6 Top Resume Writing Services for 2023

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Searching for a job can feel tedious and thankless. You put countless hours into researching companies, finding relevant open positions, drafting cover letters, tweaking and submitting your resume, only to receive a canned email response in return – if you’re lucky. But fear not – because we're going to highlight six top resume writing services that can help you get noticed!

In fact, the number of resumes that get reviewed by human resource managers is strikingly low. Thanks to ubiquitous automated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), most resumes are scanned for relevant keywords before making it to an actual human for review.

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How to Write An Executive Resume (Section by Section)

how to write an executive resume

Your resume has always been the gateway to opportunity, but when you’re interviewing at the executive level, the stakes are higher than ever.

Showcasing your unique skills and accomplishments is one function of your executive resume, but the other is helping you stand out in a sea of applicants. You may be able to get away with a generic resume in the earlier stages of your career, but having a masterful executive resume is where the bar starts for Executives, Presidents, C-Level, VPs, and Directors.

In this post, we will provide you with valuable tips and insights on how to create an outstanding executive resume. We will cover key elements that should be included in your executive resume, as well as some additional tips to help you get ahead of the curve. 

So, whether you are an experienced executive looking for a new challenge or a rising star in your industry, this post will help you create a powerful executive resume that will get you noticed by hiring managers and recruiters.

What is an Executive Resume? 

An executive resume is a type of resume specifically tailored for professionals who are in high-level positions, typically in the C-suite or senior management roles. Executive resumes are designed to showcase a candidate's extensive experience, leadership abilities, strategic thinking skills, and are often used to apply for executive-level positions or board positions. 

Your executive resume should highlight your achievements and results, rather than just your job duties or responsibilities. All other relevant information, such as certifications, education, and industry recognition should also be included in your resume.

What you’ve used at entry-level and middle management is not enough to advance your career to the next level. An exceptional executive resume is the key to the next stage of your career.

An executive resume’s primary function is to show how hiring you will advance and improve the company. The hiring team is trying to make a decision based on ROI, perceived benefits, and the vision that you can bring to your function. Your resume can’t just show what you’ve done in the past. It needs to make it a no-brainer for the hiring team to choose you.

 

Researching and Planning Your Executive Resume

When it comes to writing your executive resume, most of your effort should be focused on just that: writing! The format, layout, and colors (spoiler alert: none!) you use will matter, but the content of your resume should do the bulk of the work. 

For this reason, it’s important to do the legwork to understand how you should be crafting your resume. Here is a simple process outlining the prep work you should do before you make the first draft of your resume:

 

1. Identify your target audience 

Your resume should be tailored to be the answer to a specific problem. That means you should know everything about the target audience you’re trying to captivate. When researching, answer questions like:

    • Who is on the hiring team? 
    • Who will be reading your resume?
    • Will someone (or something, in the case of an Applicant Tracking System) be screening it before it gets to the ultimate hiring authority?
    • What tone should be portrayed here?
    • What values are important to them?
    • What results are they looking for?

2. Research your industry and target companies 

Next, you’ll want to make sure that you have a thorough understanding of your target industry. This means you don’t just need to understand the company to which you’re applying, but their competitors and partners as well. 

When researching, answer questions like:

    • What is the history of this industry?
    • What are common problems companies like this are facing?
    • What is the current marketplace like for them?
    • What trends are predicted for the next 1, 3, and 5 years in this industry?

Analyze the job requirements, and identify the keywords and phrases that are commonly used. This will help you optimize your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

 

3. Assess your skills and achievements

The most important part of your research is drawing parallels between your experience and skills and the problems the company is looking to solve.

When prepping to write your resume, be thorough about the results your skills and achievements produced in past positions. Ask questions like:

    • What soft and hard skills does the ideal candidate for this position have?
    • What have other people in similar positions done that have made them successful?
    • What is my unique selling point I can leverage on this resume?
    • How can I use metrics and quantifiable data to showcase the impact of my work on the company's bottom line?

Keep all your notes organized in a doc so it’s readily available when it comes time to write your resume.

Structuring an Executive Resume 

Structuring an executive resume is simple, but the attention to detail you show will be impactful for your success.

Here is the basic resume format to follow for an executive:

    • Contact information
    • Title + Branding Statement 
    • Core Competencies
    • Experience
    • Education
    • Professional Affiliations

 

As you’re laying out the structure for your resume, make sure you take note of opportunities to add keywords and descriptions that match the ones on the job listing.

