Your Resume as a Personal Pitch

Your Resume as a Personal Pitch

With recruitment season in full swing, everyone across campus is working on the best version of their resume. Unfortunately, many of us (including myself) will settle on the same generic and boring resume. Although we live in a time where algorithms are reading resumes, but what happens when the paper hits the desk of another human? You need to figure out how you will stand out, and why a company would want to hire you. Luckily, I have received valuable feedback from professors and other brothers so I have strong wisdom to share with you.

Step 1 - Figure Out Your Brand

The first thing you should do for your resume is not make your resume. Before you dive in, figure out what you want your resume to say about you. What traits do you bring to the table? What are your best qualities? Ask family members and friends, and develop a brand for yourself. Maybe you are dependable and disciplined. Maybe you are a go-getter who seeks innovative solutions. Or maybe you are a compassionate critical thinker who loves solving problems. Whatever makes you unique and valuable should be apparent in your resume. You don’t just want to get in the door with your resume - you want to be remembered. So, ensure you understand why an organization should bring you on… and work around your strengths. 

Step 2 - Understand the Role You are Applying for

While it is important to understand what you bring to the table, it is also vital to know what an employer is seeking in an employee. This is mutually beneficial. You want to make sure that the organization is a fit for you, not just that you are a fit for the company. Make sure to check out the job description (if available) and do company research to get some background information. The same thing applies to campus organizations you may be applying for! Another important piece is the format of your resume. If you are seeking a position in finance, for example, your resume will need to look a bit more structured and professional. However, positions that have a bit more creative liberty can have more unique elements while maintaining professionalism. 

Step 3 - Utilize your Experiences 

Once you decide that the organization would be a fit for you, start to think about what experiences you have that apply best to the organization. Use it if you have something that would apply to the field you are going into. With PSE, for example, if you have any marketing, sales, or consulting-related experience, it should be highlighted in your resume. Use metrics (where applicable) to help the organization understand your performance with the experience. Use action words to articulate what you did during your experience. Showing how you provide value is ultimately why you are writing a resume. However, there is a fine line to walk - you want to make sure your resume is dynamic and shows personality without going overboard.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your resume tells a story about you. So, while I emphasized making your resume unique, make sure it's true to the values you hold in an experience. One of the best pieces of advice I received from a professor was “Nobody truly knows how to make a resume”. So, use the advice above however it makes sense to you!