How To...

As a National Sales Director, I am constantly exposed to resumes. Whether it’s because a rep got promoted, moved on to another opportunity, or didn’t work out – there is a lot of turnover and when a sales opening needs to be filled I have to be most efficient in “weeding through” several resumes to narrow it down to candidates that will ultimately go through the entire process and become someone I invest my time in hiring, training and counting on to reach sales goals. Believe me when I say, “I’ve seen it all”. Some resumes surprise me off the bet and some leave me shaking my head wondering what the candidate was thinking. Either way- just by a resume I know who I’m moving to the next round.

Here are some guidelines of what to do and what NOT to do when setting up your resume:

• Find a template to use. Whether it’s from the internet, someone you respect, etc. It’s much easier to edit a template than try to create one from scratch (and will save you a lot of time). If you need some help- email me and I’m happy to help provide you a clean, professional template to start from. 

• Don’t try to be “fancy”. The key is CLEAN and easy to read.  Normal font type and size. Don’t worry about filling up space if you’re fresh out of school. It’s expected that your resume wouldn’t be that lengthy if this is the first “real” job you’re applying for.

• Include a Brief explanation of the company/role if it’s not obvious.  

• Include Relevant experience with clear titles and dates of employment. If you're company was purchased by another company, consider having them under the same heading, but then break them out under a subheading. Otherwise, A quick scan may seem like you are job jumping when you have actually been with the same company for 3 years.

• Show multiple titles/positions even if at the same company. This shows growth and longevity- two very important traits that a hiring manager will be impressed with.

• Don't use personal pronouns.

• Each bullet should be in parallel tense. Current job is present tense. Past jobs are either all past tense or all present tense. 

• Highlight Statistics that show your abilities (ex. Sales stats/awards if you are applying for a sales position). This is my biggest pet peeve. I really don't like it when people (even outside of sales) do a "job description" resume. I can look up a job title and figure out what you do. But what makes you different from the person sitting next to you with the same title? Don’t have a job that has quantitative results to share? What other stats set you apart? Employee of the month? Highest customer satisfaction ranking? You handle xxx number of support calls in a day? Whatever job you have, there is something that makes you different, and it needs to be on your resume. 

• Include your level of Education. Some jobs don’t require certain levels, but this is important to include and they will probably ask anyway. This is especially important if you’re an entry level applicant without corporate experience yet. And again- did anything set you apart? Graduate with honors? Captain of a sports team? 

• Include relevant skills (ex. Knowing Microsoft office, Salesforce, etc.). Avoid including irrelevant experience (ex. Personal activities).

Tips to Remember:

• Avoid any Simple mistakes (ex. Spelling errors). This drives me CRAZY especially when there are tools like “spell check”. This could be your only shot and the “devil is in the details”.

• Don't put your picture on your resume. Unless you’re a model- this is unnecessary. 

• Don't use crazy colors and fonts unless you are in a "creative" industry/role (graphic design, etc.)  

• Choose Quality over Quantity. Your resume doesn't have to be just one page or a full 2 pages. It can be 1.5 pages. Along those lines, don't use tiny font to cram everything in.

• Save your resume in a correct and professional name (ex. “Joan Smith Resume” vs. “Joan Smith version 1 copy”). 

• Make sure your email address is professional (ex. HotMama123@gmail may have been a fun email in college- but it’s not appropriate in the work force. 

• Print your resume before you send an electronic copy. Different email systems and browsers open attachments in different ways and preview in different ways. Print yours out and make sure it matches what you think it is supposed to look like. 

• Have more than one resume that is geared towards the position you are applying for if you have multiple skills (ex. Sales resume AND a marketing resume) if applying for both types of jobs.

I hope this helps! Remember- this is your time to stand out and brag about yourself (in a professional manor). Make sure your resume is something that you’re proud of and reflects the time and effort it took to put it all together. Good luck and let me know if you have any additional questions I can answer or advice I can give!