 

1. Writing your Contact information

Keep it simple with your contact information by simply adding:

    • Your name
    • Location – City, State only (exact addresses are no longer necessary) 
      • If applying to a remote role, include that you’re open to remote work.
      • IFor non-local roles, include that you’re open to relocating, if the job requires it.
    • Phone number
    • Email address
    • LinkedIn profile

Additionally, you'll want to consider:

    • Adding a link to your portfolio or website.
    • Make sure hyperlinks are added to the doc, since it will likely be viewed digitally.
    • 87% of recruiters check LinkedIn before interviewing candidates, so be sure your profile is up-to-date.

how to write an executive resume

 

2. Writing your Title and Branding Statement

Writing your Title and Branding Statement should take a lot of research and prep since these couple sentences will not only give the hiring manager a taste of your skills, but your persona as well.

Keep these tips in mind:

    • Your Title should match the job to which you’re applying, as closely as possible. Similarly, your Branding Statement should be the perfect blend of experience, positions, and the role to which you’re applying.
    • Highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements to make a strong first impression on the hiring manager. 
    • Keep it brief and focused, ideally no more than 2-3 sentences. 
    • Use action verbs and quantify your achievements whenever possible.
    • No need to title this section “Summary” or “Objective”, since your professional title will be more resolute.

executive resume examples

 

3. Writing your Core Competencies

By highlighting your key competencies, you can quickly grab the attention of hiring managers and recruiters, and demonstrate your potential value to the organization. 

This section is particularly important for executives who may have a wide range of experience and skills, as it allows you to focus on the specific areas where you excel and stand out from other candidates.

    • List 10-15 of your skills best suited for your desired position, separating them with bullet points.
    • Alternatively, you can list 4-6 of your most important skills, with a brief description of each one. 
    • Choose skills that are relevant to the job to which you’re applying, and avoid generic or overused terms. 
    • Use a bullet point format, and make sure your list is easy to scan and read quickly.

executive resume examples

 

4. Writing about your Experience

Perhaps the part that is most overwhelming to candidates is the job experience section of an executive resume. Much attention to detail should be used here, so refer to your notes often as you craft your experience descriptions.

These tips are absolutely essential when you’re writing an executive resume:

    • The best resume format is reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. 
    • Use bullet points to highlight your achievements, responsibilities, and specific accomplishments in each role. 
    • Focus on the results you achieved, rather than just describing your duties or responsibilities. 
    • Use specific numbers and data whenever possible, to demonstrate your impact and success in each role. 
    • Tailor your experience section to the job to which you’re applying,, highlighting the experiences and achievements that are most relevant to that position.
    • Like the age-old writing advice, be sure to “show” not “tell” your experience and the results it will afford your potential employer..

how to write an executive resume

 

5. Writing about your Education

    • List your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree or certification. 
    • Include the institution's name, your degree or certification, and your graduation date. 
    • If you graduated with honors or received any special awards or recognition, you can also include those.
    • If you have relevant coursework or certifications that are not part of your degree, you can include those in a separate section.

executive resume examples

 

6. Writing Professional Affiliations/Technical

    • Use this section to highlight any relevant professional affiliations, certifications, or technical skills that you have. 
    • Include the name of the organization or certification, as well as the date you received it and any relevant details. 
    • Make sure that the affiliations and technical skills you list are relevant to the job to which you are applying, and are not outdated or irrelevant. 
    • If you have an extensive list of technical skills or certifications, you can create a separate section for them, and use a bullet point format to make them easy to read and scan.

executive resume examples

 

When writing your executive resume, keep the structure simple and the content rich

A flashy and over-the-top resume is not going to make up for poor content, and could even detract from an otherwise strong resume.

In fact, design elements (such as color fonts, pictures, and unique layouts) should not be used unless you’re applying for a creative position. 

Read: Should You Add Color to Your Resume?

Remember that a resume is marketing. Everything about your resume should be written with your potential employer in mind, not your own showcase.

Go through each part of your resume and make sure that it’s written in a way that sells the benefits of hiring you.

(This is where getting some expert eyes or an executive resume writer on your side can really help you. They can identify and recommend ways to enhance your resume that most executives may not be aware of.)

Additional executive resume writing tips: 

  1. Focus on the employer's needs: Your resume should not just be about you, but about how you can meet the employer's needs. Understand the company and the position requirements, and adapt your resume accordingly. 
  2. Highlight relevant skills, experience, and education: Focus on the key skills, experiences, and education that are relevant to the position you're applying for.
  3. Separate older positions: If you have positions that are not relevant to the job you're applying for or were held more than fifteen years ago, create a separate section with just the position titles and dates to manage the document length. 
  4. Create different versions of your resume: To effectively target different positions and organizations, you may need to create several different versions of your resume. Each version should be tailored to the specific job and company you're applying to.

 

Designing an Executive Resume

When designing an executive resume, it's important to keep in mind that the design should complement the content, not overshadow it. Choose a professional and clean layout that is easy to read and navigate, and includes lots of white space.

Select a font that is easy to read and professional, and use a color scheme that is subtle and doesn't distract from the content. Some popular font choices for executive resumes include Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri. 

