What are the best resume writing strategies for professionals who have been laid off or furloughed?

History lessons are for history teachers; don't forward a dry, historical record of your past duties. No one cares what you "did" in your job; they care what you "accomplished," ... what you "improved," ... what you "added" to the bottom line of the company. Your accomplishments should clearly present solutions to the problems employers are looking to solve. Instead of listing ... "Interacted with clients daily," ... shift your focus to results over actions with something like this ... "Provided exceptional client experiences by leveraging strong communication and interpersonal skills while engaging with clients in-person and on the phone." This simple shift moves your document from historical to results-driven.

99% of professionals I've assisted face this challenge. Use this strategy to convert every bullet point in your resume into an accomplishment. Talk about the Impact on Business: For folks in Management, Sales, and Marketing, this is straightforward. (E.g., Increased sales conversion to 30% and revenue by $200K, grew business from USD 1Mn to 12Mn) Technical Proficiency: Folks in HR, Finance, Ops find it challenging to measure business impact. Instead, emphasize your technical prowess. Consider your work's efficiency and your KPIs. (E.g., Migrated to a new platform in 2 months, revamped Hiring to reduce TAT to 3 weeks, cut project delays by 12%, etc.) Pro-tip: Measure the before and after of your work, use numbers to show the difference.

Start with this fact: When companies have an urgent need (and most hiring is urgent) the most attractive potential candidate is one who: 1) Has the right qualifications. 2) Has the fewest impediments. A qualified candidate who is in transition has the fewest impediments. I would focus on qualifications. Being furloughed or laid-off is not a barrier if the qualifications are there.

A resume is a strategic document that, when crafted the right way, will help you stand out as a top candidate for your desired role. Having a strong foundational resume for each field of interest is an absolute must. Tailoring the resume for each specific role becomes much easier and quicker. Tailoring is a best practice. It creates alignment between the job seeker and the role and can create a feeling to the reader that says "we wrote this job posting for you". Many people say tailoring isn't necessary. I see it differently. If you take the time to show that you care and put thought and effort into your job search, that can absolutely be a difference maker!

There is value in replacing the "I've applied to XX number of jobs and received 0 call backs" posts with creating more positive content about the value you bring. Blogs, vlogs, reviews of books and podcasts or any other "work" products will increase your connections, views and visibility on LinkedIn.

"You don’t have to edit your resume every time you apply for a job" Insted Build a “Master Resume” Now, we all know that at least 70% of the skills and keywords remain the same for a job profile regardless of the Industry, Role, or company. Example - Sales are sales and Keywords like Lead generation, Business development, B2B, and B2C will remain the same in all industries or companies. So You should Highly focus on 50- 70% of these skills and Make sure your competition can’t beat you in this.

Would you ever risk printing out and using a fill-in-the-blank love letter from loveletters.com? How would your prospective or current partner react? Not well, I assume? Well, don't do the equivalent in your job search. Take your base resume, deep dive into the job opening, and customize it not just to be a "possible" match but a standout, 90-95% match that has taken the time to echo exactly what the employer is looking for in your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Many forget you are in a competition, so doing "just enough" simply isn't enough. The better the job, the tougher the competition. Be the top 5% candidate.

Customizing each resume DOES take more effort. It also produces BETTER results. Here is what most jobseekers don't realize -- you don't have to create a completely new resume for it to be customized. ?? You simply make minor adjustments/modifications so you can best "mirror" the job posting. Specifically focus on customizing your Headline, Skills section, and Accomplishments section, to start. You can also make slight adjustments to your Professional Experience section. For example, if the posting states they need global marketing experience, include examples under roles where you have demonstrated your global marketing abilities. Hope this helps someone!

It's absolutely necessary to write a resume for your target role. That way, don't have to tailor it for every application- as long as the positions are aligned with your target job. And forget about the ATS

One CV Does NOT Fit All Roles It’s really tempting to create one CV and then send it using “spray and pray”. You might think, it will save you lots of time, but guess what, employers aren’t interested. Putting anything down for the sake of putting it down isn’t going to cut it with a potential employer. Neither will a “copy and paste” of your job description. Employers want to see a CV which caters to the job description, with clear logical flow of competencies, skills and experiences. Ask yourself: “What is the potential Employer is looking for? - The role, the expectations the potential employer has of the candidate - The competencies, skills and qualities - The desirable skills and experience

Depending on the duration and depending on the client themselves, you don't need to explain any gaps in your CV if less than 2 years. This is due to the fact that you have chosen to take time off, travel, went back to education etc. BUT, when explaining the gap you can depict it as Career Break (dates) and give a little blurb underneath, or leave it as Career Break (dates). You can explain it at an interview if you wish. A career gap shouldn't affect your chances of being called to an interview, but be prepared to be asked about it. Honesty and transparency is key.

It is ok to say you were laid off. It's not your fault, or a reflection of you or your worth. The people in leadership screwed up, and you got caught in their bad decision.

Addressing gaps in work history is crucial for professionals who've experienced layoffs or furloughs. Be transparent about the gap in your resume by briefly explaining the circumstances. Use a functional or hybrid format, emphasizing skills and achievements. Showcase any projects, freelance work, or upskilling during the gap. Highlight transferable skills gained during this time. Tailor each resume to the specific job, focusing on relevant experiences. Leverage networking and online platforms to showcase continuous professional development. This approach emphasizes resilience and proactiveness, enhancing your appeal to potential employers.

