Resume Writing For Career Advancement

College students and recent grads: here’s your inside scoop from a CEO who just reviewed 500+ resumes. At REACH, we’re hiring for Q1 2025, and as the CEO, I personally skim through hundreds of resumes to spot top talent. Let me be honest: in a competitive recruitment season, you have seconds to stand out. If you want to rise to the top of the pile, here’s my advice: 4 𝐂𝐄𝐎-𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: 📌 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬. Familiarity catches attention. Highlight the companies, schools, or programs that carry weight at the very top of your resume. As a CEO, I skip the header and dive right into the body paragraphs. Don’t make me dig to find what sets you apart. 📌 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬. Big metrics grab my eye and slow me down. Whether it’s "$6𝘔+ 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥" or "𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 150%", numbers scream 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔. Use them to frame your accomplishments and ensure your skills shine. 📌 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞. If you’re applying for a role in influencer marketing (like at REACH), don’t include irrelevant experience in UI/UX design. Show me you understand the position and can bring value to the specific role. Relevance is everything. 📌 𝐁𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫. Traditional resumes are safe, but a unique design—done right—can make you unforgettable. Think creatively, but prioritize clarity. If your resume is thoughtful, well-structured, and reflects your personality, it’ll stand out and stick with me. 💡 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦: The resumes I remember are clear, focused, and demonstrate impact. Take the time to refine yours—you’re competing against hundreds of others, so make every detail count.

I recently hired someone just based on a 5-minute video! As an entrepreneur, I get thousands of resumes, but one video resume recently caught my attention. I ended up watching the whole thing, and by the end, I knew I wanted her on my team. Why? 🚀Thinking Outside the Box: She didn’t just think differently; she executed her idea brilliantly with a video, showing the kind of innovative talent I need on my team. 🚀Personal Touch: The video felt personalized and was tailored specifically for this job, which demonstrated her genuine interest and effort to stand out. 🚀Going the Extra Mile: I was impressed by the amount of effort she put in to get noticed, especially knowing how uncertain job hunting can be. It showed me she is serious about her career. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can do it too! 🚀 💡Step 1: Plan Your Content ↪ Define Your Objective: Know the purpose of the video—target a specific job or create a general introduction. ↪ Highlight Key Points: Identify 35 key skills, experiences, or achievements that make you stand out. Use metrics to quantify your impact (e.g., "increased sales by 20%"). 💡Step 2: Write Your Script ↪ Create a Strong Opening: Start with a hook—this could be a question or an intriguing fact. ↪ Tell Your Story: Structure your script into three parts: ➢ Introduction: Who you are and what position you’re applying for. ➢ Body: Your relevant experience and skills, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). ➢ Conclusion: A brief summary and a call to action (e.g., "I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your team"). Pro Tip: Use this ChatGPT prompt to write your script!🚀 "I need a personalized video resume script that includes a brief introduction, educational background, work experience (using the S.T.A.R. method), key skills, achievements with metrics, and career goals. Please keep the tone professional but approachable, and make the structure flow smoothly. Also, share some tips for delivery and body language for a strong impact. Let me know if you need more details." 💡Step 3: Set Up Your Recording Space & record ↪ Choose a professional background and check lighting; consider an external microphone for better audio quality. ↪ Record Your Video, Dress Professionally, and Record Multiple Takes. Don’t hesitate to do several takes until you feel satisfied with your delivery. When you personalize your approach, you make it impossible to ignore! 🌟

