Resume Writing For Career Advancement

Our client came to us after 100+ apps with no results. They applied our system and scored multiple interviews despite layoffs and visa pressure. Here are 6 strategies they used to make it happen: Context: When this client came to us, they were on a temporary contract that was about to expire. Layoffs were looming, and they’d applied to 100+ jobs without a single solid lead. They felt stuck, overlooked, and unsure of what was going wrong. Built A Real Job Search System We stopped the cycle of endless applications and refocused their efforts. They learned to prioritize their goals and define what a great job looked like. From there, they built a scorecard to evaluate opportunities with clarity and confidence. Shifted From Applying To Targeting Instead of waiting for roles to appear, they created a list of dream companies. They researched teams, roles, and aligned values. Then, they used that to shape outreach. No more applying cold. Every move was strategic. Transformed Their Resume & LinkedIn They optimized their resume and LinkedIn using real data and storytelling. They added impact-focused bullet points and keywords to boost match rates. Their confidence skyrocketed. And so did profile views and recruiter reachouts. Tested Multiple Networking Approaches They used tactics like: – The Advice Triangle – Personalized Partnerships – And Sharing Resources When reply rates were low, we analyzed the data and adapted. “Sharing Resources” turned out to be the most effective, so they doubled down on it. Followed Up Like A Pro Instead of one-and-done messages, they sent strategic follow-ups after 3 and 5 days. This persistence paid off with actual conversations, connections, and momentum. Every touchpoint brought them closer to referrals and opportunities. Focused On What They Could Control Rather than stress over layoffs or job market noise, they zeroed in on actions: – Clear messaging – Consistent outreach – Thoughtful follow-ups – Creating value for their target companies That mindset shift made all the difference. The Outcome: Confidence + Opportunities After joining the program, they rebuilt their confidence, booked interviews, and created real traction. They told us: “I feel more confident than ever with my resume, LinkedIn, and job search strategy.” Their new approach gave them control, clarity, and results. 🔁 Sick of getting rejected from every role you apply for? We'll show you how to map this system to your search to start consistently landing multiple interviews. 👉 Grab a free 1:1 call with our team to see how: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

If you've never hired an executive resume writer before, here are some things that you should consider: 1. A great resume writer will start from scratch. They will not take your old content and "refresh" it with a new format. They will likely have you send a few examples of ideal job descriptions and will dissect those JDs to figure out the right messaging and content to showcase on your career documents. 2. A great resume takes TIME to write. Job seekers often say, "Just do your magic," and assume we can crank out a new document in a few hours. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. An executive resume can take a writer anywhere between 10 and 25+ hours to write. Great writing involves research (in many cases, pulling annual reports or looking at slide decks), "deep thought" work, and editing. 3. In demand resume writers often have wait lists. Over the years, I've encountered many disappointed individuals who delayed starting the resume writing process until they were fully prepared to begin a job search. They assumed they could engage my services immediately upon reaching out. For most entrepreneurs in service industries, having a waitlist is a desired outcome. Consider the stress of not knowing if you'll have enough billable hours each week as a business owner. 4. Check reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau before making a decision. Some popular voices on LinkedIn have bad reviews. Personally, I believe it's difficult to satisfy every single person, so encountering a few negative reviews isn't necessarily a deal-breaker for me. However, I would pay attention to any recurring patterns or trends in the comments. 5. New resume writers tend to charge lower rates. When I first started writing resumes, my rates were much lower than they are now. There are two main reasons for this change. First, I didn't know how to properly value my time and I was significantly undervaluing my efforts. As a result, I wasn't making a living wage. Second, the quality of my work back then was not as high as it is now. With experience comes expertise. I'm proud to say that through my business, Briefcase Coach, I've crafted over 1,000 executive resumes. Working with a diverse range of clients has given me a deep understanding of how to effectively position leaders. 6. The ROI of working with a great resume writer goes beyond just a marketing document. Most people report that they have greater career clarity and a deeper understanding of their value proposition. Not only that, great resume writers will give you training in how to tell your story better (and capture results!) for a future job search. #Resume #ResumeWriter #ExecutiveResume

