Communicating Passion- The Key to an Effective Resume

Communicating Passion- The Key to an Effective Resume

As a job seeker, creating a resume that garners interviews can seem like a daunting task. Articles on the topic frequently emphasize the importance of having correct keywords, as well as staying within the 1-2 page limit when submitting for most positions. However, simply attaining these technical requirements is NOT enough to get your phone ringing! Effectively communicating passion, both in regards to your career and target position, is critical to a successful job search. Here are 3 proven strategies:

1) CREATE AN OPENING SECTION

Jumping straight into your work history without an introduction means missing out on an opportunity to TARGET the resume. Analyze job postings you're interested in and identify 4-5 in-demand skills that you possess. For example, a candidate for a Senior Sales Representative position could focus on his/her ability to develop new customer relationships, lead promotional campaigns, and offer dedicated staff training. Now create a brief paragraph DEMONSTRATING these attributes:

"Versatile sales professional adept at exceeding targets through forging new customer relationships and capitalizing on industry contacts. Expert in developing high-impact promotional campaigns and expanding staff capabilities through hands-on training and mentoring."

A well-written opening section ensures a powerful first impression and drives reader interest in delving into your work history.

2) OFFER CONTEXT WITHIN YOUR WORK HISTORY

Don't make the mistake of creating a work history consisting of a laundry list of skills. Recruiters and hiring agents are interested in CONTEXT. What were the results of what you did, and how did it help achieve your employer's aims? For example, take the following lines:

"Worked with 6 sales staff and offered advice. Created marketing campaigns and promotions to help boost readership of 3 company websites. Helped price products against competition."

Do the above lines make a candidate sound like an accomplished professional, one who can excel in a new position? Inserting contextual details can make all the difference. Take a look at this revised version:

"Guided 6 sales representatives in garnering new accounts and offering 1-on-1 service and support. Conceived and launched targeted marketing campaigns, as well as special promotions driving traffic to company websites. Gained competitive edge through aggressively pricing products."

3) EMPHASIZE WHAT YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF

Accomplishments have value whether they can be broken down into quantifiable metrics or no. Go through your work history. Did you maintain profitability during an industry downturn? Did you help introduce a new system, or optimize processes? Did you gain expert-level training? These are all valuable details that can go a long ways towards presenting a well-rounded portrait of your career. Create a "Key Accomplishments" section per position detailing them.

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