Best Resume Format, Performance-Based Raises, & FREE Career Development Events

Weekly Round-Up

Best Resume Format?

I saw the tweet below on Twitter (no, I'm not calling it X) this week saying that the resume format below is the best resume template.

While some agreed, many, including myself, recognized that this format is NOT the best resume format. Let's talk about why:

1. While the largest and newest applicant tracking systems (ATS) have no issues parsing through two-column resumes, many older ATS still struggle to read them.
2. Most ATS have issues with images and graphics. So, the little phone, email, and web icons could cause some problems.
3. ATS are notoriously terrible at deciphering information in tables or text boxes. Depending on how this document is formatted, the ATS may not be able to identify the keywords, skills, and areas of expertise.
4. I don't recommend leading with the company name in your experience. Your job title tells people more about the work that you can do for them than the company. (i.e., if I work at Apple, you'd assume I am a Software Engineer or work at the genius bar, but I could be the Director of Marketing)
5. Why would you put your achievements at the bottom of any document in which you are trying to sell yourself? Make it make sense.

Remember, the star of your resume is the CONTENT, not the FORMAT. While you can do minor things to make the document visually appealing, you won't be seen if you don't have the right relevant information. Period.

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Performance-Based Raises

What do you do when your boss tells you your raise is performance-based?

Well, you definitely don't want to pull out the sexy dance moves like this guy on TikTok. But, hey...I guess he said he's getting that raise by any means necessary. ??

Here are 3 tips to help you advocate for that performance-based raise:

1. Keep a career journal or brag book. Essentially, this is where you track your quantifiable results and how you've created value for the company, your team, the client, the end user, or whoever. Think about the performance metrics or key performance indicators you are held to (sales, project impacts, efficiencies, etc.) and document all of them here. Update this at least weekly. Remember to also document capacity numbers like the size of teams you lead, the dollar value of budgets you oversee, or the number of projects you manage. You can then use this information to make the case for your raise.
2. Consistently discuss your goals with your boss and their expectations for you to get a raise. Performance review time shouldn't be the first time they find out that you are interested in getting a raise and willing to do the work to get it. Make sure to keep them updated on your progress.
3. Find a way to make yourself indispensable to your boss by taking something off their plate. This could look like taking on a stretch assignment to produce the weekly metrics dashboards or quarterly business review decks. It could also look like offering to lead team meetings or serve as a representative for your boss in meetings they can't make. During your one-on-ones, not only update them on your agenda items but also speak to them about some of theirs.

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FREE Career Development Events

As many of you know, I'm an alum of the 密西根大学 . While I've worked with them in the past, I am cooking up an event with the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan .

In the meantime, they host many FREE events that are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, not just U of M Alum. Check out and register for some of their upcoming events:

?? How to Upskill: Developing Yourself While Maximizing Your Time?w/ Mariana Akasheh (Naddaf) - Tuesday, September 17 @ 12-1 PM ET

? The Currency of Indispensability: Managing Up to Get Ahead?w/ RaShonda Flint, Ph.D. - Tuesday, October 15?@ 12-1 PM ET

?? Networking for Introverts?w/ Kelli Wingo - Tuesday, November 19?@ 12-1 PM ET

You can check out more information and register by CLICKING HERE.

Shout out to Kierra Trotter for providing all of the information!

Alternative Job Search Sites

Where do you search for your jobs?

If you said LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor, then you might be getting caught up with tons of applicants.

Each of my past newsletters has had at least 5 alternative sites for you to consider using; here are 5 more that vary in use:

1. ProductionHUB - film, video, and live event jobs
2. Green Jobs - jobs focused on environmental or social responsibility
3. Jora - various types of jobs
4. Good Food Jobs - a gastro-job search tool for people searching for meaningful food work
5. Parallel - matching job seekers with top startups

Got a site that you like to use and want to share? Let us know by clicking here.

AI for Interview Practice

You can use an AI system to improve your interview answer. Systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot can provide you with different perspectives on your experience and how to frame it in an interview. Using the job descriptions can also help you identify potential questions you may be asked in an interview.

Here's an example prompt:

I have an interview tomorrow for a [insert job title] role at [insert company name]. Below is the job description. Analyze it and provide a list of potential questions I might be asked in the interview and strategies for answering them.

Hit Shift + Enter, copy and paste the job description, and hit enter.

You can also utilize tools like 谷歌 's Interview Warmup. It leverages AI to help you practice key questions, gain insights about your answers, and become more comfortable interviewing.

Some of you may have missed it in the last newsletter, but I shared an AI Career Cheat Sheet.

ACCESS THE AI CAREER CHEAT SHEET

The cheat sheet covers:

• AI Terminology
• Available AI Systems
• AI Commands
• AI Prompt Structures / Frameworks
• Tone
• Prompts for resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, and general career assistance

ACCESS THE AI CAREER CHEAT SHEET

Let me know what you think and if this is helpful!

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