6 Things you can do to help get your client\'s resume noticed by employers

1. The 6 Best Things
Your Client Can Do
To Get Their Resume
Noticed by Employers
Maureen Nelson, M.A.
Certified Professional Resume Writer
Global Career Development Facilitator
Maureen Nelson, M.A.
Certified Professional Resume Writer
Global Career Development Facilitator

2. Maureen Nelson, M.A.Maureen Nelson, M.A.
 10 years writing resumes
 Contract writer for resume service
 Published in The Complete Idiot’s Guide
to the Perfect Resume by Susan Ireland
 Certified Professional
Resume Writer
 10 years writing resumes
 Contract writer for resume service
 Published in The Complete Idiot’s Guide
to the Perfect Resume by Susan Ireland
 Certified Professional
Resume Writer

3. CONTENTCONTENT
Which is more important?Which is more important?
DESIGNDESIGN
SummarySummary
QualificationsQualifications
ExperienceExperience
EducationEducation
AwardsAwards
EndorsementsEndorsements
NoteworthyNoteworthy
ExpertiseExpertise
AccomplishmentsAccomplishments
AchievementsAchievements
Professional membershipsProfessional memberships

4. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, you will know…
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, you will know…
 Why objectives work against your client
(and what to use instead)
 When to create a new resume
and when to just “tweak” it
 How to serve up information
the way employers like it
 Why good design matters
 How to make a resume
more believable
 How to make a resume stick
in a recruiter’s mind
 Why objectives work against your client
(and what to use instead)
 When to create a new resume
and when to just “tweak” it
 How to serve up information
the way employers like it
 Why good design matters
 How to make a resume
more believable
 How to make a resume stick
in a recruiter’s mind

5. MAKE IT SELLMAKE IT SELL

6. Objective vs. profile paragraphObjective vs. profile paragraph
Objective: To obtain a position
where I can utilize my education,
and skills to advance my career.
Objective: Seeking challenging
work whereby I could perform and
accomplish to the best of my ability
and where I can enhance my
knowledge.
Objective: To secure a position
with a well established organiza-
tion with a stable environment that
will lead to a lasting relationship in
the field of finance.
Objective: To obtain a position
where I can utilize my education,
and skills to advance my career.
Objective: Seeking challenging
work whereby I could perform and
accomplish to the best of my ability
and where I can enhance my
knowledge.
Objective: To secure a position
with a well established organiza-
tion with a stable environment that
will lead to a lasting relationship in
the field of finance.
TRAINING LEAD/COORDINATOR
Dynamic training and develop-
ment professional with 10 years’
experience in the financial
industry: designed curriculum,
delivered presentations and
facilitated e-learning sessions.
Led training for customer ser-
vice, sales, collections and fraud
prevention. Recognized as Trainer
of the Month at Fortune 500
company. Consistently receive
excellent evaluations. Quickly
master new subject matter.
TRAINING LEAD/COORDINATOR
Dynamic training and develop-
ment professional with 10 years’
experience in the financial
industry: designed curriculum,
delivered presentations and
facilitated e-learning sessions.
Led training for customer ser-
vice, sales, collections and fraud
prevention. Recognized as Trainer
of the Month at Fortune 500
company. Consistently receive
excellent evaluations. Quickly
master new subject matter.
Functions
SME
Exp.
Awards
Title of paragraph matches job title
What about a Summary of Qualifications? What about a bulleted list?

7. An objective sounds like this:
“Gimme, gimme, gimme”
An objective sounds like this:
“Gimme, gimme, gimme”
A profile paragraph sounds like this:
“Here’s what I can do for you
[and your business].”
A profile paragraph sounds like this:
“Here’s what I can do for you
[and your business].”

8. MAKE IT RELEVANTMAKE IT RELEVANT
Employer’s
Requirements Job Seeker’s
Qualifications

9. Every resume/application
must be targeted to the job
Every resume/application
must be targeted to the job
 Eliminate irrelevant details
 Transferable situations,
environments, projects
 Profile title = job
 Ask yourself: What
is the employer
really looking for?
 Eliminate irrelevant details
 Transferable situations,
environments, projects
 Profile title = job
 Ask yourself: What
is the employer
really looking for?

10. Able to capably manage office and perform
routine support tasks: Manage calendars,
set up meetings and plan events, compose
correspondence, manage databases, process
expense reports. Experience answering
multi-line phones in fast-paced office.
Proven sales and account management
skills, including cold-calling and follow-up to
build long-term connections with clients.
Proficient in database and Internet searches.
Extensive experience interviewing
individuals over phone and in person.
Able to capably manage office and perform
routine support tasks: Manage calendars,
set up meetings and plan events, compose
correspondence, manage databases, process
expense reports. Experience answering
multi-line phones in fast-paced office.
Proven sales and account management
skills, including cold-calling and follow-up to
build long-term connections with clients.
Proficient in database and Internet searches.
Extensive experience interviewing
individuals over phone and in person.

