Learn the basic elements of a modern resume and how to stand out to employers so your resume doesn't end up in the trash bin. Topics include: purpose of resume, elements of a bad resume, elements of modern resume, how to stand out, powerful verbs, using action-outcome wording for job descriptions, converting CV to resume, functional resumes, and how to write cover letters.

1. How to Create a Stand Out Resume
www.resumebynico.com

2. Purpose of Resume
Not to get it thrown in the trash bin
Get you an interview
Market yourself

3. 6 second rule
Name
Current job title
Previous job title
Education
Skills
Start/end dates

4. Bad resume
Objective
Full sentences
Inconsistent tense
Hobbies
Listing responsibilities
Bad formatting
IRRELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

5. Basics of a modern resume
Include URLs – LinkedIn, a published paper, etc.
Doesn’t have to be Times New Roman; Calibri Light is my go-to
Professional headline instead of Objective
Use words specific to the job to which you are applying
More than 1 page
List achievements rather than responsibilities
RELEVANT INFORMATION ONLY

6. How to STAND OUT
Professional headline
Summary of skills
Descriptive job titles
Simplify
Use powerful verbs
Show accomplishments with numbers
Add testimonial or visual, when appropriate

7. Professional headline

8. Summary of skills

9. Summary of skills

10. Descriptive job titles

11. Simplify
"Is this information absolutely
imperative to include, from the
employer's perspective?"
Irrelevant
Redundant
Extra words
X
X
X

12. Utilize white space
Improves legibility
TEXT BOXES ARE YOUR FRIEND

13. Use powerful verbs
Advanced
Collaborated
Designed
Developed
Enhanced
Exceeded
Implemented
Generated
Facilitated
Refined
Simplified
Streamlined
Troubleshot
Trained

14. Show accomplishments with numbers

15. Add visuals, when appropriate

16. Add visuals, when appropriate

17. !p:
add
tes!monial
Add testimonials, when appropriate

18. Reminders
Always include start and end dates
Read job description thoroughly – BORROW THEIR WORDS!
Create a different version resume for each position
Save and send as PDF
PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD

19. Reminders

20. Use action-outcome wording
Performed an organizational gap analysis to examine the fit/
misalignment between the internal organizational processes
and the external market environment
Increased the effectiveness of the HR department by
providing data-driven solutions for reducing role conflict and
ambiguity
Led a team of six to design a formative evaluation plan of a
new leadership program for the purpose of program
improvement and identifying metrics to measure success
Trained employees on strategies to build general
competencies and psychological resources such as
motivation, optimism, confidence, and resilience when
engaging in cross-cultural interactions

21. Use action-outcome wording
Facilitated group planning meetings and delegated
responsibilities to team members according to individual
strengths
Assisted in the provision of recommendations for issues of
burnout faced by employees by means of designing systems
to increase employee engagement in the future
Assigned responsibilities to team members according to
individual strengths in order to increase team effectiveness
and efficiency

22. Functional Resume

23. Converting CV to resume format

24. Cover letter
Setting the stage
Related experience with specific examples (1-2 paragraphs)

25. Cover letter
What makes you stand out
Professional goal + call to action

26. Key Takeaways
Purpose of resume – don’t get it thrown in trash bin
Modern resume “rules”
Relevant information only
Use keywords from job description
DIFFERENT RESUME FOR EACH POSITION

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