Crafting Your Ideal Resume: A Practical Guide
I often get questions from people asking for help with their resumes or advice on finding a job. As someone who has never gone through the traditional job application process—having always worked in my own businesses or been directly recruited as a general manager—I’ve skipped the usual steps of resume preparation and job interviews. In fact, I’ve only been through one real interview in my life, and when asked why I wanted the job, I realized I didn’t want it at all. That’s when I quickly understood that this path wasn’t for me. Many years ago, I decided the typical job search route wasn’t the one I wanted to take and chose to remain an entrepreneur.
However, hiring and managing people has been a core part of my responsibilities throughout my career. I’ve been on the other side of the hiring process, evaluating countless resumes, conducting interviews, and making hiring decisions for a wide range of positions. From this experience, I’ve gained valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t when it comes to creating a resume that stands out and, more importantly, finding the right job.
With that in mind, I wanted to share my perspective on how to find the best job and get hired, rather than just focusing on writing the "perfect" resume (which, by the way, doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution). To break it down, I’ve organized my approach into three key steps:
1. Define What You’re Looking For
Before you even start working on a resume, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of what you’re actually seeking in a job. Don’t fall into the trap of saying you’re open to any position or, worse, that you can do any job. Instead, ask yourself: Are you targeting a specific role? A certain industry? What kind of company culture will help you thrive? Being crystal clear about your goals will help you craft a more focused resume and an effective job search strategy.
Consider these questions:
What are your long-term career goals?
What kind of work environment suits you best?
What tasks or responsibilities energize you?
Having clarity on these points will not only help you apply for the right roles but also make your resume more targeted and relevant. Employers appreciate candidates who know what they want and can show how their experience aligns with the position.
2. Develop the Skills for the Job You Want
Once you’ve defined your goals, the next step is to ensure you have the right skills to land that job. The most competitive resumes are backed by real, relevant experience. If you find a gap between your current skills and the ones needed for your ideal role, take proactive steps to fill it.
This could involve:
Taking courses, reading books, or watching tutorials to truly understand the subject matter. Don’t focus on collecting unnecessary certificates—what matters is mastering the material. Certificates are fine, but deep knowledge is what really counts.
Volunteering in roles that allow you to build the necessary skills.
Working on personal projects that demonstrate your capabilities.
Building your skillset takes time, but it’s an investment that will pay off when it comes to applying for jobs. A resume that highlights hands-on experience and genuine expertise in the required areas will always stand out to employers.
3. Tailor Your Resume to Meet the Company’s Requirements
When applying for a job, it’s essential to customize your resume and cover letter to align with the specific role and the company’s expectations. Each organization may have its own preferences for how they want applications submitted and what they look for in a resume.
Here are some key things to consider:
Customize your resume for each job: Avoid sending a generic resume. Carefully read the job description and tailor your resume to emphasize the skills and experience that match the company’s needs.
Use the correct format: Some companies prefer specific resume formats or ask for a particular style of CV. Pay close attention to the job listing or company guidelines to ensure your resume meets their criteria.
Keep your LinkedIn profile updated: Many employers will check LinkedIn before considering a candidate—and often, they’ll check other social media profiles too. Make sure your LinkedIn and social media profiles are clean, professional, and up-to-date. In many cases, a PDF version of your LinkedIn profile is sufficient for job applications, especially when a company accepts it. This also ensures consistency across different applications.
In Conclusion
Creating the best resume goes beyond just listing your experience. You need to be strategic in defining your career goals, building the right skill set, and tailoring your application to meet each company’s specific requirements. While the job search can be overwhelming, focusing on these three areas will give you a significant advantage.
Take the time to develop a strategy, as no one knows better than you what you want and how to present your experience effectively. Don’t look for a one-size-fits-all solution if you have big ambitions and goals. With a personalized approach, you’ll be well on your way to landing the position that’s right for you.
Good luck!