The Delecate Art of the Kick Ass Resume

By Guest Poster: Elizabeth Thompson

First off, I’d like to thank Crystal for letting me be a guest writer on her fantastic and witty blog as I talk about the fine art of creating a resume.  If you’re anything like I am you understand the need for a well written and thought out resume, but the task to create and or update said document makes you feel like you want to bury yourself in a mountain of popcorn and a stack of movies.  However, regardless of how undignified the job search process is I’m sure we can all agree with Fredrick Wilcox who said that, “Progress always involves risk; you can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.”  So with that in mind, I offer you a few tips on creating a kick ass resume.

So far it seems like there are two main styles of writing a resume, we’ll call them Traditional and Functional.  Both have their values, and it’s really up to you to decide which you prefer depending on where you are in your career and what type of job you’re looking for. 

The Traditional type of resume, [click on the image for a larger version,] usually has the following information:  name and contact information, an objective statement, skills, experience and or employment history (from most recent or relevant to older positions), followed by educational background.  Relevant awards, activities and affiliations, technological skills, etc. may also be included if appropriate.  It seems like everyone formats differently and I say that you should do what makes you feel most comfortable and confident.   However with that in mind please try to keep your resume visually and verbally tidy (don’t use 3 or 4 words when one will do nicely), use an easy to read font, and no matter how much you are rushing proofread, proofread, proofread! 

A Functional resume contains much of the same information as a Traditional resume, but is targeted towards a specific position or type of job.  So if you know you’re looking to go into a specific field and and/or job, this could be the style for you.  A Functional resume contains the following information:  name and contact information, a summary of qualifications, lists professional experience, work history, education, and any other pieces of information you deem necessary.   The main pieces that this style of resume focuses on are the Summary of Qualifications, which is a few sentences about your strong work characteristics and or accomplishments, and the Professional Experience, which highlights traits specific to the type of job you are applying for. 

In the Professional Experience section you go into further detail by describing how different parts of your previous career experience have supported the trait listed.  For example if one of your trait headlines is Communications and Public Relations, underneath that you may list something like the following:  

• Represented high profile socially responsible business to as many as 2,000 customers daily promoting the organization’s product and mission.
• As the “Face of the Company,” developed and delivered tours educating customers about the organization’s history and its operations and answered visitors’ questions.
• Created a positive, fun, and informative experience for visitors.  Expediently solved unexpected mechanical, technical and customer related crises as they arose.
• Brainstormed and implemented new and creative ways to greet and manage the high volume of visitors coming through the facility on a daily basis.
• Delivered orientations and training to new tour guides in a heavily visited tourist attraction to ensure a top quality, highly informative experience for visitors. Provided hands on speech and activity training to new tour hosts.

The Functional style of resume really pinpoints the traits that are needed for the job you’re applying for and then gives you the space to tell your employer the ways you are experienced in those traits. 

Once you have your basic information and style down, try to have a little fun.  But, be aware of your audience.  Many times you can tell within the job description what is appropriate.  Most times a classic business style, tone, and approach are best.  But sometimes you find companies who want your resume to playfully engage them.   For example, in a legendary move the company of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream Inc. went looking for a new CEO by holding a Yo, I’m Your CEO Contest.  Anyone was allowed to apply in 100 words or less and creativity was encouraged.  Ben & Jerry’s received many resumes in all sorts of formats like poems, cakes, etc.  This may not be the kind of company you’re applying for, but no matter where you’re going remember that people really do want to know about you.   So tailor your resume style to the position you’re applying for and allow your resume style to introduce your personality and the creativity you’ll bring to the job.