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Rockstar Resume Basics: Dos and Don’ts

Feb 10, 2014 5:06:50 PM

Your resume is more than a few facts about yourself on paper. Your resume is actually your 30 second commercial to your potential employer.

If you look at your resume as a quick opportunity to sell yourself, you might take a different perspective. Creating a rockstar resume is vital -- it could mean the difference between grabbing the attention of your next employer, or getting shifted to the bottom of a stack of candidates.

Your resume is your chance to sell your set of skills, strengths, experience and education

sell yourself resume dos and don'ts

To create a rockstar resume, you need to first create your unique selling proposition. This unique selling proposition is the reason that you stand out above other candidates.

Remember: A rockstar resume explains what sets you apart

To create a resume that represents your unique combination of skills and expertise, follow this set of dos and don’ts:

Executive Career Search Resume Dos

  • Keep your resume limited to one page.
  • Include the job titles that you want at the top of your resume.
  • Choose and include keywords that are related to the job you want.
  • The first third of your resume should address how you made a company money or saved money for a company.
  • Sell your transferable skills and relevant experience.

Executive Career Search Resume Don’ts

  • Don’t include dates of college graduation.
  • Don’t include beginning and ending months of employment.
  • Never include personal hobbies and interests.
  • Do not simply include job titles. Expand on titles with descriptions and achievements.
  • References do not need to be included on the resume. References are better used when given later.
  • Never include the phrase, “References available upon request”.
  • Exclude past job salary information.

Next Steps for Creating a Rockstar Resume:

  1. Look at these sample resumes and resume templates
  2. Learn how your resume fits into your executive branding creation.
  3. Create and manage your online executive job search presence.
Tammy Kabell

Written by Tammy Kabell

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