After more than 20 years in the careers industry – collaborating with executive job seekers to define their personal brand and create their executive resume, LinkedIn profile, biography, cover letters, and other personal marketing collaterals – I’ve innovated and picked up some insider tricks to help my clients stand out above the competition.
I recently shared 2 favorite tips that can help elevate the value you offer and catapult your job search forward in my post, 2 of My Favorite Insider Tips for Executive Resume Writing.
Here are two more tips. With adjustments, both of these also apply to writing your LinkedIn profile:
1. Back up relevant keyword phrases with solid examples.
Your targeted research will uncover the important keywords and phrases you need to include in your resume, and all your career marketing materials (LinkedIn profile, biography, cover letter, etc.).
Remember that numbers and metrics pack a powerful punch. For each job in your Professional Experience section, choose the 3 or 4 most important keywords phrases (or areas of expertise) and back them up by including a specific example of a contribution you made in that area – using value-driven metrics whenever possible. Format them as bulleted points. For example:
- Project Management – Increased efficiencies 425% managing delinquent loan tracking system with Agile methodology.
But don’t hide all your juicy bullet points in the Professional Experience section. Add into your summary section at the top, the ones that will be most relevant and compelling to your target employers. Block 3 or 5 of these together, and keep them short and sweet – no more than 2 or 3 lines each.
2. Strategically position relevant content.
Don’t bury a top achievement from your early career in the experience section, just because chronologically that’s where it goes. If it’s something that will be relevant to your target employers today, it’s okay (in fact, wise) to move it up to the summary section, for better impact.
For instance, say you worked 10 or 15 years ago for a well-known and highly respected global corporation within the industry you’re targeting now. To this day, your leadership style is guided by their philosophy. Add a line or two about that into your summary. It’s likely to impress people and will prompt them to turn to the next page of your resume to read more about it.
Or, say you were an early adopter of internet-based technologies at a company you worked for more than 10 years ago. Your job description may land on page 2 of your resume, but you can mention this distinction in your summary section as well.
Also, highly specialized (and relevant) training and professional development that would typically fall to the bottom of the last page of your resume can also be placed above the fold in the summary.
Think of that summary section as a quick snapshot of the unique value you offer. Some people may read no further than that top third or half of the page. Make that content matter and, hopefully, compel them to read your entire document.
More Information About Executive Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writing:
Stop! Before You Write Your Executive Resume or LinkedIn Profile …
How to Write An Irresistible C-level Executive Resume in 10 Steps
7 Reasons NOT to Copy Someone Else’s LinkedIn Profile
The New 10-Step Executive Personal Branding Worksheet
7 Deadly Sins of Executive Resume Writing
Personal Branding: How to Brand Your LinkedIn Summary Section
3 BIG Mistakes That Screw Up Your LinkedIn Professional Headline
Find the Best Executive Resume Writer For You