A few weeks ago, I volunteered at the 2024 Melbourne Career Expo, and together with my awesome Career Development Association Australia colleagues, we provided free resume checks 📃and career counselling sessions for the general public 👩🧑🏾🦱👩🏼🦰👩🏽🦱. A consistent issue I saw over the weekend was people presenting with generic, two-column / one-page and / or ineffective Resumes ❌ that were not targeted to the roles they were applying for. When speaking to these people, they told me they had applied for sometimes hundreds! of roles 🤯with little to no feedback. I hear this everyday in my own business too. Here were some of my key recommendations which I hope may help you too: 💡𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙇𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚  - Avoid fancy graphics, logos, images, personal pictures and intricate fonts. These can get blocked by Applicant Tracking Systems. - Use conservative fonts like Arial, Tahoma, Verdana, or Calibri. - Ensure plenty of white space and avoid using a two-column Resume. Stick to a single-column layout; it's the best practice in Australia. 💡𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 & 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 - Customise your Resume for each job application. - Read the job ad thoroughly and understand the key skills / job requirements. - Address how you meet the key requirements of the role by incorporating relevant keywords from the job ad in context throughout your Resume. - 𝗧𝗶𝗽: add a 'Key Skills' section on the first page of your Resume and include relevant keywords and phrases here. 💡𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲  - Add a 4-5 line Career Profile at the top of the first page. - Summarise and highlight your professional identity, experience, skills, strengths, and expertise. - Use this section to capture attention and include relevant keywords. 💡𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 / 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀  - List achievements and highlights, not just responsibilities for each role. - Quantify your achievements to demonstrate your value and stand out from the competition. 💡𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱  - Ensure your resume is free of spelling and grammatical errors. - Have a friend or family member review it before submitting. If you have questions or need assistance with your resume, feel free to contact me! 😊 #resumeadvice #resumetips #careerdevelopment

I've read countless resumes over the past 1 year and I've noticed a trend where applicants stretch the truth. Because they hope to make a stronger impression. While it might be tempting to embellish achievements or responsibilities to stand out, remember that authenticity speaks volumes. Here are my TWO most important tips for keeping your resume honest yet impactful: 1. Showcase Your True Achievements: Focus on what you've genuinely accomplished. Use specific examples and quantify your results wherever possible. This approach is far more powerful than vague embellishments. 2. Remember the Big Picture: Before adding anything to your resume, think about how you'd feel if your prospective employer discussed your resume in a staff meeting. If there’s anything you wouldn’t want to explain or defend, it’s probably best left off. At Lawyantra, we value the truth and believe that integrity is non-negotiable. We seek candidates who are not only skilled but also genuinely represent their experiences and values. It’s not just about avoiding falsehoods but about proudly showcasing your true self and what you can bring to a team. #resumebuilding #ethicalresume #interview 