Adding my Teen Wolf fan fiction work to my resume has helped me land interviews and internships at Fortune 500 companies. Here's how: As much as you should prioritize listing your past work experiences and quantifiable accomplishments on your resume (here's a great article on how: https://lnkd.in/gnMGa9hR), you need to add some personality into your resume. Your resume needs to be a conversation starter. In a pool of hundreds of applications from qualified candidates, you have to break through the noise. Being qualified is important but showcasing who YOU are and what makes you unique can help you stand out. My favorite way to do this is highlighting my passion projects on my resume. Over the years, one of the first experiences listed on my resume was my work on Wattpad, my college and lifestyle blog, and now, it's my early career resources blog, The Ninth Semester. Every interview I've been on, I've been asked about my passion projects and that gives me a chance to showcase how PASSIONATE I am about the content I make and talk about skills I've learned a long the way that usually relate to roles I've applied for (marketing, public relations, graphic design, early career recruiting, etc) 📓 Example passion projects to include on your resume: - your blog/your podcast/youtube channel - freelance work/running your own business - design projects - a discord channel you've created for your peers in your industry - a community service project or club you've created (if you have links for these projects or a dedicated portfolio, hyperlink them in your resume!) Next time you're working on your resume, ask yourself if your resume is interesting. Outside of work experiences, what is something on your resume that would genuinely stand out and pique a hiring manager's interest? Follow Jade Walters for more #earlycareer content for #GenZ professionals and the recruiting teams that hire them! 🤑 #resume #resumewriting #resumehelp #entryleveljobs #jobhunting

I recently received a job application that stood out immediately - not because of extraordinary qualifications, but because the candidate included a brief video cover letter.   In just 60 seconds, this candidate accomplished what a traditional resume simply cannot: • Demonstrated genuine enthusiasm for the specific role • Showcased communication skills and professional presence • Highlighted relevant experience with personal context • Conveyed personality and cultural fit potential   For those not yet comfortable on camera, a thoughtful pre-interview note can serve a similar purpose.   This approach allows you to: • Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences • Explain specifically why you're interested in this particular role • Demonstrate that you've researched the company and understand its challenges • Address potential questions about your background proactively   What struck me most about this candidate's approach wasn't the production quality - it was the initiative it represented.   In a competitive job market, this small additional effort signals a willingness to go beyond minimum requirements.   The candidates who consistently advance aren't always the most technically qualified on paper.   They're often the ones who demonstrate the most genuine interest and initiative throughout the process.   What creative approaches have you used or seen to stand out during the application process?   Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #applicationstrategies #jobsearchdifferentiation #personalbranding #hiringprocess

Most people keep doing the same mistake when looking for a job, specially a remote job. They don't show their work. I'm looking at 50 social media applications and not one pointed to their work. What can a resume tell about their content creation skills? What can a message show? Nothing. In the book "Show your Work" Austin Kleon mentions that the most important thing for an entrepreneur or a freelancer is to show your work, the same is true for job applications. This is what you need to do instead! Show tangible evidence of your work, especially for remote positions: - Include links to your actual content, projects, or portfolio when applying for content creation roles - Don't rely solely on traditional resumes which can't demonstrate practical skills - Take inspiration from Austin Kleon's book "Show Your Work" by documenting and sharing your process and results For social media positions specifically: - Demonstrate your content creation abilities through real examples - Link to your active social media accounts that showcase your work - Include metrics and results from previous campaigns or content efforts The main message is that actions and examples speak louder than claims on a resume, particularly for creative and remote positions. What's the most effective way you've showcased your work in job applications? Share your tips below! 👇

Recently, I reviewed a senior executive's resume and was shocked by several critical issues. It became clear that the resume was generated by a resume builder, which unfortunately led to significant shortcomings. Having worked with Senior Executives and helped them secure highly coveted leadership roles, I can confidently say that his resume had several critical flaws. This resume is unlikely to lead to interviews, networking calls, or any further opportunities. ➡ Critical Flaws in the Resume: - Lack of Context in the Summary: The summary was generic and failed to capture the executive’s unique career trajectory and expertise. - No Quantifiable Achievements: The resume lacked metrics to showcase the executive’s impact, making it hard to assess their contributions. - Lacked Value Proposition: There was no clear value proposition, missing an articulation of the executive's unique strengths and how they could benefit potential employers. - Not Aligned to the Target Job: The resume was not tailored to the executive’s target role, failing to highlight relevant skills and experiences. -One-Page Limitation: Constrained to a single page, the resume did not provide enough space to detail key achievements and qualifications, which is crucial for senior-level candidates. ✨ My recommendations for a Compelling Executive Resume: - Highlight the executive's unique career trajectory and expertise. - Use metrics to demonstrate impact. - Articulate unique strengths and problem-solving abilities. - Tailor the content to align with the target job. - Use a two-page format to detail key achievements and qualifications comprehensively. #executiveresume #jobsearch #executive

