6 Ways to Make Your Résumé Stand Out

Here’s a question for every job seeker: Does your résumé cite *activities*, or does your résumé cite *achievements*?

If you’re like most people, then you cite activities. These are typically your day-to-day duties. They read like a laundry list.

By contrast, an achievement packs a punch. It uses adjectives, numbers, and results to quantify your work and make it specific and real.

When your résumé is shot through with activities, it’s like all the others: Forgettable. But with achievements, you stand out. You make yourself distinctive, impressive, and memorable.

To these ends, here’s a glimpse of what we’ll cover:

• How to write to the job description.
• How to make each of your bullet points fulfill the “V.N.R.” formula.
• How to transform your responsibilities into achievements.
• How to quantify your experience even if you don’t work in an inherently quant-y field.
• How to make your résumé visually impactful.
• How a “summary” differs from an “objective.”
• How — and how not — to round off numbers.
• How to reframe a “skills” section.

Transcript

1. THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, College Park, Maryland Adjunct Professor of Business Writing, 2014 – Present • Teach the principles of business writing, encompassing subjects from proposals to PowerPoint, from memos to media training to, from branding to blogging. • Earn enthusiastic evaluations from colleagues and students, many of whom volunteer to be my teaching assistant or hire me for subsequent ghostwriting. • Nominated, by students, for a teaching award from the Office of Undergraduate Studies for “gaining and holding the attention of students in a way that few other classes do.” THE JONATHAN RICK GROUP, Arlington, Virginia President, 2011 – Present • Develop crisp and cogent copy that entertains readers as much as it educates them. • Deliver workshops on corporate communication to Fortune 1,000 companies, national nonprofits, federal agencies, and individual executives. • Conduct communication boot camps for AXA, the Food and Drug Administration, Johns Hopkins University, Booz Allen Hamilton, and chambers of commerce around the country. ROCK CREEK STRATEGIC MARKETING, Chevy Chase, Maryland Senior Strategist, 2010 – 2011 Led highly collaborative teams of strategists, technologists, and designers on innovative social media and advocacy projects that won rave reviews from demanding clients. 6 Ways to Make Your Résumé Stand Out
2. From Subject Line Time Carrie Bradshaw Applying for Strategist Position 8:00 am Samantha Jones I Want to Be Your Next Strategist! 6:03 am Charlotte York Please Accept My Résumé Aug 5 Miranda Hobbes Strategist Aug 5 Steve Brady The United Nations Aug 5 John J. Preston Strategist – John J. Preston Aug 5 Stanford Blatch Application for U.N. Strategist Aug 5 Trey MacDougal Strategist Position Aug 5 Aidan U.N. strategist Aug 5 H. Goldenblatt Job Posting #349 Aug 5 Jerry “Smith” Jerrod Aug 4 magda Strategy Aug 4
4. IF YOU DISAGREE
5. Right Wrong resume résumé
6. 1. Stages 2. Job Description 3. Achievements 4. Aesthetics 5. Rookie Mistakes 6. Pro Tricks
7. Know the Process 1 #
8. Stage Question Résumé Screening Call Interviews Are you qualified to do the job? Can you speak to these qualifications? Do you fit our culture? Cover Letter Should I read your résumé?
9. “He or she who gets hired is not necessarily the one who can do that job best; but the one who knows the most about how to get hired.” — Richard Bolles
10. Write to the Job Description 2 #
11. What the Client Is Looking For What I Call Myself A ghostwriter. A speechwriter.
13. 5 business development 3 aggressive
14. w ordcounter.net
15. Résumé #3 Marketing Résumé #1 Workshops Résumé #2 Writing
16. If I asked you to send me your résumé, what would you do?
17. Should you call the section for your job history “Experience”?
18. Uncommon Common ❌ Experience ❌ Work Experience ❌ Job History ü Business Development Experience ü Sales Accomplishments ü Public Relations Expertise
19. Transform Your Activities Into Achievements 3 #
20. V R N N R
21. V R N erbs
22. V R N N umbers
23. V R N N R esults
24. V R N erbs
25. Verbs 1. Keep your résumé consistent.
26. Verbs 1. Keep your résumé consistent. 2. Make your work sound powerful.
27. Achievement Activity Held a weekly lunch with three other department heads. Organized a weekly lunch with three other department heads. Verbs
