top of the stack resumes: 5 ways to break through a noisy job market

Top of the Stack Resumes

Webinar Presentation

July 8, 2009Presenter: Christine Farmer, Resumes for Results

© Christine Farmer 2009 Permission requested for reproduction or distribution.

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Top of the Stack Resumes

5 Ways to Break Through a Noisy Job Market

Christine FarmerFounder/Principal Consultant

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Agenda Break Through the Noise

Job Search Challenges Branding YOU, Inc. 5 Ways to the Top

Resume Components Resume Goal and Purpose Content and Format

Market & Self-Assessment Writing for Impact Ready for Hire!


Economics of supply & demand

Stand-out in a noisy job market

Avoid the “black hole”

Employers seek best-of-the-best

The most important document in your career

Job Search Challenges


Interesting Facts… 3 seconds to make a positive impression 10-30 seconds to review a resume 1-in-245 resumes result in an interview 80% are screened solely with the resume < 1% keep or respond to unsolicited resumes 84% say <5years experience for 1 page 80% say a cover letter is important 100% expect Thank-You notes 80% of jobs landed through networking

Source: Association for Job Search Trainers., Charlotte Community College


8 Laws of Personal Branding Specialization

Leadership

Personality

Distinctiveness

Visibility

Unity

Persistence

Goodwill

Source: Peter Montoya - http://www.petermontoya.com/mt_who_and_what/index.asp


Branding YOU, Inc. Self-Assessment

Know yourself, your competition and your value-proposition

Create a compelling story about YOU Experiences, talents, attributes, skills Passions, values, work ethics

Your message communicated consistently Across multiple venues, vehicles and media Resume – hard copy, on-line, modified versions Social networking – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.. Elevator pitch – personal/professional networking

Success is achieved when it… Invokes a positive reaction and action is taken!


5 Ways - Getting to the Top…

1 Illustrate your unique value proposition

2 Make key points early AND upfront

3 Select formats to show off strengths

4 Use text that makes a human connection

5 Strategic execution -“confluence of contacts”


Resume Goal and Purpose Get to “Wow!”

3 seconds for a GREAT 1st impression Convince the reader to TAKE ACTION Get the call and in the door NOW!

An “Ad” about YOU… Make YOUR story come alive! Not an autobiography or job description Unique and quantified qualifications, skills, expertise

RESUME - “U” before “ME”… Convey how you “perfectly match” the job/company needs Professional virtues, style and company “fit” Format type reflects job targets


Truthful Honest, accurate, verifiable

Tone Action words, your “vernacular” & personality

Expertise and Experience Industry standard disciplines, practices, tools, methods Your innovative solutions, strategies, tactics

Differentiation How did you made a difference? What value did you create? What YOU did that NO ONE ELSE accomplished?

Accomplishments – S-O-A-R (S)ituation (O)pportunity and obstacles (A)ctions taken (R)esults - size, scope, depth, reach

Content


Choice Chronological vs. Functional vs. Combination

Clean Easy to read

Check Spell and Reality

Concise 2 pages (CV/Technical+ and Legal -)

Consistent Text, titles, bolding, underlines

Copies Hardcopy - MSWord, Adobe Online - ACSII Text, Scannable Internet Presence -LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook

Format


High-Impact StructureChronological/Combo

Name Headline Summary Expertise Accomplishments Experience Education, Prof. Development, Training Certifications/Licenses Honors/Commendations/Awards

WOW ZONE


JOHN H. STARR, CPA 1001 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York, 01001 555-121-5554 [email protected]

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Accounting Management – Financial Management – Controllership

A senior financial manager with exceptional leadership and keen business partner skills. Manages and influences with accountability and accuracy. Results-driven and focused on improving operations and efficiencies. Makes tough decisions under high-pressure.

SELECTED MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Appointed and served as Financial Advisor to CEO/Owner of privately held $800 million corporation. • Maximized owner’s net worth by 20%. Realized more than $10 million in savings and efficiencies.• Researched and identified oversight in charge-back expenses to Fortune 500 customer. Recouped $4 million to the bottom-

line.• Advised and managed $5 million loan repayment in only 6 months. Ensured proper financial reporting and integrity of

operations.• Investigated and secured $1 million in overdue sales taxes from commercial rental property. Repayment saved 5% annually.• Served as Commander in U.S. Army National Guard. Directed 35-soldier Medical Evacuation unit in Bagdad, Iraq for 12

months• Piloted black-hawk helicopter. Managed 108 emergency rescue operations for United States service men and women.