11. Five years developing interactive websites.
Background in information technology,
financial services and education. Solid working
knowledge of web tools, applications, trends
and techniques: page authoring,
scripting/programming, user interface
design, accessibility, information
architecture, ecommerce, site promotion,
security, firewalls, databases, extranets.
[follow with 3-column list of tech skills]
Five years developing interactive websites.
Background in information technology,
financial services and education. Solid working
knowledge of web tools, applications, trends
and techniques: page authoring,
scripting/programming, user interface
design, accessibility, information
architecture, ecommerce, site promotion,
security, firewalls, databases, extranets.
[follow with 3-column list of tech skills]

12. What picture are your words painting for them?What picture are your words painting for them?
Ready
Selective
Tames
technical
problems

13. MAKE IT ORGANIZEDMAKE IT ORGANIZED

14. Use tables or columns to organize
information
Use tables or columns to organize
information

15. Tables or
columns…
Tables or
columns…

16. NETWORKING RESUMENETWORKING RESUME

17. 3-column bulleted list
captures many areas of expertise
in a short amount of space
3-column bulleted list
captures many areas of expertise
in a short amount of space

18. MAKE IT VISUALLY APPEALINGMAKE IT VISUALLY APPEALING

19. Eliminate Short PagesEliminate Short Pages

20. Margins = about .7"
E X P E R I E N C EE X P E R I E N C E
EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE
Format > Borders and shadingFormat > Borders and shading
FractionalFractional
linespaceslinespaces

21. MAKE IT BELIEVABLEMAKE IT BELIEVABLE

22. Eliminate Trite Phrases
by Liz Ryan
Eliminate Trite Phrases
by Liz Ryan
 Team player
 Results-oriented professional
 Cross-functional teams
 Excellent communication skills
 Strong work ethic
 Met or exceeded expectations
 Proven track record of success
 Works well with all levels of staff
 Bottom-line orientation
 Team player
 Results-oriented professional
 Cross-functional teams
 Excellent communication skills
 Strong work ethic
 Met or exceeded expectations
 Proven track record of success
 Works well with all levels of staff
 Bottom-line orientation

23.  Another reason to
ask for a letter of
recommendation
 Send out an email
requesting
feedback
 Gather them on
Linked In!
 Another reason to
ask for a letter of
recommendation
 Send out an email
requesting
feedback
 Gather them on
Linked In!
“Stan’s ability to quickly
pick up the right tone for
each article has been a
real asset. His pieces are
always well-researched,
well-written and interesting
to read.”
Naomi Swift
Managing Editor
Diablo Magazine
Add Quotes from Bosses,
Customers, Colleagues
Add Quotes from Bosses,
Customers, Colleagues

24. Quotes

25. ADD A PROJECT PAGEADD A PROJECT PAGE
PROJECT #1: Real-time Key Operation Indicators (KOI)
GOAL Provide mgt with field-accessible, real-time report on event activities
CHALLENGES
 Data sources scattered thru 6 different websites requiring individual access
 No “auto-refresh” option from standard reporting system
ACTIONS
 Interviewed key users to get business requirements and desired features
 Wrote technical requirements to create custom report providing snapshots
 Guided Perl programmer to webcrawl reports and save out as text files
 Wrote Excel macro to read text files, generate web page and FTP to server
 Scheduled process to refresh web page every 15 minutes
RESULT Single web page consisting of 18 different event activities, updated in
15-minute intervals, simple enough to be displayed on mobile phones. Allowed
real-time progress monitoring of inquiries, registrations, donations and more.
PROJECT #1: Real-time Key Operation Indicators (KOI)
GOAL Provide mgt with field-accessible, real-time report on event activities
CHALLENGES
 Data sources scattered thru 6 different websites requiring individual access
 No “auto-refresh” option from standard reporting system
ACTIONS
 Interviewed key users to get business requirements and desired features
 Wrote technical requirements to create custom report providing snapshots
 Guided Perl programmer to webcrawl reports and save out as text files
 Wrote Excel macro to read text files, generate web page and FTP to server
 Scheduled process to refresh web page every 15 minutes
RESULT Single web page consisting of 18 different event activities, updated in
15-minute intervals, simple enough to be displayed on mobile phones. Allowed
real-time progress monitoring of inquiries, registrations, donations and more.

26. MAKE IT MEMORABLEMAKE IT MEMORABLE

27. AVOID TIMES. INSTEAD, TRY:AVOID TIMES. INSTEAD, TRY:
Garamond | Georgia | Palatino
Tahoma | Helvetica | Verdana COLORCOLOR

28. Insert > Text box,Insert > Text box, Format > Text boxFormat > Text box
Add Graphic/Change Text DirectionAdd Graphic/Change Text Direction

29. More at Google Images and
http://office.microsoft.com/clipart

30. MAKE IT MEMORABLE!MAKE IT MEMORABLE!
Biologist
Herpetologist
Animal Control Officer
Veterinary Assistant
Wildlife Museum Docent

31. What is the implication
for you and your clients?
What is the implication
for you and your clients?

32. Know how to use MS Word!Know how to use MS Word!
– Adult education – Books
– Online classes – Public libraries
– Free online tutorials – Technology centers
– Community colleges – Community based orgs

