Writing your own resume
My clients know me as a resume writer, but I also work full-time in corporate communications. An opportunity has come open, and I am contemplating a new role within my company. This means that instead of writing someone else’s resume, I am now writing my own.
I’m here to tell you, it’s not easy!
Sure, I know the basics of writing a resume—principles to write and format. But crafting the content is what makes a resume hard to write. What accomplishments should I include? How do I quantify the value I provided? And all of the other questions my clients ask, and I answer without hesitation.
If you plan to write your own resume, here are my tips based on my experience as a resume writer and someone who has recently updated their resume.
Writing your resume
Don’t go more than two years without updating your resume. This makes updates easier and faster.
Document accomplishments every quarter. You can’t include accomplishments you’ve forgotten. Document how you served your customers, company and team. If you haven’t tracked, look for the info in your performance reviews or company quarterly reports. You might even sift through emails and files to refresh your memory.
Reflect on your impact. Create sentences using strong action verbs and metrics. I was surprised at how much harder this was to do for myself than for my clients. I felt like I was bragging and while that is the role of a resume, it felt forced when I do it for myself. This step will take a lot of time.
Craft a unique summary with a hook. It should highlight your top accomplishments and strengths, and connect with the jobs you will apply for. Remember, a hiring manager only looks at your resume for six seconds before they decide to keep reading or move to the next resume. Your summary must grab and keep their attention.
Edit, edit, edit. Watch for passive language and challenge yourself when listing work tasks vs. accomplishments. Eliminate extra words. Watch for repetitive language. Remove dated and irrelevant experiences.
Ask for feedback. Find a professional who understands what hiring managers are looking for. This could be a current or former co-worker, a friend or family member, or someone whose experience and opinions you value. They should know your value in the organization and feel comfortable giving their opinion.
Proofread. Find at least two people to proofread.
Design. Help your resume pop. If you missed it, read my blog about resume templates.
An excellent resume takes time, and you cannot cut corners. You’ll always be ready for an opportunity if you invest the time in building and updating your resume.
Not sure if you can do it on your own? Learn more about my services.
