Resume Strategies of High Potential Professionals

Many people overthink their resume (the No. 1 cause of resume writer’s block) and whn that happens you write from a place of practicality (getting it done) and your resume won't even make you feel good about your skills.  Resumes are one of the few socially acceptable places to “brag” (highlight your career achievements), so  include all the positive impacts you’ve had at work - you'll know you've done this well when your resume content makes you feel something (and you smile as you read it).  You are an abundance of potential; your resume should say so.  As you begin writing, keep in mind you are going for quality not quantity.  Find some quiet time to focus on the process.  If you are stuck, go on-line to see examples of resumes from people in your line of work.  If you have writers block tackle the easy bits first; listing your education and recent professional development activities doesn't take long, and it gives you momentum.

• PAST VERSUS PRESENT TENSE When you reference any past professional experience, be sure to use the past tense. Similarly, if you are referencing a job you hold today, that should be written in the present tense. Your profile summary and skills list should also be written in the present tense as it represents what you are “about” and can offer an employer today. Reserve the use of the future tense for your cover letter.

 

• MAKING YOUR RESUME UNIQUE Millions of job seekers state that they are “dependable, hardworking & team-oriented” on their resume.  These words do not describe attributes; they describe the least an employer can expect to receive from a prospective employee (why would you hire anyone who wasn’t those things?).  A high potential resume showcases your potential in ways that are unique to you – find the right “voice” to demonstrate how you stand out from everyone who is “hardworking” (allowing your content to generate a response in those who read it).
  

    

• FIGURING OUT WHAT YOU ARE "ABOUT" What you are “about” is comprised of your passions, values and talents that make you who you are and can explain why you get out of bed each morning to do this work.  Create a list for yourself; it doesn’t matter if it is directly work-related or not because the things you are good at, value and are passionate about present themselves in many important ways in your work and life. When you can express why you do this work in a meaningful sentence or paragraph, you capture the right audiences attention, increasing your chances of being invited to an interview.
  

If you draw a blank when it comes to listing your talents, passions, and values (or if you can list them but fail to see how those translate into any marketable traits) it may help to frame it a different way: What do you bring to your community?  What do you consistently bring to your family, friends, co-workers, volunteer work, etc. that others appreciate and enjoy?  Is it your energy, your ability to connect dots?  Is it that you are never daunted by a problem, or that you can find creative solutions and aren’t afraid to voice them?  Everyone is good at something and it usually presents itself in more than one way (because when you really enjoy something you find any excuse to do it).  Once you’ve identified these things about yourself do not assume they have no value in the job market.  They do when they help you to be more effective and engaged in your work, fueling your high potential, and they should be showcased in your resume.

Following these strategies will ensure your high potential is what prospective employers see when they look at your resume. 

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