I'm so fortunate to be in a position where others trust me or feel comfortable enough to send their resume and ask for feedback. Many are in early-career positions and looking for a first job out of graduate health care programs. Others are in their first few years, and looking for a step-up in responsibilities. Some are wanting to pivot after successful runs in one part of the healthcare ecosystem, and don't know exactly how to position themselves. I don't know that I've got any or all the answers (except for applying to Administrative Fellowships, that's where I feel comfortable enough - having applied to 50 of them by hand - that our advice is the best, we actually literally sell it in a guide 🤣), but in general: - Two pages at the most. And I mean most. - Put your education at the bottom of the page and take off the year. - Have the highest-hitting two-sentence overview right at the top (like "x type of leader who accomplished xyz by doing x at x organizations). Bullet points: At any stage of career, I feel like people fall in love with their bullet point descriptions of their roles 🤣 Their current job might have 10 bullet points. All 10 are probably awesome, but all 10 are probably not relevant to the job you're applying to and no one is going to try to dig up bullet points that aren't there. If your job is a blend of strategy and operations, but you're applying to a strategy job: make your current job bullet points more about strategy than operations. Leave the ones off that don't apply to future job. That's strategy :) My other $0.02: Clean and crisp with enough white space in between sections that it feels like I won't get stressed reading it. By clean and crisp I mean, even health tech is still health care, so none of the two-column stuff or interesting fonts and shading and thick lines. Just: Name Email | phone | linkedin url Two Sentence Description, the best of you. Professional Experience Line Title, Location (optional), Dates Tailored bullet points (4 or 5-ish) Past Title, Location (optional), Dates Tailored bullet points (less than the current role) Repeat for all experiences Leadership Experience (or "Volunteer Experience", "Technical Skills" etc) Line Title, Year Bullet point outcomes or listing of skills that set you apart (not "Microsoft Word" unless you literally made Microsoft Word). Education Line Degree, Year Interesting Stuff during school That's kind of it. Boring, maybe. Strategic, every line a thoughtful, truthful, representation of the best of your work life? Yep. Then, find a friend of a friend at that dream organization and buy them lunch. Make it easy on them by sending your resume that's tailored to the role you want. Repeat that as many times as it takes. You might end up at a place like SAS where your private office is across the hall from a five-star catered dessert bar set up for customers who visit from around the world and no one stops you if you peruse it daily.

Marsha was in her 50s and hoping to make a career pivot. "Have I got chance?" she asked me. I'll tell you what I told her: Ageism in the job market is real. But, if you are prepared, you can overcome the obstacles. It had been years since she'd applied or interviewed for a job. We worked together on her resume, LinkedIn, networking, and interviewing to package her for the job she wanted. When she called to say she'd gotten an offer for a great new job in pharma, with a 30% pay increase, I was jumping up & down!! I want to be clear that this was not easy. It took a lot of focus. Here is the multi-pronged approach we worked on together: 🎯 Resume Strategy: ↳ Focus on impact ("Delivered $2M in savings" vs "25 years of experience") ↳ Go back no more than 15 years  ↳ Highlight current technical skills, leave off old ones ↳ Take the graduation year off all degrees ↳ Contact info should include only city, state (no street address) ↳ Ditch the AOL, and hotmail email addresses; they date you 🌐Networking Strategy: ↳ Reconnect with former colleagues & give them an update ↳ Practice talking about your skills and abilities ↳ Speak to others who've successfully overcome the age barrier ↳ Make sure your LinkedIn profile follows best practices ↳ Work toward 500+ connections ↳ Post and comment on LinkedIn weekly 🏢 Employer Strategy: ↳ Target 40-50 companies with age-diverse cultures ↳ Talk to people in similar roles & ask about key skills ↳ Ask HR/recruiters about their hiring process ↳ Follow each employer on social media to learn priorities 💡 Interview Strategy: ↳ Lead with energy and genuine interest ↳ Show you've done your research with deep preparation ↳ Be ready with stories that include cross-generational work ↳ Share examples of your adaptability and growth mindset ↳ Talk about new skills you've built and show you're on top of trends ↳ Communicate your experience working with diverse people 🤵🏼Personal Strategy: ↳ Take additional courses & certifications to keep your skills fresh ↳ Stay current in your field with podcasts and social media ↳ Make reasonable adjustments to your appearance ↳ Clothes should fit well and be current, but not "trendy" ↳ Avoid language that "dates" you (ask a trusted younger friend) Remember: You're not "overqualified" You have battle-tested wisdom. That, along with these strategies, will set you up as a strong candidate! ♻ Repost to help people who are facing ageism in their job search 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more strategic career insights