When it comes to adding visual elements, use them sparingly and strategically. While we don’t recommend images, logos, or charts in an executive resume, if your preference is to include them, be sure not to overdo it. They can quickly make the resume look cluttered and unprofessional. 

Remember, the goal is to present a clear and concise overview of your skills and experience, so the design should enhance the content, not detract from it.

    • Stick to a traditional and clean format, avoiding overly trendy designs. For example, we love Canva for graphic design, but we don’t recommend their resume templates unless you’re in a creative field.
    • Ensure a balanced ratio of white space to text, making your resume easy to read and scan. 
    • Use one-inch margins on all sides to avoid cutting off important information when printed. 
    • Format body copy at 11 or 12 points and headlines at 14 to 18 points for clarity and legibility. 
    • Use a consistent font throughout to maintain a cohesive and professional look. 

 

Executive Resume FAQs

Q: How long should an executive resume be?

A: An executive resume should typically be 2-3 pages long, depending on the candidate's level of experience and the position they are applying for. 

Q: Should I include all of my work experience on my executive resume?

A: It is not necessary to include every job you've ever had on your executive resume. Instead, focus on highlighting your most relevant and impressive experiences that are directly related to the position to which you are applying.However, be careful not to create unnecessary employment gaps (addressed below).

Q: Should I include references on my executive resume? 

A: It is not necessary to include references on your executive resume. Instead, have a separate list of professional references ready to provide upon request.

Q: Should I use a professional resume writer to help me create my executive resume? 

A: A professional resume writer can help you craft a polished and effective executive resume that effectively showcases your skills and experiences.

Q: What should I do if I have employment gaps on my executive resume?

A: Address employment gaps on your executive resume by providing a brief explanation for the gap and highlighting any relevant activities or experiences you engaged in during that time.

 

Common Executive Resume Mistakes to Avoid 

Here are some common resume mistakes to avoid while creating an executive resume: 

  1. Being too general: Avoid using general statements and phrases that do not convey your unique value proposition. Use specific examples and metrics to showcase your achievements and results. 
  2. Focusing too much on responsibilities: Instead of just listing your job responsibilities, focus on your accomplishments and how you added value to the organization. 
  3. Being too wordy: Keep your resume concise and to the point. Avoid using too much jargon, and use bullet points to make your resume easy to read and scan. 
  4. Neglecting to tailor your resume: Customize your resume for each job you apply to. Highlight your relevant skills and experience that match the job description and the company’s needs. 
  5. Not showcasing your leadership skills: As an executive, it’s important to highlight your leadership skills and how you’ve led teams and achieved results. Showcasing your leadership skills is crucial in convincing employers that you can lead their team. 
  6. Overemphasizing education: While education is important, it should not be the main focus of your executive resume. Highlight your work experience, accomplishments, and results first, and then mention your education in a separate section. 
  7. Forgetting to proofread: Always proofread your resume for errors and typos. A resume with errors can give the impression of sloppiness and lack of attention to detail.

Common Executive Resume Mistakes to Avoid

 

Writing an executive resume requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail. By following these tips and guidelines, you can create a powerful and effective resume that showcases your skills, achievements, and experience in a clear and concise manner. 

Remember to keep the structure simple and the content rich, highlight your accomplishments, and focus on the needs of the employer. With the right design and layout, your executive resume will stand out and make a lasting impression on potential employers. 

Keep in mind that crafting a great executive resume is a process that takes time and effort, but the end result will be well worth it in your pursuit of a successful career.

 

Land your next position with ResumeSpice

Having a powerful resume is crucial for landing your next job. Instead of guessing your way through, use the expertise of our professional resume writers for writing and formatting your resume. To get started with the ResumeSpice team, you can call us at 832.930.7378 or connect with us online.

 

3 Reasons To Never Use a Functional Resume Format

One of the most common questions we receive here at ResumeSpice is, “Does format really matter?” It’s been well established that recruiters don’t spend a lot of time screening resumes. So it’s crucial to keep their attention and it begins with the correct format. We don’t want you to lose out on your dream job due to resume formatting, so we’re here to tell you one format you should never use.

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The Perfect Reverse Chronological Resume Format

Job hunting has evolved, but one constant remains: the importance of a well-structured resume. It's your passport to an interview and, hopefully, your next professional endeavor.

A common question is – what is the best resume format and does the reverse chronological resume still reign supreme?

The simple answer? Yes

The reverse chronological resume is the format most hiring managers and department heads are accustomed to. It presents your most recent role at the top, followed by your work history in descending order.

While other resume styles, like the functional resume, have gained some popularity, the reverse chronological resume is widely preferred. The reason is straightforward: it places your latest job titles and achievements front and center. It also provides hiring managers with a clear view of any employment gaps and whether you've shown a steady progression in your career.

So, how do you craft a compelling reverse chronological resume? Here are the essential components:

Header

This is the top of your resume and should feature your name and contact details, including an email and phone number. A mailing address is no longer necessary, but you can include additional information such as the URL of your LinkedIn profile.

