3 Simple Tricks to Make Your Resume Pop

by Debra Wheatman on Feb 4, 2011 in Resume Writing, Resume Writing Advice

I have written a lot of blog articles about resumes over the past several years and given you a lot of advice; but today’s blog is going to focus on some simple fixes that can make your resume shine in comparison to the competition. A few things that if done properly can make your resume pop!

1. Announce Your Professional Brand – By creating a compelling headline and branding statement at the very top of your resume, you are providing eye-catching information that draws the reader immediately to your most significant strengths.

For example, right under your name and contact information, you can put something like this:

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | STRATEGIC EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Professional Services| Senior IT Administration | Operational Improvement

Instantly you are telling the reader what you do, which space you are in, and your current career level. This powerful beginning to your resume allows HR personnel and hiring managers to identify your virtues with a quick glance.

2. Show Your Style – Use border lines to separate sections. It will add an aesthetic appearance to an otherwise boring resume. Try small caps to give the headers of each section more finesse. It won’t take very long to do and it will add a touch of class and visual appeal to liven up your resume.

3. Highlight Your Accomplishments – Before you get to the Professional Experience section of your resume, consider creating a short, but high impact section that includes selected achievements from your past. If you have a long history and have done some outstanding work early in your career, this can be a fabulous way to pull that information to the top so it is not buried somewhere toward the bottom of page 2.

These small changes, which won’t take long at all, can have a major impact on the impression your resume makes, and believe it or not, even earn you extra money at the negotiation table. These simple steps will help give you a competitive advantage while presenting your qualifications, skills, and abilities in a visually pleasing manner. Just as you would wear a suit to the interview, don’t be afraid to ‘dress your resume up’ a little bit to allow a creative professional flair shine through.

Debra Wheatman

CPRW, CPCC and President of Careers Done Write, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career road maps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries. Visit careersdonewrite.com to learn more.

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