Resume Storytelling Strategies That Attract Recruiters

Resume Storytelling Strategies That Attract Recruiters Resume Storytelling Strategies That Attract Recruiters Building a storytelling resume isnt aboutholding story timeto lull the reader to sleep. Instead, storytelling resumes are akin to miniature action movies. They include a beginning, a middle, and an end or rising action, climax, and falling action in storytelling terms.The problem with most resumes is that they leap from rising action (challenge + action) to falling action (result), omitting the climax along the way. For example, in describing a market and culture renovation, a careerist might sayTransformed regional culture, triggering $1.5 billion boost in regional orders and revenue plus market share gains in 36 months.While the above is a solid achievement, a more energized action movie resume would deepen the storyConverted underperforming, weak team into winning high-performers capable of wrangling down challenges of bureaucratically weighted geography and formidable competitors devoid of meaningful collaborations. Led and influenced complete culture revamp, igniting market share and financial improvements.The point of enriching the story with details is to catch the recruiters attention while also appealing to their emotions. By contrasting an underperforming team with the dragon-slaying high-performers who took on formidable competitors (climax)and ultimately skyrocketed regional orders by $1.5 billion (result), youve painted a compelling and immersive scene for the decision-makerreading your resume.Furthermore, youve satisfied the decision-makers emotional proclivity for winning. By playing the hero in your story, you further sell your value and compel the recruiter to contact you even if just to see whether you are for real.A few more strategies that make a storytelling resume attractive to recruiters include1. Sell, Dont TellA resume that focuses on duties and accountabilities willdrive the reader off and onto the next candidate. Instead, market your wins and your valuable traits that contributed to those wins. For example, if you are an articulate communicator who boils down complexity and youre seeking a technical sales role, tell a storyabout a time when you wrangled down technical complexityin order to landa profitable sale and a long-term client.2. DontGeneralize FocusIf you have been an operations manager in the mobile technology arena and that is the career you wish to pursue going forward, then own it. Headline your resume with this specific title and industry target. Diluting your brand with a senior manager resume will not connect with a recruiters needs. Recruiters represent companies who need to fulfill specific positionsin particular industries.3. Invigorate People, Dont Bore Them to TearsRecruiters are masters at reviewing resumes because they have looked at thousands. Writing developed, produced, or achieved over and over in your resume can be fatal. While using words like skyrocket and slashed may in itially feel unnatural, you should sprinkle this attention-grabbing language throughout your resume.4. Weave in Sophisticated LanguageYour resume is a professional document. It does not need to abide by the myth that everyone reads at an eighth-grade level. Whileyour resume shouldnt send the recruiter to a dictionary every three lines, it is important to incorporate fresh, smart language throughout to demonstrate your refined understanding of the hiring companys needs.5. Clarify Your TimelineRegardless of the strategies you may employ toclose employment gaps, bridge your lack of experience, or deflect age discrimination, you must always be clear on where you worked and when. In other words, getting too creative with a functional resumeon afuzzy timeline wont cut it. Recruiters do not have time to puzzle through and connect the dots. If they are pressed to do so, your resume willbe tossed from the stack.6. Take OwnershipWhether you are submitting your resume for an early career role or a more advanced senior position, make sure you sit at the helm of your resume stories. While team players arevaluable,hiring decision-makers also want to know that you can take the wheel and move a project along. Covering your achievements with the cloak of teammates or managers will weaken your value andyour shot at the interview.Storytelling resumes are not one-and-done writeups of responsibilities interspersedwith metrics. A richer resume that delves into the complexities and nuances of your career will be more likely to spark a recruiters interest. A strategic storytelling resume that uses the above tips and focuses on the target readers needs will help move you from the review pile to the interview shortlist.Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter is CEO and master resume writer at CareerTrend.Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn,Facebook, or Twitter.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pa ce during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.