Key Competencies

While we advise against lengthy summaries and outdated objective statements, we do recommend a Key Competencies section. Here, you should list relevant job accomplishments and experiences in bullet point format. This gives the hiring manager a quick overview of your skills, achievements, and why you're the right fit for the job. Tailoring this section to each specific job is crucial to stand out among other applicants. To create it, review the job posting and consider the skills or abilities you possess that align best with it. Include these in three to five bullet points under this section.

Work History

Next up is your work history, beginning with your current role and then moving backward. But don't just list job duties. Quantify your contributions using facts, figures, timelines, sales numbers, money saved, and any other measurable metrics.

For example, instead of simply stating that you: “Answered phones and greeted clients,” you could say: “Managed 10 phone lines with a high volume of calls and greeted approximately 25 clients daily, ensuring their comfort while in reception.”

Education

Your Education section should include the college you attended, its location, and the degree you earned. If you graduated with honors or had a particularly high GPA, feel free to include that information. If you have multiple degrees, list these in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent one.

Extra Sections

The final section(s) can include a variety of information, such as additional skills, event experience, licenses/certifications, or memberships or leadership roles in industry organizations. If you have relevant volunteer experience, include it here as well.

Other skills to include might be foreign languages you speak, awards, any soft skills critical for the job, or seminars or industry events where you've spoken or given a presentation.

Check out these resume samples for some inspiration.

Once you've crafted your resume, proofread it meticulously several times. Mistakes can easily slip in, and you certainly don't want these to tarnish your efforts.

Get Expert Help Writing a Resume That Stands Out

If you're ready to delegate the task to professional resume writers, ResumeSpice is here for you. We understand what hiring managers are looking for in a resume and can help refine your current resume or create a new one that stands out from the crowd. Whether your resume isn't yielding results, or you're embarking on a job search and need assistance, our team at ResumeSpice is ready to help. Simply call 832.930.7378 or contact us online if you're ready to learn more. We look forward to partnering with you on your career journey!

5 Resume Trends for 2023

Times are tough and the economy is uncertain. If you’re wondering if you should polish your resume, it certainly couldn’t hurt. If you do feel the need to launch a search for a new job in 2023, you’ll have your resume ready to go, so you can hit the ground running.

However, before you get to work on updating your resume, there are a few trends to be aware of…especially if it’s been a while since your last job search. Keep the following five trends in mind so that when you apply, you impress hiring managers.

Trend #1: Demonstrate growth, effectiveness.

With a potentially rocky road ahead in 2023, you want to be able to demonstrate how you’ve helped past employers to navigate difficult or uncertain situations. If you’re not sure what specifically to put on your resume, then review job postings from potential employers you’re interested in. They’ll make their needs and pain points clear, so you can address them on your resume with relevant examples of ways you’ve helped past employers in similar situations. Don’t forget to include an example in your cover letter, as well.

Trend #2: Connect the dots from accomplishments to impact.

Another important takeaway when adding 2023 trends to your own resume is to go beyond simply quantifying your work to showing the impact it has made. For instance, if you renegotiated a contract that saved the company $100,000, where was the company able to invest those savings and grow as a result? Connect the dots between your accomplishments, the impact they made with the company, and why that was important.

Trend #3: Keep your resume simple and make it easy to understand.

Your resume is the highlight reel of your career. Keep it concise and simple, so it’s easy to read for hiring managers and see quickly why they should call you for an interview.

For instance, focus on the top four or five skills – and the impact they’ve made – on your resume at the top with a Summary of Qualifications. This will likely change from job to job since you should be customizing it with every application.

The same goes for bullet points under each position you’ve held. Focus only on the most important details and strongest skills. Don’t go overboard with 10-12 bullet points, just the top 3-5 that are more relevant.

Simplicity is also important when it comes to formatting. Unless you work in a creative field, don’t add graphics and fancy design elements to your resume.

Make the case clear as to why you’re a good fit and stick to basic fundamentals for resume formatting (think bold job titles, bullet point lists, and wide margins). Hiring managers want an easy-to-follow resume, so they can tell fast if you’re a good fit for the position.

Trend #4: Don’t forget about keywords.

Applicant Tracking Systems are here to stay, and companies large and small use them to screen resumes. So you’ll need to format your resume for these as well. The most important aspect is including keywords. Don’t stuff them all over your resume, but do sprinkle them in sparingly.

Not sure what keywords to include? Look to the job posting for the most relevant ones for each unique position, so you can optimize your resume for the ATS and get it in front of a hiring manager. You can also use online tools to find out what keywords are best for specific positions.

Trend #5: Show some personality in your cover letter.

Your resume details your skills, accomplishments and what sets you apart in terms of abilities. However, your cover letter should show some personality.

