Mastering the `So What` Resume

LifeSkills Academy Blog

Check back often to find interesting information and updates.

Mastering the `So What` Resume

Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 9/9/2024

Imagine you are a Human Resources Ninja tasked to fill a new, pivotal leadership role for a start-up thundering its way upward. Thousands of resumes arrived overnight with no end in sight. The ball is in play!

Is your resume one of thousands or ‘the one?’

From this perspective, take another look at your best-yet resume and start putting ‘finishing touches’ that best convey who you are. Here are key points to target:

Is the most important information at the beginning?
- Why? Make it easy to engage the interviewer. If they have to hunt for key points, they may not read the whole resume and move on to the next one.
- Easily display your name, contact information, and the position you’re applying for.
- Why are you applying for this role?
  - List work experiences that best align with the position in descending order of impact.
  - Include relevant metrics and the achieved result. For example:
    - Increased sales revenue 33% within six months by implementing a targeted marketing campaign.
    - Streamlined processes, reducing project turnaround time by 21%.
Eliminate buzzwords, cliches, and unexplained jargon.
- Alphabetic acronyms can be used after the full name is spelled out first. Example: Public Utility District (PUD)
Use Active/Passive Voice appropriately.
Be concise, professional, and clear.
- Long, technical descriptions of your work experience/skills quickly lose a reader’s interest. A helpful, free resource:
  - Hemingway Editor (hemingwayapp.com)
Check out this resume tutorial on YouTube for more excellent tips.

Here are other resources that I found helpful and practical.

“Remember, even a Jedi Master prepares for job interviews.
Ready yourself, you must.”
― Padmé Bright

LifeSkills Academy educators are professionals, some with academic backgrounds, and all have proven success in the world of commerce. We feature online learning in: