Write Your Work Experience Section with Confidence

Resumes can either be a gateway or a barrier to obtaining you future job and yet I see continually see resumes that restrict people from getting interviews. The resume is too long. There is not enough detail. The spacing and text is wrong. But the most important piece of the resume, work experience, is often written wrong.

Why is that?

Writing a resume can be challenging for many reasons. One common issue is that people may lack experience or knowledge in crafting effective resumes. They may not know what information to include or how to structure it properly. Additionally, individuals may struggle with finding the right balance between providing enough detail and keeping the resume concise.

But I think the biggest factor that hinders the effectiveness of resumes is the fear of coming across as boastful. Many people are hesitant to highlight their achievements and skills, fearing that it may be perceived as arrogance. This concern often leads to a lack of confidence in presenting oneself on paper.

Your accomplishments and achievements are yours to be proud of. Don't let the fear of being called arrogant hold you back from confidently writing them down. You have earned the right to showcase what you have done. Here's how you should format it:

Action Verb

• When formatting your bullet points, always begin with a strong action verb. Avoid using simple verbs like "helped" or "managed." Instead, choose words that convey strength, action, and leadership. Think of words like "developed," "led," and "incentivized."

Accomplishment (Impact)

• After your action verb, this is where you highlight your impact. They should not just be a list of responsibilities. This is your chance to sell yourself and what you can do for the employer. What did you do in the role that contributed to the growth of last employer. You didn’t just write code or build a database. Those are actions. How did it help? That is what you should always be asking yourself as you write your bullet point

Metrics

• People love numbers. And they especially love numbers that quantify impact. So, if you can, ask your boss, manager, or anyone in your organization how your contributions can be quantified! It can be a percentage. It could be an amount. It could be a reduction. Just ask!

Put it all together and you have a bullet point like this, “Optimized server infrastructure, reducing downtime by 30% and enhancing system efficiency for over 10,000 users.”

Ultimately, the ability to sell oneself is crucial in creating a compelling resume. It requires finding the right balance between showcasing accomplishments and skills without appearing overly self-promotional. By understanding the purpose of a resume and learning how to effectively communicate one's qualifications, individuals can overcome these challenges and increase their chances of securing job interviews.