I just saw 7 people age 50+ get hired. And they didn't hide who they were. But they did make some key changes. If you think age discrimination is holding you back from landing a job, read on. There are 3 places that older job seekers make mistakes: 1️⃣ FOCUSING ON YEARS > RESULTS If your resume starts with "Experienced professional with 15+ years experience..." you're already making this mistake. Your experience is valuable. But it's valuable because of the SKILLS & RESULTS you've earned. 💡 Delete the word "experience" and replace it with your actual skills. 2️⃣ BURYING YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS On average a recruiter spends 5-15 seconds reviewing your resume. That means they don't read it. Most older job seekers bury their achievements in word soup. 💡 Forget page-count, focus on word-count. 350-550 word resumes land the most interviews because they get to the point quickly. 3️⃣ "BEFORE YOUR TIME" The person interviewing you will likely be age 20-40. You want to bring them in as an ally, rather than distancing yourself from them. 💡Avoid phrases like... ↳ "This may be before your time..." ↳ "In the early 90's we..." ↳ "It's kind of like <insert old TV show>..." 💡Instead, use phrases like... ↳ "I'm a big fan of what's happening with AI..." ↳ "The latest trend of X is super fascinating to me..." ↳ "Have you heard of <insert new technology>..." Oftentimes the problem isn't your actual age. It's the signals you're sending about your age. Focus on your RESULTS, SKILLS, and the FUTURE. That's how you land a job in 2025. 👉 P.S. I'm hosting a free workshop on interview prep next week, give my profile a follow and I'll announce the workshop on Monday if you'd like to attend. _ #hiring #jobs

Ｗｅｄｎｅｓｄａｙ Ｗｉｓｄｏｍ 🧠 I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it: if you still rely on the same job search tactics from pre-COVID days, you’re missing out. Take John, for example. He spent 12 months searching for his next CFO role—he’d worked for global multinationals and had a solid network, yet he was getting no traction. He reached out to me to see if I could help. 🤝 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚎’𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚍: ▶️ Built a resume that actually sold his experience ▶️ Optimised his LinkedIn profile ▶️ Refined his elevator pitch and interview skills ▶️ Tailored his cover letters for each role because each position looked for a unique aspect of his 25+ years of experience 𝚁𝚎𝚜𝚞𝚕𝚝？ John chose between three offers at his target companies and secured a $150K salary increase, which was a HUGE ROI on his investment in himself. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎？ ✔️ Clean, concise, accomplishment-focused resume ✔️ No fluff—just a straightforward story of success ✔️ Tailored applications that match each job description ✔️ Consistent branding across LinkedIn and interviews 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙪𝙩? 🤔 If you’re aiming for a role at $200K+, but your resume is outdated, tired, and fails the 7-second recruiter test among 300 other applicants, think about what opportunities might be slipping through your fingers. Mass applications, AI tools, and overwhelmed recruiters mean your resume is going head-to-head with more candidates than ever. ❗ Make it stand out for the right reasons. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. Updating your strategy won’t guarantee a job, but it’ll get you closer than sending the same generic resume into the void. The job search landscape has changed—𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪? #CareerGrowth #JobSearchTips #ResumeSuccess #LinkedInTips #CareerCoaching #PersonalBranding #CFOCareer #JobSearchStrategy #ElevatorPitch #InterviewSkills #TailoredResume #CareerSuccess ________________________________________________________________________________________ My name is Belinda Paris. For 25+ years, I’ve helped senior executives craft impactful resumes, optimise LinkedIn profiles, and land their desired roles. My background as an executive recruiter and 8 years as a career coach has given me unique expertise in showcasing leadership impact and creating career narratives that get results. ➡️ 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱? FOLLOW ME or ring the bell to get notified about my latest insights. Comment and share to help others level up their careers!