Tell a story that highlights a key soft skill you have and how this can help you get the job done. Explain why you want to work for the company and how you can add value, whether you love public speaking or are amazingly organized and detail oriented. You’ll stand out to the hiring manager but showcasing both your technical strengths and the soft skills you can bring to the table.

Ready to launch a search with a sharp resume?

Get help from the resume writers at ResumeSpice. Whether you simply need some edits, or are starting from scratch, we’re here to help you strengthen your resume, so you can get the best results from it. Simply call 832.930.7378 or contact us online if you’re ready to find out more.

Should You Add Temporary Work to Your Resume?

Writing a resume can be challenging enough. However, if you have a mix of full-time and temporary jobs, or mostly temporary jobs, it can be tricky to know how to list them – or if you should include them at all. Here’s a look at the pros and cons, so you can create a resume that works for you.

When to List Temp Jobs & When to Avoid It

In most cases, you should list your temporary work. After all, you don’t want a hiring manager to think you have a big gap in your work history when really you were employed in temporary assignments.

The question is how to list it. For instance, do you list each job separately as its own position, or do you group them together under a “Temporary Jobs” subhead? The decision is up to you, however, it’s one area where a professional resume writer can make the best recommendation.

The only time when listing a temp job can hurt you is if it’s far outside your field. For instance, if you’re applying for a job in accounting, and you took a temp job at a seasonal restaurant to make ends meet, then don’t want highlight it on your resume – unless there’s something relevant to the position you’re applying to.

How to Put Temp Work on Your Resume

If you decide to include your temporary jobs on your resume, you need to approach it properly. Otherwise, your resume might look confusing and messy. Generally, you should list your jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent position.

Next, be sure to state the employer’s name, your job title, and label it as temporary. If it lasted for two months and you don’t indicate it was temporary, you’ll look like a job hopper. Avoid this by calling out your jobs as temporary. Also, list your dates of employment, your duties, and highlight any achievements, just like you would with a full-time job.

Here's an example:

XYZ Corp.

Temporary Receptionist, August 2022-November 2022

  • Greeted up to 80 clients and visitors and answered 60+ calls each day, connecting callers with the appropriate individual.
  • Prepared weekly bank deposits averaging $72,000.
  • Proactively responded to email inquiries from prospects within 24 hours.
  • Managed travel arrangements for senior leadership team, consisting of six directors, on a regular basis.

Generally, if you’ve had a couple of positions like these, then you can list them each separately. However, if you worked with a staffing agency and your career basically consists of only temporary jobs, then take a different approach to the way you discuss them on your resume.

Instead of listing them individually, group jobs under the name of the staffing company. This will make it easier for hiring managers to scan and understand.

Here's an example:

ABC Staffing Company, 2018 – Present

Temporary Receptionist

Contracted with the staffing company to fill a range of administrative opportunities as a front-end receptionist in industries, such as accounting and finance, as well as marketing and legal. Performed a variety of diverse duties and tasks, ranging from making travel arrangements to answering phones, greeting guests, and managing office supplies.

  • 123 Co. (March 2018 – November 2018): List tasks and accomplishments here.
  • Smith Mfg. (December 2018 – June 2019): List tasks and accomplishments here.
  • Jones Inc. (July 2019 – May 2020): List tasks and accomplishments here.
  • Crane Co. (August 2021 – April 2022): List tasks and accomplishments here.
  • Smith Mfg. (May 2022 – November 2022): List tasks and accomplishments here.

Whatever way you opt to list your temporary work experience, you want to impress the hiring manager. Besides providing a professional resume that is clear and easy-to-read, also:

Include outcomes.

Don’t simply list what you do in your temporary roles, but the objectives you helped the company achieve. The more you’re able to paint a picture, using specific examples of the value you added, the better your chances of getting a call for an interview.

Stick to the facts.

You don’t have say you’re a “driven performer” or a “hard-working collaborator.” Anyone can claim these generic statements and there’s no way to back them up. Instead, stick to the facts of what you’ve done and the results you’ve achieved. Hiring managers will take you more seriously, as a result. 

Be relevant.

Don’t include unnecessary information, like hobbies or personal details. Instead, provide only information that is most relevant to the job. To do that, read through the job description as you’re writing your resume and ask yourself what skills, tasks, duties, and achievements are most important to highlight. This means you’ll be tailoring your resume for each employer, taking more time, but yielding better results.

Need help with temp jobs on your resume?

At ResumeSpice, we work with candidates with many different career backgrounds. Let us help you transform your experience into a clear and compelling resume that helps you land your dream job. Simply call 832.930.7378 or contact us online to get started.

3 Things All Marketers Should Have on Their Resume

Work in marketing and looking for a new job? There are opportunities in a wide range of specialties, all requiring different skill sets and abilities.

However, they do have a few things in common, which you need to cover on your resume to land your dream job. Whether you’re a creative director, graphic designer, senior copywriter, account executive, or analytics expert, here’s a look at three of them:

Creativity.