Accounting Management Financial Management Controllership General Ledger Accounting Planning, Analysis & Reporting Sarbanes-Oxley & GAAP Cash Management Budgeting & Forecasting Policies & ProceduresAccount Reconciliation & Closing Variance and Investment Analysis Internal/External AuditsForeign Subsidiary Consolidation Productivity & Cost Controls Tax Preparation & Filings

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

STARR INTERNATIONAL WORLDWIDE COMPANIES, $800 million accounting firm. New York, New York

Financial Advisor to Chief Executive Officer 2003 Present

• Directed accounting & financial management functions. Executed due diligence in accounting principles, practices, procedures.

• Managed general ledger accounts and reconciliations, monthly closing schedule.• Led cash management operations, fixed assets, loan covenants, accounts receivable/payable and payroll.• Prepared for executive review monthly, quarterly and annual forecasts, budgets, reports and financial statements.• Coordinated audits in compliance with GAAP regulations with no significant findings or commentary.


JOHN H. STARR, CPA 1001 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York, 01001 555-121-5554 [email protected] Page 2.

STARR INTERNATIONAL WORLDWIDE COMPANIES, (CONTINUED)

Finance Manager 2000-2003• Managed non-core business interests, real estate, personal assets, retirement, succession and tax planning for S-Corporation.• Directed accounting management for $10 million real estate (commercial and residential) and leasing company operations.• Provided real estate investment analysis and coordinated purchase transactions with owner, property managers & legal

counsel.• Directed estate planning including, grantor retained annuity trusts, investment trusts, leasing and offshore entities

WHITE & WHITNEY ASSOCIATES, Certified Public Accounting firm. New York, New York. 1998-2000Supervisor • Supervised staff on audit engagements including non-profit, government agencies, and government compliance.• Reviewed and prepared federal and state income tax returns; individual, partnership, S-Corporation, and corporate returns.

STERLING, GOODMAN AND HOOVER, Certified Public Accounting firm, New York, New York 1996-1998Senior Accountant• Compiled and audited various organizations, including commercial real estate property management and construction• Planned, organized and served as in-charge accountant for $200M corporation. • Analyzed and prepared interim and yearly financial statements. Forecasted and reported profit-and-loss and cash flow.• Compiled comprehensive reports for submission to state agencies.• Oversaw monthly G/L closing entries, ADP payroll system and sales and use tax compliance.

UNITED STATES ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, OTIS ANGB, Cape Cod, Massachusetts 1998 – PresentMajor, Commander of Medical Evacuation Company.

• Dedicated 22 years of service, including 17 years as a commissioned officer. • Deployed as Commander of 35-soldier MedEvac unit in Bagdad, Iraq in support of Operation Steel Curtain Mission. • Trained as black-hawk pilot.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONSCertified Public Accountant (CPA), State of New York, 1997.Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Union College, 1996.

mailto:[email protected]


Get Started…or Re-started Homework

Research your target companies and jobs Content:

Strategic inner work Professional inventory strengths and weaknesses By section, ask questions to reveal answers

Format: Choose the optimal format for your message

The Pay Off… Builds your confidence in the mission Prepares key messages for resume and the interview Primes “your” differentiation in “company’s” terms


What companies are you targeting? www.hoovers.com/free www.google.com/top/business

• What companies are hiring? What jobs are available?• Job boards• Company websites – Direct and Agents• Network with companies and employees via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter

What titles and job descriptions interest you? www.occupationalinfo.org

What is the job description terminology? Convert company specifics to new target

Find examples of resumes with same targeted job description

Skills, talents, accomplishments, experience

Market Research

http://www.hoovers.com/free

http://www.google.com/top/business

http://www.occupationalinfo.org/


Self-Assessment • What…

• are your goals – short and long term?• new or existing responsibilities will you experience? • skills do you have vs. need to develop?• makes you unique or extraordinary?