28. Achievement Activity Made a wardrobe for a 30-something single woman in Manhattan. Designed a wardrobe for a 30-something single woman in Manhattan. Verbs
29. V R N N umbers
30. Numbers 1. Provide proof that your claims are more than just puffery.
31. Numbers 1. Provide proof that your claims are more than just puffery. 2. Concretize your work, making it specific and real.
32. Achievement Activity Argued before the New York State Supreme Court. Argued 13 cases before the New York State Supreme Court. Num bers
33. Achievement Activity Increased the firm’s followers on Twitter. Increased the firm’s followers on Twitter, from 250 to 1,000. Num bers
34. BUT…
35. 1. I don’t really work with hard numbers. 2. My job leans more on softer skills. 3. I don’t have data to pull from.
36. R F P
37. R F P ange
38. R F P requency
39. R F P eople
40. Achievement Activity Prepared daily summaries of the top news stories for the firm’s C.E.O. Prepared daily summaries of the top three to five news stories for the firm’s C.E.O. Range
41. Achievement Activity Wrote a column, “Sex and the City,” for the New York Star. Wrote a weekly column, “Sex and the City,” for the New York Star. Frequency
42. Achievement Activity Recruited volunteers for a charity walk to raise money for breast-cancer research. Recruited 12 volunteers for a charity walk to raise money for breast-cancer research. People
43. V R N N R esults
44. Results 1. Help the hiring manager imagine that you can achieve the same results for his company.
45. Results 1. Keep your résumé consistent. 2. Transform an activity into an accomplishment.
46. Achievement Activity Choreographed photoshoots. Choreographed photoshoots that won over a demanding client. Results
47. Achievement Activity Spearheaded a media campaign about Smith Jerrod. Spearheaded a media campaign about Smith Jerrod, which helped land him on an Absolut Vodka billboard in Times Square. Results
48. GET SPECIFIC
49. Activity Was responsible for organizing a gathering of peer professionals to discuss possible steps toward improving relations among diverse department entities
50. Achievement Activity Was responsible for organizing Initiated and oversaw
51. Achievement Activity Was responsible for organizing a gathering of peer professionals Initiated and oversaw a conference of IT specialists
52. Achievement Activity Was responsible for organizing a gathering of peer professionals to discuss possible steps toward improving relations Initiated and oversaw a conference of IT specialists to foster cooperation and communication
53. Achievement Activity Was responsible for organizing a gathering of peer professionals to discuss possible steps toward improving relations among diverse department entities Initiated and oversaw a conference of IT specialists to foster cooperation and communication across 7 departments
54. You Decide! 1/5 Created a C++ database for a children’s programming course, thus allowing teachers to remotely track 300 students’ progress in real time.
55. Created a C++ database for a children’s programming course, thus allowing teachers to remotely track 300 students’ progress in real time. 1/5 ACHIEVEMENT
56. You Decide! 2/5 Delegated tasks to a team of three, and monitored the team’s progress.
57. Delegated tasks to a team of three, and monitored the team’s progress. 2/5 ACTIVITY
58. You Decide! 3/5 Used propriety research about macroeconomic trends in Asia Pacific to upsell clients.
59. Used propriety research about macroeconomic trends in Asia Pacific to upsell clients. 3/5 ACHIEVEMENT
60. You Decide! 4/5 Update the weekly predictor model used by management to assess company performance.
61. Update the weekly predictor model used by management to assess company performance. 4/5 ACTIVITY
62. You Decide! 5/5 Designed two surveys that streamlined communication between software engineers and product developers.
63. Designed two surveys that streamlined communication between software engineers and product developers. 5/5 ACHIEVEMENT
64. AN EXCEPTION
65. The Jonathan Rick Group President Orchestrate high-stakes communication campaigns that engender buzz, drive public opinion, and motivate people to action.
66. Orchestrates Orchestrate Orchestrate high-stakes digital-marketing campaigns. Orchestrates high-stakes digital-marketing campaigns.