Marketing is about promoting an idea or product, building relationships with customers, and looking for new ways to grow market share. This all requires creativity. So whatever type of position you’re looking for in marketing, it’s important to highlight your creative abilities.

This is key if your experience is in areas like photography, design, or writing. However, even if your background is more strategic or in sales or project management, you still need to demonstrate your capacity for creative thinking. This is what helps companies to inspire their sales people, explain and promote products and services, capture more attention from customers, and ultimately sharpen their creative edge.

Some examples of ways to cover your creativity on your marketing resume include:

  • Developed content for company blog that increased readership by 30% over the course of 1 year.
  • Developed social media posts that highlighted new company products with a 22% clickthrough rate.
  • Designed infographics for a campaign that promoted a new company service, leading to a 10% increase in sales.
  • Designed collateral materials for a tradeshow that led to the company securing its largest account in its history.

Strategic Thinking.

Another skill that is important to have in marketing it strategic thinking. It’s critical whether you’re designing a website or overseeing a major marketing campaign.

When you think strategically, you’re essentially defining an objective, identifying ways to achieve that objective, and creating recommendations for the best option to move forward with. Being a strategic thinker is the opposite of being an instinctual or spontaneous thinker. It means you ask questions, can identify what you want to achieve and the obstacles in the way, know your options for solutions, and can identify the most effective one.

Whether you’re communicating with consumers, vendors and partners, employees, or the general public, you need to think strategically to cut through the clutter and get noticed. Otherwise, you’re simply more noise.

So how do you highlight your strategic thinking skills on your resume? Here are some ways:

  • Developed and launched a digital marketing strategy that delivered a 19% profitability gain.
  • Created a content marketing plan and strategy that increased number of organic leads by 32%.
  • Initiated a post-click marketing platform to improve on-page conversions by 12%.
  • Generated 250 new sales leads for company with marketing strategy for national tradeshow.

Communication skills.

Marketing is all about communication, whether it’s written, verbal, or visual and whether you’re communicating in-house or to those outside the company. Strong communication skills are therefore vital to include on your resume, so you can demonstrate your ability to inform and inspire, whatever your marketing role is.

This goes beyond communicating in actual marketing materials, but also with your team and other players within the company. If you’re commonly tasked with giving presentations, for instance, to get buy-in from senior leaders, then your communication skills are essential. You’ll also need to be able to go back and guide your team based on feedback from company leadership to ensure everyone is on the same page and progressing in the right direction.

When it comes to discussing communication on your resume, some ways to focus on it include:

  • Managed a team of 12 individuals to launch a new marketing initiative to promote a company product that increased sales by $2.1 million.
  • Developed training materials for new company employees to onboard them effectively, leading to a 45% increase in retention after six months of employment.
  • Improved close ratios for sales team by 27% with quality print and digital collateral, along with a landing page for customers and prospects to learn more.
  • Routinely presented pitches to company leadership at the firm and also presented a marketing trends seminar at three industry association meetings.

When your resume highlights these three skills – creativity, strategic thinking, and communication – you’ll demonstrate to hiring managers that you have what it takes to perform the job.

Keep in mind, just as in marketing when you focus more on the benefits and less on the features, it’s important for you to focus more on your achievements and less on the tasks you performed. This means listing quantified outcomes wherever you can and providing specific examples of how your work benefitted the company.

Want Help With Your Marketing Resume?

If you’d like help writing a winning resume that lands you the job you want, ResumeSpice is ready to get to work. We’re professional resume writers who know what hiring managers want to see on resumes and can help you craft one that leads to the next step: an interview. Simply call 832.930.7378 or contact us online.

Is There a Best Type of Resume? ResumeSpice Has the Answers

Resume writing can get complicated, especially if you’re not sure which format to follow. This all depends on a number of factors.

For instance, are you a recent college graduate? Or do you have decades of experience? Also, have you worked in temporary roles in the past and are now looking for a permanent option? Or do you only have full-time positions to list?

The answer to these questions will impact which format is best for your job search. It’s important to know ahead of time because hiring managers only quickly scan resumes. If yours isn’t in the right format, it will get sidelined, fast.

To help ensure that doesn’t happen to you, and that you get a call for an interview, here are a few common types of resumes and the pros and cons of each format.

Reverse Chronological Resume

The reverse chronological resume is the standard for most companies and hiring managers. This is where you list your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position.

After your work history, generally you’ll include education, and then any awards, accolades, and certifications, followed by miscellaneous information, such as volunteer roles or literacy with a certain computer program that’s important for the job.

This is the resume format used in a wide range of industries, from accounting and finance to healthcare and many others. If you have a solid work history and years of experience, then this resume format can help you highlight it.