Many HR professionals are finding it challenging to even get their foot in the door for an interview. But a well-crafted resume can be the key to unlocking new opportunities. Here are some tips to help you stand out: ➡️ 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐰? For example, "Reported directly to the CHRO, overseeing a team of 10 HR Business Partners and managing HR functions for a workforce of 1,000+ employees." 🤝 ➡️ 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥, 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, 𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞? Make it clear, such as "Managed compensation and benefits for regional offices across APAC" or "Spearheaded employee engagement strategies for 15 locations worldwide." 🌏 ➡️ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧? Sometimes, less is more. Focus on the achievements that are most relevant to the job. If the position requires workforce planning experience, prioritize that information at the top of the paragraph and be specific. For example: “Conducted a comprehensive review of the current organizational structure, identifying redundant roles, skill gaps, and areas with unclear accountabilities.” 🏢 ➡️ 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐧? When describing your Compensation & Benefits (C&B) experience, use commonly known jargon to enhance clarity and impact. For example, “Developed a salary structure for over 500 employees to ensure market alignment and internal equity" or "Implemented point-factor job sizing to optimize role classification across departments." 🏙️ ↪️ I'm very heartened when one of my candidates landed an interview, after applying these tips. It’s proof that small adjustments and persistence can make a significant impact. Keep pushing forward, and never give up! ↗️📈 #JobSearch #HR #HRResumeTips #CareerAdvice

“How do I fit 20 years of experience into 2 pages?” A fair question — and a frustrating one for many experienced professionals. Because trimming your resume doesn’t feel natural. It feels like cutting out your hard work, your growth, your legacy. But here’s a shift in perspective: - You’re not cutting your story short. - You’re sharpening its impact. The truth is — at mid to senior levels, your resume is no longer a career timeline. It’s a leadership snapshot. A strategic document. A decision-making tool. What hiring managers want to know is: ✔ What kind of results do you drive? ✔ What decisions have you owned? ✔ How do you lead? ✔ Are you the right fit for this business challenge? They don’t need your entire journey. They need proof you can deliver — fast. So how do you make 20+ years fit with purpose? Start with this: - Focus on relevance, not chronology - Highlight business outcomes, not responsibilities - Let your next role guide what you choose to show - Don’t tell it all. Tell what matters now. Your experience is your foundation. But it’s your positioning that moves the needle. And in two pages, you can absolutely make that happen, if every line earns its place. 📩 If you’re in the middle of a career transition and unsure what to keep or cut — send me a message. Let’s make sure your resume works as hard as you do.

In my upcoming book about my career transition program, Career Velocity, I highlight the journey of a former client, a VP who was laid off after 25+ years with the same company, and the job landing delays due to missteps made with the advice from the outplacement services he was provided. While writing about job search strategies reminded me of Rich Lehmann's courage and persistence. Twice laid off during economic downturns, Rich had 99 in-person conversations before landing a role at his dream company, Nike, where he spent nearly a decade. Today, he volunteers his job search expertise to others facing similar challenges with Lake Grove Job Seekers. Layoffs are our current reality, even at companies like Nike and Intel Corporation, sometimes softened by severance packages that include generic outplacement services. But these packages alone don't prepare you for the strategic networking needed to secure your next role. Consider my anonymous client, a VP in his mid-50s who was laid off after a long tenure with the same company. He received a polished resume and vague advice to "start networking" from his outplacement service. But without a clear unique value proposition (UVP), he struggled, confusing his network with unfocused conversations. When he was referred to me, his job search had been delayed over six months. To say he was frustrated would be an understatement. His polished resume, with a “Swiss Army knife” full of tools, failed to communicate his unique value. He had exhausted his limited network, and his earlier lack of focus had made him hesitant to reach out again. We worked on clarifying his narrative, defining his target roles, and crafting success stories that showcased his strategic value. The result? A focused approach that resonated with his network, leading to meaningful connections and opportunities. ➡ Remember, your resume supports your brand—it isn't your brand. Relying solely on it is not enough. ➡ Shore up your UVP *first* -- before you network! Success in today's job market requires focused networking, relationship building, and clear communication of your strategic value. I welcome you to read Lehmann’s eight steps to effective networking. If you know someone who has been laid off, please feel free to share his inspiring story with others. 💡 Let's reimagine outplacement services by starting with a clear UVP and equipping job seekers with a comprehensive toolkit they can use to achieve success. What say you Jennifer, Lyndsay, Anna, Dan, ✒️Claire, and the rest of the Intry team? #jobs #careers #management 6453 ALUMNI Intel Alumni Network