People often wonder if they should use a topical rather than a chronological résumé and ask if I can prepare a topical or (functional) résumé for them. But is that the best strategy? Of course, having written thousands of résumés, I can do so. But before I do, I like to share a few insights […]
Posts Categorized: Resume Strategy
Use Relevant Keywords and Navigate Applicant Tracking Systems
Keywords help establish the relevance of your résumé and improve the likelihood that Applicant Tracking Systems will interpret your experience accurately. Applicant Tracking Systems help employers collect, organize, search, and review applications. Once associated primarily with larger companies, they are now widely used across organizations of many sizes. Because these systems may search résumé content […]
Should You Write Your Own Résumé?
Should you write your own résumé? Today, that question has become more complex. Some people still prefer to write entirely in their own words, others rely on templates, and many now turn to AI tools for help. All of these approaches can assist with organizing information, but none automatically solves the harder challenge of recognizing […]
What Makes a Résumé Successful?
There are many diverse ideas about what makes a résumé successful. People can be very dogmatic about what to do—and what not to do—when preparing a résumé. There are also many different résumé styles, including chronological and functional approaches. Ultimately, however, the final judge of what makes a résumé successful lies in the perception of […]
Do I Need to Create a Résumé to Target a Specific Job?
People frequently ask me to write a résumé to target a specific job. While some believe this is a viable strategy, it can be a very risky and expensive proposition. Unless a person has had two distinct careers and corresponding experience, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to do this. The truth is, our […]
Should Résumés Have an Objective?
Years ago, résumé writers routinely crafted objective statements intended to define what a candidate was seeking. Today, the traditional generic objective has largely given way to a professional profile or qualifications summary that tells the employer who you are, what you have accomplished, and what value you bring to the marketplace. But career direction is […]
12,000 résumés and counting!
