Crafting a Compelling Resume: Is It Like a Sales Pitch?

Your resume is valuable real estate. Therefore, it’s imperative you ensure every word printed on it counts. Like a billboard, it’s vying for attention in a crowded space. That said, every word must be strategically chosen to make a strong impression on potential employers. Meaning - don't just submit a generic resume, tailor it to the specific job you are applying for.

To accomplish that, first analyze the job description and highlight the top skills and experience they require using keywords from the description throughout your resume – keywords which match your own. And by the way, these could also be ‘transferrable skills’.

Resume Summary

Before starting your resume create a Resume Summary you should post at the top of the page. Sometimes called a resume profile or professional summary, it is a brief yet powerful statement placed near the top of your resume - typically right below your contact info. ?

Similar to the tagline of a professional brand designed to grab a potential buyer’s attention, a Resume Summary is designed to grab the hiring manager's attention, in a quick scan, to convince them to read further.

First, read the job description thoroughly, paying close attention to required skills and qualifications.

Identify the most relevant skills mentioned for the specific role and – when possible - match your skills to their needs – focusing on those which directly align with the job requirements.

Here are 5 ways to ensure every word on your resume counts:

• ???Use action-oriented verbs. Replace weak verbs like "responsible for" with impactful action verbs which showcase your achievements. For example, instead of "responsible for managing social media accounts”, use “managed and grew company social media presence by 20%.” ?
• ??? Use stats to quantify your wins. Stats and facts add to your impact and credibility. For instance, "increased sales by 15% within the first quarter" is more impressive than simply stating you "increased sales." Also, include a problem or two you solved and the positive outcomes you achieved during these occasions.
• ? Focus on achievements, not duties. Your resume shouldn't be a laundry list of the descriptions of various jobs you performed. Instead, focus on achievements and results you delivered in those roles. What problems did you solve? How did your contributions benefit the company? Briefly set the stage by mentioning the situation or challenge you faced. Describe specific (be brief) actions you took to address the challenge. What was your role? What skills did you leverage?

• Be sure to quantify the impact of your actions. How did your work improve things? Use numbers, percentages, stats or specific examples to showcase successes. Clearly define the challenge by briefly explaining the initial situation and problem you faced.? Briefly describe actions taken to address it. (This showcases your problem-solving skills and initiative). As previously stated, use stats, numbers and data to demonstrate the positive impact of your actions; these add credibility and emphasize the success of your solution.
• ??? Add a Skill section, including additional education. For example - certifications, new skills, upskilling, reskilling. Prioritize them, with the most relevant skills at the top of your list. Consider using bullet points with short descriptions to elaborate on your skills and their impact. Pursuing additional education to enhance your existing skills, or acquire new ones, could open doors to new career paths. Plus - new skills and knowledge make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers. The working world is constantly evolving. And when it comes down to it, upskilling and reskilling help ensure your skillset remains relevant and competitive. With upskilling, especially in areas of high demand, you can increase your chances of landing a job quickly because you have increased your relevance. ?
• Proofread and Edit: Typos and grammatical errors can be a turn-off for employers. Proofread meticulously and have someone else review your resume for any errors.

In Summary:

A resume is indeed similar to a sales pitch in some ways, but it's not exactly the same.

Here's how they overlap: A sales pitch convinces a customer to buy a product or service, while a resume convinces an employer to hire you. A sales pitch focuses on the product's benefits, while a resume showcases your skills and experience to demonstrate how you can benefit the company. Both require tailoring for the audience. Just as a salesperson tailors their pitch to a customer's needs, you tailor your resume to the specific job requirements.

Overall, think of your resume as a professional advertisement for yourself. It should be clear, concise, and highlight your most relevant skills and experience to grab the employer's attention and make them want to learn more about you in an interview - which is where you can really "sell" yourself like in a traditional sales pitch.

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Jean L. Serio CEIC, CPC, CeMA, CSEO

★ Certified Employment Interview Coach ★ Storytell Interview Coach ★ Featured Contributor - bizcatalyst

As seen on: ★ Forbes ★ business.com ★ BLR – Daily HR Advisor ★ ERE’s Daily HR Advisor ★ RecruitCon Las Vegas ★ Next Ave. div of PBS ★ Job Conference International ★ beBee International ★ Medium and More

Jean is a Certified Employment Interview Coach and retired Sr. Director of HR; with expertise in recruitment, job training & development - a recognized Consultant, Coach and Speaker. A trusted advisor, she has spoken at coaching, consulting events and programs, Workshops, Teleseminars and Webinars. As an author, she has written about dozens of hiring topics which affect job searchers.