The only con to this resume format is that it will show any gaps in employment. If you were out of the workforce for a period of time, you should discuss why in your cover letter so it doesn’t count against you. You can also point to any courses or volunteer opportunities you were involved with during that time away from the workforce.

Online Resume

If you’re thinking an online resume is the best fit, one of the common places to post yours is in LinkedIn. This way, hiring managers can not only see your resume, but also learn more about you through your summary, recommendations and any additional information, like links to work samples, you can provide. This, in turn, can paint a vivid picture as to why you’re the best fit for a particular job opportunity.

Even if you submit a traditional resume in a Word document or as a PDF, having a LinkedIn URL is a great way to stand out. Again, you are able to provide more information than what will fit on your resume.

As a result, a hiring manager can find out specific details about your work accomplishments, read testimonials and recommendations from those you’ve worked with in the past, and review any posts you’ve published establishing you as a thought leader in the industry.

Additional Tip: DON'T Use a Functional Resume

In a previous blog, we laid out several reasons to avoid using a functional resume. Rather than listing work history in order, this type of resume focuses on skills and experience that match the particular job you are applying for. The issue with this type of resume is that it’s often used to hide a spotty work history or gaps in employment. Hiring managers know this, which is why this type of resume is a clear red flag for them.

Also, we’ve mentioned previously that your resume may only get around six seconds of a recruiters’ time when they pull it up. That’s a very short period to decide if a candidate should move forward or be taken out of the running completely. A functional resume hinders recruiters from understanding your career path timeline, or even the exact details. Functional resumes require digging and recruiters do not have enough time to connect your skills to your job history. Stick to a format that always places your skills and achievements next to your company and tenure.

Need more help writing your resume?

We hope the above tips have helped as you look to revamp your resume this year. Should you need further assistance, ResumeSpice has a team of professional resume writers who know what hiring managers want to see on resumes. We can craft yours from scratch or polish an existing one, ensuring it’s in the best-fit format and communicates why you’re a strong contender for the role. Ready to get started? Simply call 832.930.7378 or contact us today.

50 Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

Whether you have an in-person or virtual interview, you’ll want to come prepared and give your best shot to get the role you’re aiming for. While it’s good to prepare for common questions that interviewers will likely ask you, the interview process doesn’t end there. There’s usually a time during the interview when the hiring associate will open the floor for any questions you may have. 

Asking meaningful questions during this period gives you an edge over other applicants and reaffirms your interest in the role and the company. Below, we’re sharing the 50 best questions to ask in a job interview and some tips to help increase your chances of getting hired, so keep scrolling.

Asking the Right Questions During a Job Interview

When an interviewer encourages you to ask questions, you should have two goals. The first one is to evaluate the company itself and if the job is really for you. Working in a company is a commitment, so you’ll want to make sure that you, the company, and your role are all compatible.

Another goal is to prove to the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position. Coming prepared is always a good sign, and interviewers will notice if you approach this segment of the interview with confidence and preparedness. 

You can also achieve your goal of getting hired by asking insightful questions. Refrain from questions that are answerable by a simple yes or no. Instead, raise questions that require detailed answers. Ask about the company’s goals, struggles, future opportunities, developments, and more.

It’s also important to personalize your questions. Avoid generic language and make it applicable to your role. For example, do not just ask the interviewer what a usual day in the office looks like. Instead, ask how a usual day for you in this position looks. Apart from showing genuine interest in the role you’re applying for; you’re also helping the interviewer visualize you performing the job.

Don’t be too robotic. Ask questions that make this part of the interview a continuation of your conversation. For example, if earlier in the interview the hiring manager mentioned a project that you would potentially work on in this role, you can follow up with a question that brings up more detail about that project or ones like it. By letting the conversation flow smoothly and naturally, you’re also building rapport with the hiring manager. 

Top Questions Focused on the Job

By asking questions specific to the job you’re applying for, you’re showing your interest and commitment to the role. Moreover, you should have a clear grasp of what your day-to-day responsibilities would be to set your expectations and avoid any surprises and frustrations. 

  1. What does a typical day or week look like for this position?
  2. What are the most crucial things I must accomplish during my first 30, 60, or 90 days in the position? 
  3. What are the most immediate tasks or projects that I should fulfill? Can you give me some examples of the projects I’d need to accomplish?
  4. May I know if this is a new role or if I’ll be replacing an employee who’s about to leave? 
  5. How does your performance review process work? When and how often would I receive the evaluation?
  6. What metrics does the team use to assess performance for this role? 
  7. What are some of the biggest hurdles that an employee taking this role would face?
  8. What are the skills and attributes needed to be successful in this position?
  9. Is there a chance for the major responsibilities for this role to change over the next six months? How?
  10. How does this role contribute to the overall success and growth of the company?

Best Questions Focused on the Company

Learning more about the company you may be working with will help you see if you share the same values and if you’re going in the same direction. Working with others who share your values will give you a greater sense of fulfillment and happiness in the long run. 

