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Contents
The Fundamentals of a Powerful Resume
Before we get started, let’s briefly look at the fundaments of a powerful resume.
As you write your resume, it is helpful to keep these fundamental requirements in mind. This will help you to stay focused and guide you to the right content.
Persuasive
The purpose of your resume is to persuade the hiring manager to interview you ahead of other applicants.
To do this, you need to support your competency claims with evidence; success stories, performance statements, and testimonials.
Following this guide, you will also be prompted to apply persuasive writing techniques, for example, strategic repetition, demonstration of proofs, and appeal to emotion through storytelling.
As you write your resume, remember for each skill, strength, or personal quality you claim to have, you need to include actual evidence.
Targeted
Your resume should be targeted to the role you are applying.
The customisation of your resume is key to persuasively demonstrating that you can perform the specific role you are applying. Furthermore, a targeted resume will ensure you are not screened out by the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
As you write your resume, make sure it addresses the key selection criteria found on the position description or within the job advertisement.
If it is not relevant to the role you are applying for – leave it out!
If you don’t initially have a specific role in mind, set a broad focus based on your ideal role or career interests. Then, make sure you then target your resume specifically each time you apply.
Authentic
Building a connection with the human reader is just as important as optimising your resume for the ATS. Likeability, after all, is a crucial principle of persuasion!
To achieve this, you need to present an authentic representation of yourself by sharing insights into your energy and personality and writing in an authentic voice (no buzzwords & no overstatements).
You should give insights into your motivation, personality and share stories of your past success that demonstrate your unique approach.
As you write your resume, be mindful of using your authentic voice and providing an insight into what sets you apart.
Related: How to Write an Authentic Resume
Additional Help
Alongside these non-negotiables for a powerful resume, there are additional helpful guidelines here, covering other key elements of a good resume including personal brand, writing for the ATS, and selecting a solid design.
If you are interested in ATS scanning and the impact of resume design on scan-ability, see: Read This Before You Use a Canva Resume Template
Step One: Form the Basic Structure
Writing your resume is like completing a jigsaw puzzle. You create the basic outline, add pieces as you find them, and eventually piece by piece it comes together.
I recommend you start by first setting out the basic structure of your resume and filling out the essential details. Just like you start a jigsaw; finding the corner pieces, constructing the edges and filling in some of the obvious pieces.
You have two options; you can do this directly into your selected template or alternatively, you can create a basic word document and focus on formatting and creating visual impact later.
Either way, your first step is to insert the basic details into your template and form the structure of your resume.
The easy pieces of your resume will be your name, your address, your LinkedIn URL, the basic details of all your professional experience including dates and position titles, education and professional development.
Having this basic structure in place will allow you to add additional information as it comes to you under the correct section heading.
Selecting a Template
Selecting the right template is critical! The design of your resume can impact the first impression you make and affect your resume’s success passing the Applicant Tracking System.
For a demonstration of the impact of resume design on the scan-ability of your resume see: Read This Before You Use a Canva Resume Template
I advocate strongly for content substance over design. Your priority should always be creating persuasive, authentic, and targeted content. Making it visually appealing comes second and never at the expense of your resume content.
There is an abundance of templates available online. Here is a good example from Etsy from GetLanded.
Do keep in mind if you are using a predesigned template; you risk leaving important information out or sacrificing the quality of your content to fit the template.
Find a template that gives some flexibility. One that allows you to add additional headings, include more bullets in your achievement lists and move sections around so you are leading with your strongest content first.
Related: Resume Formatting & Style Tips
Extra Tip
This is also a good time to send requests for a LinkedIn testimonial or a reference letter. While you wait for your manager, colleague, or teacher to find the perfect words to describe your work ethic you can move on to step two.
Next Step: Scope of Your Past Experience
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