Resume Worksheet - Bright Green Talent

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Crafting a Killer Resume

Contents

STEP : Know Thyself

What are your strengths?

STEP : Sell Thyself

Translating your strengths so others understand them

STEP : Be Relevant to the Opportunity

Mapping your resume to what the company is looking for

STEP : Write it up! Using your selling points and the job requirements to write a killer resume and cover letter

Please avoid printing this guide unless it’s absolutely crucial


Your resume shouldn’t just be a chronology of your life and work experience. You get to select everything that goes into it, and it’s potentially the only resource an employer will look at on the first glance. It’s worth taking a fair bit of time to think hard about how you’re presenting yourself. Through the following exercises, we’ll help you reflect on your strengths and how to best communicate your experience and skillset to an employer.

What do you consider to be your top 5 selling points?

Selling points

Examples: Experienced salesperson; 15 years business development; deep knowledge of environmental issues

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Okay, now look at what you wrote. Take out the two most generic-sounding qualities. Rewrite.

Selling points

Examples: Experienced salesperson; 15 years business development; deep knowledge of environmental issues

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STEP : KNOW THYSELF


The proof is in the pudding. Now write down two quantitative examples that concretely display these traits. Some tips: use numbers, timelines, and dollar amounts – the more specific you can be, the more that achievement will mean to an outside reader

Selling Point Proof 1 Proof 2

Example: Outstanding consultant with a strong record of achievement

Was the youngest person of 1000 graduate employees to be promoted to senior consultant in my first year

In the first year, I billed $250,000, over twice the average of my peers.

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STEP : SELL THYSELF


Even if your selling points make you sound outstanding, you have to be sure that your resume is relevant to the particular opportunity you’re applying for. What are the requirements they list? Parse these out, and for each, write a couple examples of how you’ve done, and excelled at, something similar.

Job Requirement Examples

Example:

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STEP : BE RELEVANT TO THE OPPORTUNITY


Now, using your selling points, examples, and how your experience is directly relevant to the job description, go ahead and weave these thoughts into your resume. Remove vague bullet points; make sure every bullet point or sentence packs a punch. See our other documents (http://www.brightgreentalent.com/jobseekers/greenhouse/greenhousegrow.html) for what should be included in your resume, and what’s better left unsaid. You’ll also find examples of great resumes that have caught our eye as they’ve come across our desk.

Need some inspiration for your selling points? These Personality Profile and Professional Profile worksheets are part of our Interview Prep, but can give you some ideas for where your strengths lie as you craft your resume.

PERSONALITY PROFILE

Quality Description Example

1. Driven You are goal‐oriented & thrive on making things happen.

2. Motivated You are enthusiastic and willing to ask questions. You take the initiative and enjoy challenges.

3. Effective Communicator

You express yourself in a considered & intelligent manner, in person & on paper.

4. Chemistry You are confident and optimistic. You don’t get rattled. Great team player.

5. Energetic/ Passionate

You work hard and give that little bit extra effort to the cause.

6. Determined You don’t back off when the going gets tough. You will see a job through.

7. Confident You are not arrogant, but friendly honest and open.

8. Future Potential

You love to learn and develop yourself. You’re a great future investment for the organisation

STEP : WRITE IT UP!


PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Quality Description Example

1. Reliable You complete the job well and on time.

2. Honest & values-driven

You take responsibility for your actions and make decisions in the best interest of your company. A keen sense of what‘s important to you.

3. Pride You take pride in a job well done. Attention to detail.

4. Dedicated You do whatever it takes to see a project through to completion

5. Analytical The ability to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. You handle complex information with ease

6. Listener You listen with empathy and objectivity and understand with insight.

7. Economical You are able to save money for the company by being efficient and economical

8. Profitable You create value for the company through your contribution - which is the goal of every employer (even NGOs)

Documents

Resume Worksheet - Bright Green Talent