Marsha was in her 50s and hoping to make a career pivot. "Have I got chance?" she asked me. I'll tell you what I told her: Ageism in the job market is real. But, if you are prepared, you can overcome the obstacles. It had been years since she'd applied or interviewed for a job. We worked together on her resume, LinkedIn, networking, and interviewing to package her for the job she wanted. When she called to say she'd gotten an offer for a great new job in pharma, with a 30% pay increase, I was jumping up & down!! I want to be clear that this was not easy. It took a lot of focus. Here is the multi-pronged approach we worked on together: 🎯 Resume Strategy: ↳ Focus on impact ("Delivered $2M in savings" vs "25 years of experience") ↳ Go back no more than 15 years  ↳ Highlight current technical skills, leave off old ones ↳ Take the graduation year off all degrees ↳ Contact info should include only city, state (no street address) ↳ Ditch the AOL, and hotmail email addresses; they date you 🌐Networking Strategy: ↳ Reconnect with former colleagues & give them an update ↳ Practice talking about your skills and abilities ↳ Speak to others who've successfully overcome the age barrier ↳ Make sure your LinkedIn profile follows best practices ↳ Work toward 500+ connections ↳ Post and comment on LinkedIn weekly 🏢 Employer Strategy: ↳ Target 40-50 companies with age-diverse cultures ↳ Talk to people in similar roles & ask about key skills ↳ Ask HR/recruiters about their hiring process ↳ Follow each employer on social media to learn priorities 💡 Interview Strategy: ↳ Lead with energy and genuine interest ↳ Show you've done your research with deep preparation ↳ Be ready with stories that include cross-generational work ↳ Share examples of your adaptability and growth mindset ↳ Talk about new skills you've built and show you're on top of trends ↳ Communicate your experience working with diverse people 🤵🏼Personal Strategy: ↳ Take additional courses & certifications to keep your skills fresh ↳ Stay current in your field with podcasts and social media ↳ Make reasonable adjustments to your appearance ↳ Clothes should fit well and be current, but not "trendy" ↳ Avoid language that "dates" you (ask a trusted younger friend) Remember: You're not "overqualified" You have battle-tested wisdom. That, along with these strategies, will set you up as a strong candidate! ♻ Repost to help people who are facing ageism in their job search 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more strategic career insights

I’ve seen 1000s of CVs. These 3 mistakes come up time and time again. They’re easy to miss - but they could be costing you interviews and the job you want. Here's what you need to avoid, and how to fix them. ❌ Recycling an old CV Most people just add their latest role to an outdated CV. The result? Your most recent (and most important) experience gets buried. ✅ Start fresh. Build a CV that reflects who you are today - not who you were years ago. ❌ Overloading your CV Some people try to cram every details into their CV. It’s not supposed to get you the job - it’s purpose is to get you the interview. ✅ Keep your resume concise and tailored to the role. Save the details for when you’re speaking to the hiring manager. ❌ Adding references to your CV References aren’t needed at this stage, and adding them wastes valuable space. Worse, your previous bosses might get bombarded by recruiters pitching other candidates like you. ✅ Leave references out and use the space for what matters to get the interview. If a company needs references, they’ll ask later. With LinkedIn’s own data showing that more than 9,000 people apply for jobs every minute, you can’t afford to have a CV that let’s you down. But sometimes less is more. Standing out might be about what you leave out of your resume, not what you include. What other common CV mistakes have you seen? (or made?!) Feel free to share in the comments below.