33.  Buy resume templates online
 Get inspiration from books by
the pros
 Buy resume templates online
 Get inspiration from books by
the pros

34. Help clients pull away from the pack…Help clients pull away from the pack…
 Unique skills & experience
 Unique personal qualities
 Volunteer work
 Recognition/awards
 Professional development
 Publications/presentations
 Other “Noteworthies”
 Quotes (3rd-party endorsements)
 Unique skills & experience
 Unique personal qualities
 Volunteer work
 Recognition/awards
 Professional development
 Publications/presentations
 Other “Noteworthies”
 Quotes (3rd-party endorsements)
Find what distinguishes themFind what distinguishes them

35. Strategies for Different Kinds
of Job Seekers
Strategies for Different Kinds
of Job Seekers

36. Entry-LevelEntry-Level
 Challenge:
 Make the most of very little
 Strategy:
 Include school projects, school
leadership, volunteer work, personal
characteristics, classes taken, quotes
 Add a graphic
 Use interesting layout, use plenty of
white space
 Challenge:
 Make the most of very little
 Strategy:
 Include school projects, school
leadership, volunteer work, personal
characteristics, classes taken, quotes
 Add a graphic
 Use interesting layout, use plenty of
white space
ENTER

38. Mid-Level
Career Changers
Mid-Level
Career Changers
 Challenge:
 Show how previous experience is relevant
 Strategy:
 Write strong profile paragraph recasting
candidate in new role; volunteer in field
 Rewrite job duties to focus on transferrable
skills and parallel environments
 If retrained, list classes; quotes/instructors
 List professional associations and
conferences in new field
 Challenge:
 Show how previous experience is relevant
 Strategy:
 Write strong profile paragraph recasting
candidate in new role; volunteer in field
 Rewrite job duties to focus on transferrable
skills and parallel environments
 If retrained, list classes; quotes/instructors
 List professional associations and
conferences in new field

40. Return-to-WorkReturn-to-Work
 Challenge:
 Convince employer they can
“hit the ground running”
 Strategy:
 Show how they stayed current in their
career (took classes, joined professional
associations, did consulting projects or
relevant consulting/volunteer work)
 Add favorite quote from current, popular
book in field; quote from working colleague
 Maybe: In resume, explain gap briefly (travel,
illness, school, caretaking, etc.)
 Challenge:
 Convince employer they can
“hit the ground running”
 Strategy:
 Show how they stayed current in their
career (took classes, joined professional
associations, did consulting projects or
relevant consulting/volunteer work)
 Add favorite quote from current, popular
book in field; quote from working colleague
 Maybe: In resume, explain gap briefly (travel,
illness, school, caretaking, etc.)

42. Older Jobseekers / ExecutivesOlder Jobseekers / Executives
 Challenge:
 Convince employer you are
not too old/out of touch
 Strategy:
 List Skype, Twitter, Linked In info
 Know current trends in field (classes
taken, articles written, presentations)
 List mentoring activities
 Quantify achievements to convey value
 Include a “project page”
 Challenge:
 Convince employer you are
not too old/out of touch
 Strategy:
 List Skype, Twitter, Linked In info
 Know current trends in field (classes
taken, articles written, presentations)
 List mentoring activities
 Quantify achievements to convey value
 Include a “project page”

44. Formerly IncarceratedFormerly Incarcerated
 Challenge:
 Show evidence of rehab
 Strategy:
 Include classes taken, certificates or
degrees earned, volunteer work,
personal characteristics, jobs while in
prison; add a graphic
 Quotes: program personnel/judge/P.O.
 Use interesting layout, use plenty of
white space
 Challenge:
 Show evidence of rehab
 Strategy:
 Include classes taken, certificates or
degrees earned, volunteer work,
personal characteristics, jobs while in
prison; add a graphic
 Quotes: program personnel/judge/P.O.
 Use interesting layout, use plenty of
white space

48. She has been speaking and writing
on career and management for 12 years. Before
becoming a career counselor, she spent 20 years in
publishing and graphic arts.
Maureen’s resume is published in the fifth edition
of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume.
She holds an M.A. in Career Development from JFKU.
mpn@dorsey.org or (925) 708-7476.
Skype: maureenpnelson • Twitter: @maureencareer
http://www.MaureenNelsonCareerCoach.com
She has been speaking and writing
on career and management for 12 years. Before
becoming a career counselor, she spent 20 years in
publishing and graphic arts.
Maureen’s resume is published in the fifth edition
of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume.
She holds an M.A. in Career Development from JFKU.
mpn@dorsey.org or (925) 708-7476.
Skype: maureenpnelson • Twitter: @maureencareer
http://www.MaureenNelsonCareerCoach.com
Maureen Nelson is Manager of Adult
Career Services at the Oakland Private
Industry Council (OPIC), a One Stop
Center in EastBayWorks. Previously, she
worked at Goodwill of San Francisco.
Maureen Nelson is Manager of Adult
Career Services at the Oakland Private
Industry Council (OPIC), a One Stop
Center in EastBayWorks. Previously, she
worked at Goodwill of San Francisco.