67. Orchestrates Orchestrate I orchestrate high-stakes digital-marketing campaigns that engender buzz, drive public opinion, and motivate people to action. I orchestrates high-stakes digital-marketing campaigns that engender buzz, drive public opinion, and motivate people to action.
68. RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO GET FLOWERY
69. Instead, Do This Don’t Do This Upgraded and deployed a new environmental illumination system without any cost overruns or safety incidents. Changed a light bulb.
70. Care About Aesthetics 4 #
71. Does the thickness of the paper you use matter?
72. What size font should you use?
73. Is it ok to use colors?
74. How can you vertically align the dates for each of your jobs?
75. ❌
76. 1 2 3
77. Should you include an “objective” or “mission statement”?
78. Objective To get a job that helps me pay the rent.
79. Mission Statement To make a lot of money without doing a lot of work.
80. Should you include a “summary”?
81. Summary 1. Establishes a framework.
82. Summary 1. Establishes a framework. 2. Facilitates scanning.
83. Summary 1. Establishes a framework. 2. Facilitates scanning. 3. Emphasizes key points.
84. Summary 1. Establishes a framework. 2. Facilitates scanning. 3. Emphasizes key points. 4. Identifies common threads.
85. Summary 1. Establishes a framework. 2. Facilitates scanning. 3. Emphasizes key points. 4. Identifies common threads. 5. Focuses attention.
86. Summary An energetic and enterprising ghostwriter. Excel at delivering copy that’s clear, crisp, and convincing, in formats such as résumés, cover letters, personal statements, elevator pitches, and LinkedIn profiles.
87. Avoid Rookie Mistakes 5 #
88. Don’t be selfish.
89. “The hiring manager isn’t here to make your dreams come true. They’re in it for themselves. OK, that’s harsh, but the truth is that they’re looking for an awesome candidate to come in and do a kick-ass job that’ll help them run their department (or company) more efficiently and successfully.” — Lisa Siva
90. Selfless Selfish Expanded my knowledge of GAAP compliance. Stayed abreast of the latest GAAP regulations.
91. Selfless Selfish Gained networking experience by meeting with other chapter presidents. Met regularly with other chapter presidents to swap best practices and coordinate activities.
92. Selfless Selfish Honed time-management skills. Juggled competing client demands without sacrificing the quality of service.
93. Selfless Selfish Learned the importance of corporate social responsibility. Helped define Exxon’s policy on corporate social responsibility by contributing research to the company’s 2018 annual report.
94. Be consistent.
95. Consistent Inconsistent ❌ Employee of the Month ❌ Served as first point of contact for visitors, deliveries, and phone calls ❌ Recruited interns, and screened them for interviews ü Named Employee of the Month for overtime work ü Served as first point of contact for visitors, deliveries, and phone calls ü Recruited interns, and screened them for interviews
96. Consistent Inconsistent ❌ Named Employee of the Month for overtime work. ❌ Served as first point of contact for visitors, deliveries, and phone calls. ❌ Recruited interns, and screened them for interviews ü Named Employee of the Month for overtime work. ü Served as first point of contact for visitors, deliveries, and phone calls. ü Recruited interns, and screened them for interviews.
97. Consistent Inconsistent ❌ Short Hills, NJ ❌ Clinton, NY ❌ Arlington, V.A. ü Short Hills, NJ ü Clinton, NY ü Arlington, VA
98. Consistent Inconsistent ❌ Human Resources Director ❌ Associate Director of Human Resources ❌ Assistant Director of Human Resources ü Director of Human Resources ü Associate Director of Human Resources ü Assistant Director of Human Resources
99. Consistent Inconsistent ❌ 2015 - Present ❌ 2011- 2015 ❌ 2008 - 2011 ❌ 2005 - 2008 ü 2015 – Present ü 2011 – 2015 ü 2008 – 2011 ü 2005 – 2008
100. How can I show experience if I don’t have any?
101. 1. Coursework
102. 1. Coursework 2. Internships
103. 1. Coursework 2. Internships 3. Clubs
104. 1. Coursework 2. Internships 3. Clubs 4. Sports
105. 1. Coursework 2. Internships 3. Clubs 4. Sports 5. Personal Projects