I consistently advise my clients that having a gap in professional experience isn't a cause for concern, but it does require a strategic approach. My preferred method aligns with the second suggestion—to transparently address and cover the gap. Collaborating closely with the client, I seek to understand the reasons behind the gap, incorporating this information into the resume. Importantly, I emphasize the showcasing of transferable skills gained during this period. This not only provides context for the gap but also positions the individual as a dynamic professional who has utilized their time effectively, acquiring valuable skills that align with the prospective job role.

Do not leave gaps unexplained. A gap of 1-2 months is ok, but anything 3 months or longer does need to be covered in some way. Do not be afraid to tell the truth (within reason, i.e. not too much detail). If you had caregiving responsibilities, state that. If you were made redundant, state that. If you decided to take time out, state that. All reasons are valid. The trick it to not over-explain. Keep it simple. Where the gap has been most recent, remember to add you're ready and keen to start your next opportunity.

Adaptability is a highly-sought-after skill employers are looking for. Include 1-2 examples of situations where you had to adapt, ideally with a meaningful outcome (meaning, how your adaptability had an impact on the team/company. Put at least one example somewhere near the top of your resume, so it doesn't get overlooked. The top 1/3 of your resume is prime real estate and should contain impressive examples with outcomes attached. #LetsGetYouHired!

In the face of layoffs or furloughs, demonstrating adaptability and resilience becomes vital. On your resume, highlight instances where you've successfully adapted to new roles, technologies, or industries. Emphasize any quick learning, pivoting, or upskilling you've done, especially in challenging situations. This shows potential employers your capability to thrive in dynamic environments and your resilience in overcoming career obstacles

Being laid off unexpectedly can be shocking, and people often take the experience personally. They either show outwardly hate to their previous employer or internalise what has happened, wondering what they did wrong. Some do both. The worst thing you can do is ruminate. What you have experienced is just a potential outcome of business. Find a way to detach yourself from what has happened and consider the positives of working for the company, even if it's just lessons. What can you take from this experience into your new experience? Focus on this perspective to show resilience and the ability to move forward.

I never send out my CV without having someone else look it over. Writing a good CV can take hours, and by that time, you may not notice small typos or spacing errors. Plus, it's a great way to figure out if the reader finds your CV clear or if there are certain parts that could be improved to make them more compelling. From a recruiter's or hiring manager's perspective, spotting typos and poor formatting may give the impression that you're not paying attention or lack attention to detail.

In my opinion, the emphasis on thorough proofreading and polishing a resume before submitting it is absolutely crucial. It not only reflects a candidate's attention to detail but also conveys a sense of professionalism and dedication. A proofread and polished resume not only eliminates distracting errors but also ensures that the document is clear, concise, and visually appealing. Seeking input from a certified professional resume writer (CPRW) adds an extra layer of assurance. It is a small but significant investment of time that can enhance one's chances of making a positive impression on potential employers.

Three effective ways to proofread your resume: 1. Ask a friend to do it for you. A different set of eyes can catch the spots you might have missed. 2. Use tools like Grammarly. 3. Come back to the document after a gap of a few hours or a day to read it with a fresh perspective.

Many people think all that's needed is a quick scan of their resume to ensure it is error-free. This document is WAY too important for a quick scan. Here are my 4 steps to ensure an error-free resume: 1. Print a hard copy out to review 2. Create space (1 hour at least) between when you write it and when you proof it. 3. Have a second set of eyes review it. 4. Use grammarly as a final proofing tool. Grammarly and other similar proofing tools are pretty good at catching most errors, but not all. No tool out there is 100% effective.

I've said this so many times before, you can review your own CV/resume a hundred times and miss the most obvious mistakes. Get a couple of people to read it and give you feedback. Does your experience make sense? Does the flow make sense? Are you highlighting the right things? It would be great to get the following people to review your CV/resume: - Someone who is in your line of work; - Someone who isn't in your line of work; - A recruiter who specialises in recruiting people in your line of work. You don't have to take up all the feedback, but it's good to understand how your CV/resume is perceived by different eyes.

Layoffs are really difficult to process. I would advise not to jump immediately into a resume revamp. Take the needed break based on your situation (emotionally, financially), then reassess your career goals. Decide on your target jobs, research, and conduct a skill assessment; upskill if needed. Next, update your resume. Use the right template, include relevant keywords, and keep it simple. Pro tip: Always have a separate career highlights section (top 5), listing your accomplishments (quantified if necessary), before your experience section. This will showcase your competencies effectively to the reader of your resume.

Take a break, even if it's a small one before applying for jobs. Give your mind time to process and deal with the situation. Don't apply for 10 jobs at the same time. I understand the need to get a job quickly and hence the logic of more applications' higher chances, but too many applications might actually be bringing your chances down. Online algorithms may consider you as someone who is confused about what they want.

Consider adding a personal branding statement to your resume. It’s a brief summary that encapsulates your professional identity, values, and the unique skills you bring to the table. This can be particularly effective for professionals who have experienced a layoff, as it shifts the focus to your strengths and future potential rather than your employment history.

Does Your CV pass the 5-second test? I’ve seen thousands of CVs and written hundreds for management and senior executives. I can instantly tell whether it’s excellent, good, average or poor within just 5 seconds. Now imagine your CV arriving in a potential employer’s inbox. Guess what? They, too, can tell within seconds whether the CV is worth ‘eyeballing’. Why 5 seconds? This is the time it takes to capture an experienced recruiter’s attention. Just 5 seconds, yes, just 5 seconds. How would you even know whether yours passes the 5-second test?