exactly what I am talking about. Instead of stating something bluntly and as a matter of fact statement, show how you did this, how you achieved this or phrase things in a less boastful way.

In the first example, instead of telling someone that I am in the top of my class (with nothing to back it up) I am showing them by stating that I am in the top 5% of the class. This shows that you are head of 95% of the class. If you are at the top and your school uses Latin honors then, you can use terms like valedictorian or summa cum laude. These are easily recognizable and their meaning is understood to most recruiters. Instead of stating that my SAT and ACT are perfect, I show the numbers and let them do the talking (Trust me recruiters know what a high SAT/ACT score are, how relevant this is depends on the industry you are applying to).

In the second example, instead of stating that you improved/revamped something, you are showing how you did this and the effect it has on the organization. It is more impressive to show that you did this and let the reader infer from that how important it was, then simply stating that you improved it (with no context, what you defined as improved might be different than what someone else is thinking!).

Depending on the recruiter it can also come off as arrogant or boastful if all you talk about is how you were super invaluable to a company (but don’t even go into detail on what you did that was so invaluable). I am not telling you to not be proud of your accomplishment and not talk yourself up, but know how to talk yourself up and make sure to highlight key skills that will impress recruiters. Whenever possible provide data to back up your statements (Improved X by 5%, Made capital gains of 10%, increased customer satisfaction by 3 index points, etc.) This will resonate with a reader and allow them truly appreciate the work you have done.

As always stay safe and warm!!!