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By Laura Smith-Proulx, Executive Resume Writer
Did you write your resume around a clear job target – or merely leave clues for employers to find? If you’ve ever suffered through reading a stack of resumes – hoping the perfect candidate will nearly jump off the page, then you’ll understand the conundrum faced by employers.
Many resumes are written using generalities, leaving recruiters or employers to guess at your desired job goal… following the bread-crumb trail of previous positions and skills to arrive at The Magic Destination of Why You’re Qualified.
Seriously, if employers can’t seem to piece together the reasons you’re applying (never mind the reasons you’re a perfect fit!), then your resume might be missing an important element: a title.
A resume title, which is typically a short phrase or job title used at the top of your resume, helps readers understand the role you’re pursuing. If done correctly, it also leaves them anticipating the supporting details of your story. You DO want them to read further, right?
As shown in this example of a CFO resume, the resume title can also replace the overused “Professional Qualifications” or “Summary” category at the top of the resume. (Do you really need these words to introduce the summary of your career? Probably not.)
The advantage of using a title? Your job target will be immediately obvious, and employers will tend to read further, rather than eliminating your resume at first glance.
Even if you’re open to different positions (as illustrated by this sample CEO and SVP resume), you can specify more than one goal. Of course, these job targets should be similar enough to use a common resume; otherwise, you may need another version.
In short, boldly titling your resume will direct employers to pay attention to your strong points – helping them quickly understand how you fit into their operation.
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About the Author
Laura Smith-Proulx of An Expert Resume is an executive resume writer and former recruiter who partners with CEO, CIO, COO, CFO, CTO, SVP, and Director candidates to win interviews at major corporations. A certified Professional Resume Writer, Online Professional Networking Strategist, Career Management Coach, Interview Coach, and Microblogging Career Strategist, she is a multiple award-winning resume writer and author of How to Get Hired Faster: 60+ Proven Tips & Resources to Access the Hidden Job Market.
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