• Inventory of your skills vs. job requirements• “T” account and map 1-for-1

• Maximize your job prospects• Step out of your comfort zone• Transfer your skills into jobs available

• What job titles are you targeting?• Exact• Modified• New

• Will this job be at the right level?• Next position – and long term?• Short-term win – long term obstacle?• Or survival…


Take Inventory

Job Description Skills Tools Techniques Technologies Systems Strengths

Your Experience


Write for Impact Name Headline Summary Expertise Accomplishments Experience Education, Prof. Development, Training Certifications/Licenses Honors/Commendations/Awards

WOW ZONE


Your marquis to attract a hiring manager/agent May match job description title exactly, if qualified Use industry standard titles vs. internal company titles Objectives are less popular -“Me” vs. “company-centric”

Sub-Head Directs reader to your key areas of expertise 3 major areas may be re-prioritized based on job sought Powerful impact if “spot on”

Headline

MARKETING MANAGEMENT Industry Innovation • Turn-Key Execution • Achieves Results


Summary A short paragraph about your “fit”

List 2-3 major functional areas of focus and experience. How many years in this area? What are the major transferable skills?

Knowledge, methodologies, tools, techniques Who did you work with, engage, support?

Customers, partners, vendors, executive clients What personal virtues best describes you?

Determination, perseverance, enthusiasm, drive, collaboration, innovation, dynamism, clear communications, analytics etc…

Action Word List - http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/543/02/

Senior marketing leader • Big-picture thinker with creative, recurring, results-driven tactics • Innovates break-through, “first-in-industry” campaigns • Passionate execution and precision •

On-strategy, on-time, on-budget • Pragmatic acuity in business, financial, project and management • Articulate, fact-based negotiator, decision-maker, influencer across management levels.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/543/02/


Key words to match up with requirements List 2 or 3 columns with strategic major headings Left column is usually the highest priority List models, methods, procedures, standards,

functions, tools, techniques, processes, models, metrics, industry standard practices, protocols, systems, technologies

Strategic Execution Lead Generation CommunicationsBusiness Plans Merchandising Web DesignProduct Launch Promotion Customer EventsP&L/Forecasts Channels Media Relations

Areas of Expertise


Big, bold career-making achievements 3-5 major efforts – in scope, depth and numbers Success stories despite obstacles and road-blocks Bottom-line value - revenue, savings, productivity, efficiencies,

expansion, consolidation “Attaboys” and any other testimonial “quotes” Example:

(S) Field needed technical training. Only 1 in 3 techs receive proper training from Corporate

(O) $250K funding eliminated for travel & materials (A) Suggested and developed web-based training (R) 300 field techs trained. Customer satisfaction increased from 60%-95%. Revenue

increased 20%. Other areas interested.

Proposed and created company’s 1st web-based training series – 48 US; 4 in AMEA; 12 in Europe in 3 months. Preserved $250K in expenses. Revenue increased by 20%. Customer satisfaction ratings increased by 58%.

Accomplishments


Experience Value-add to get the job done

Titles, company names and dates 1 sentence describing the company 2-3 lines job, focus, responsibility, scope, budget, size. 3-6 bullets on key experiences with bottom-line impact

• What was the experience? What was the deliverable or solution?• Who benefited? With whom did you support, leverage, engage,

optimize? How was this managed, communicated, resolved? • Ask “WHICH RESULTED IN?”…for each bullet

MARKETING MANAGER January 2003 – Present Electronics, Inc., a $225M global consumer electronics provider. New York, NY. Developed and executed innovative marketing strategies, plans and programs, including, branding; pricing and positioning; advertising; merchandising; communications and channel programs. Managed $2.5M budget. • Led new, worldwide product launch team. Achieved$5M in new sales - 175% revenue increase revenue in 3 years;

10% average market share growth.• Developed company’s 1st integrated, promotion calendar and planning tool. Increased sales efficiencies by 98%.

Reduced $1M in headcount and operating costs.


Last, But Not Least… Education, Prof. Development, Training

Dates may be removed based on circumstance

Certifications/Licenses Scientific or technical professions may lead on page 1

Professional Honors/Commendations/Awards Scope and reason for achieving award

Personal Achievements vs. Interests Separate section Based on relevance or illustration of your message, brand and

differentiation


Branding …in review

Develop and execute your job search strategy

After you land the interview …

Touch-base and prep your references

A marathon – not a sprint – but perseverance pays off!

Ready for Hire!


Thank You!Christine Farmer

[email protected]

Your QuestionsSubmit your questions in the box on the right of your screen