Career Resume Consulting Blog

Rockstar Resume Basics: Dos and Don’ts

Written by Tammy Kabell | Feb 10, 2014 11:06:50 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

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.