Last night, while making dinner for my family, I just casually started thinking about my resume writing business and how to make the resumes I write even better.
That’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks.
Why have I never stopped to think like this before?
Day in and day out as a resume writer and recruiter, as I’ve written and reviewed countless resumes, I have never been able to see it from this viewpoint.
I was making Ree Drummond’s BBQ Spatchcock chicken (my favorite dinner ever) and everything just came together so easily. I had made the dish so many times now that I could make it with my eyes closed.
I don’t know why my mind started drifting towards resume writing. It’s just a passion of mine now so it happens…
My Resume Writing Epiphany
I realized that I had gotten really good at writing resumes and that I could probably write one with my eyes closed.
I just know exactly where all the pieces need to fall, what tactics need to be used, how to find the right keywords, etc.
Then, I just blurted out that writing a resume is a lot like following a recipe.
OH. MY. GOSH.
Why have I never thought that before? It is such a nicer way to explain the process to my clients or to outline a plan for myself or anyone I’m helping.
I started to break this down even further. (Watch for my recipe at the end!)
Resume Writing “Recipe” Development
It’s not just the “ingredients” that you need while resume writing. It’s the measurements too…
You can’t add too much of one thing or not enough of another.
It’s highly suggested that you add your own personality to the “recipe” and it’s good to understand how different variations can add so much “flavor.”
It was also fun to think about how different people, while attempting the same recipe, end up with an entirely different finished product. And that’s okay!
As a recruiter for the last 10+ years, I’ve personally reviewed hundreds of thousands of resumes. Every single one of them has been unique even though every person that submitted a resume had the same goal.
There are just some people that are better at writing a resume than others.
But there is hope!
Growing your Skills
When someone can’t cook to save their life, what do they do?
They practice and test the boundaries to see what works and what doesn’t. They also go to a professional to help them learn. I’ve been to my fair share of cooking classes over the years!
Resume writing is a science. It’s a skill that can be learned and mastered.
You just need the recipe!
Final Resume Writing Recipe
On day 2 of International Update your Resume Month, here is my professional take on a resume writing recipe:
Resume Writing
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Total Time: 2-4 hours
Yield: 1-2 pages
Ingredients:
1 Executive Summary (substitute with career or project highlights)
10-20 Keywords sprinkled on top
1 Quote or Recommendation (Optional)
2-3 Professional Experiences – prepped and detailed out
Can add additional work experience if relevant
4-10 Accomplishment focused bullet points (2-4 per job)
1 Education Section with no dates
1 License and Certification section if desired
Develop until all parts come together for the base. Then add a dash of color and a sprinkle of branding or personality. Then cut into bite size pieces so they are easy to digest.
Serve immediately.