106. Account Executive, Advertising Sales Yellow Book Seriously: I sold phone-book ads. Right when smartphones came out. In the Detroit area. The joke just writes itself. What do phone-book ads have to do with my current copywriting calling? Only everything. As a salesman, I hit the streets and talked every day with small-business owners about their passions, their dreams, their challenges. I realized that the smartest entrepreneurs have a deep appreciation for the power of marketing and a heightened BS detector. So, I learned how to shut up and listen, how to unearth hidden emotional pains and triggers, and how to convince people to buy with their hearts. This B2B knowledge now informs every project I take on.
107. Barista Latte Larry’s On the weekends in high school, I was an entry-level, minimum- wage barista at the campus coffee shop. Not the most glamourous job, but nonetheless a critical one. Really? What exactly does the experience of serving cups of Joe have to do with my career in journalism? Only everything. Let me explain. Dealing with people — especially on a campus as big and as diverse as that of the University of Maryland’s — is tough. Some customers are belligerent; others struggle with spoken English; others are exactly the entitled narcissists whom society has come to associate with Gen Z. Yet whatever the situation, I found a way to defuse it. Sometimes that meant giving away a free scone. Sometimes that meant spending a few extra minutes perfecting the swirl on a latte. Sometimes that meant saying “sorry” (even when I wasn’t wrong). As a reporter, I’ll encounter sources of all varieties. Some of these folks will be weird; others will be wonderful. Yet in order to succeed, I’ll have to cultivate all comers. I’ll have to be humble, adaptable, and welcoming — three traits that I mastered as a college barista at Latte Larry’s.
108. How long should your résumé be?
111. Should you list your references?
112. In the “heading” space for each job, how many identifying details do you need?
114. 1. Employer 2. Title 3. Location 4. Dates
115. 1. I worked at ________, 2. where I was a ________, 3. from ________. 4. located in ________,
116. Samantha Jones PR Founder 1998 – 2004 New York, New York
117. Master the Tricks Used by the Pros 6 #
118. Is it ok to change your job title?
119. Résumé Business Card Senior Consultant Senior Consultant, Alumni Affairs
120. Elevator Pitch Contract Lecturer Adjunct Professor
121. Describe any employers that your audience might not recognize.
122. Clear Unclear Susan Davis International Account Executive Launched and led the digital department. Susan Davis International Account Executive Launched and led the digital department of this boutique PR agency.
123. Clear Unclear The USMCA Coalition Executive Director Founded this nonprofit to lobby for congressional approval of the 2018 North American trade deal. The USMCA Coalition Executive Director Founded this nonprofit, which consists of the top business trade associations, to lobby for congressional approval of the 2018 North American trade deal.
124. Should you include a “skills” section?
125. Embarrassing ❌ Word ❌ Google Docs ❌ Windows ❌ Social Media
126. Useful Useless ❌ Excel ❌ Photoshop ü Created advanced pivot tables in Excel to track inventory in real time ü Designed images and ads, in Photoshop, for clients’ Facebook and Twitter accounts
128. 5 Reasons Why People Think They Need a “Skills” Section on Their Résumé — And Why They’re Wrong JONATHANRICK.COM
129. How should you present numbers?
130. With Context Without Context Grew sales to $5M/year. Grew sales by 66%, from $3M/year to $5M/year.
131. #5 $12,500 #1 $12,329 #2 $12,000+ #3 $12,300 #4 ~$12,500 $12,329
132. #5 255 tickets #1 254 tickets #2 Over 250 tickets #3 300 tickets #4 250 tickets 254
133. BUT NEVER LIE
134. Yahoo Confirms CEO Is Out After Résumé Scandal
135. Dean at M.I.T. Resigns, Ending a 28-Year Lie
136. A USPS Vice President Was (Quietly) Sent to Prison for Lying on His Job Application
137. How do you account for time off?
138. Multitasking Might Stay at Home Mom, 2008 – 2018 v Raised 3 young children, instilling in each the values of hard work, honesty, and excellence. v Managed household finances, creating and adhering to a budget for a family of 6. v Implemented HR procedures by resolving all manner of complaints and arguments.
139. RECAP 1. What’s the purpose of a résumé? 2. Name a website that identifies key phrases in a job description. 3. Each one of your bullet points should ideally adhere to the “VNR” formula. What’s “VNR”? 4. Name one rookie mistake. 5. How can you align dates? 6. Should you include a “summary”? 7. Instead of calling your job history “experience,” what might you call it?
140. LET’S REVIEW YOUR RÉSUMÉ! hi@jonathanrick.com