Moreover, asking the following questions can give you an idea regarding job security. At the same time, you’re highlighting your commitment to the company. 

  1. What goals are the company focusing on right now? How does the team help ensure these goals are met? 
  2. What direction do you think the company will be moving in several years from now? 
  3. I’ve learned about how the company started, but can you share with me how the company has changed over the years?
  4. What makes you excited about the future of the company? 
  5. What can you share with me about new products, services, or development plans?
  6. How would you describe the most important values of the company? 
  7. What steps does the company take to make sure its values are practiced and maintained?

Practical Questions Focused on the Interviewer

Raising questions related to the interviewer is one way to establish rapport with a potential colleague. It also means that you’re interested in them as a person and not just a tool to help you get the job. In addition, you’ll get an insider’s view of the working environment. You might also just learn how the interviewer started and progressed in the company.  

  1. How long have you been working with this company? 
  2. How has your role changed since you started working here? 
  3. What is your favorite thing about being part of this company?
  4. May I know why you chose to work for this company?
  5. What is it about your job that gets you most excited in the next several months?
  6. What challenge(s) do you often or occasionally encounter with this job?
  7. Are there some future projects or initiatives that you’re particularly passionate about? 

Smart Questions Focused on the Team

To help you find out what type of team you’ll be working with and determine if it’s the right team for you, try asking some of the following questions. These might give you a chance to mention some experiences you’ve had working with similar teams, thus reinforcing how you’re suitable for the role.

  1. Can you tell me more about the team I’ll be part of?
  2. To whom would I report directly?
  3. Who would I be working with most closely? 
  4. What other units or departments will my team work closely with and how?
  5. Are you planning to hire more people for this team in the next six months?
  6. What are the strengths and challenges of the team?
  7. What kinds of skills do the current team lack that you think a new hire could offer?

Interesting Questions Focused on the Culture

Knowing about the company culture can help you determine if it’s the right company for you and if you’ll enjoy working there long term. You’ll also get a glimpse of how the company values employee happiness and work-life balance. Ask questions related to what matters to you in a company’s culture. Here are some ideas:

  1. What office tradition do you like the most?
  2. Can you tell me more about the work environment? Is the work generally more independent or more collaborative?
  3. What’s something different about working in this company from other organizations you’ve worked for?
  4. Does the company hold events with other departments or organizations? 
  5. How do you usually onboard your employees? How does the organization ensure the same standards and opportunities for both remote and in-office employees?
  6. How has the company developed since you joined here?
  7. Is there anything that I should study or read before starting that can help me develop a shared understanding and stronger relationship with my colleagues? 
  8. What does the team often do for lunch? Do team members spend time with each other outside of the office?
  9. How does the team create and maintain a strong, healthy relationship with each other?

Best Questions About Future Opportunities

While you’re still trying to get the job, it’s best to see what opportunities await you should you become part of the company. You’ll want to grow both professionally and personally. Moreover, asking questions about future opportunities will let the hiring manager see how dedicated you are to excelling in the job and not just simply showing up and completing tasks every day.

  1. How does your onboarding process work?
  2. Does the company offer professional development opportunities? How do these work?
  3. How are employees rewarded who excel in their roles? 
  4. Will there be stretch assignments that can help me acquire new skills? 
  5. Do you think the role will expand in the future?
  6. Does the company provide on-the-job training?
  7. Will there be an opportunity to represent the team or company at conferences and other events?

Common Questions Regarding the Next Steps

Before the whole interview ends, you’ll want to make sure the interview has all the necessary information they need to consider you for the job. At the same time, you want to know what to expect afterward, so ask these questions.

  1. May I know the next steps in the interview process? 
  2. Are there any other questions that I can answer for you? 
  3. Is there anything else that I have to provide that may be helpful?

By asking if they have final questions for you, you’ll have a chance to address any possible objections they may have. Moreover, you can clarify any questions they have regarding your qualifications for the role.

Questions You Should Avoid

Apart from learning the 50 best questions to ask in a job interview, you should also know what questions to avoid, so you won’t lose your chance of getting the role. Examples include the following: 

  • What will be my starting salary? 
  • Can you tell me about your leave policies?
  • How soon do you promote or give a raise to your employees? How often do you give bonuses? 
  • Will I have my own office?
  • Who are the top competitors of the company?
  • Are there any other roles open?
  • When will you make an offer to someone for this position?
  • How soon can I file for vacation leave after getting hired? 
  • What is the worst part about working here?  

Asking about the salary might create an impression that you’re only after the compensation. Besides, companies often indicate in their job ads the salary. Thus, avoid questions related to salary, promotions, vacation and sick leaves, and other benefits. 

You don’t want to sound arrogant or impatient with questions like if you’ll have your own office or if you got the job. Instead, show that you respect their hiring process, and let them approach you first regarding their decision.

Moreover, avoid asking questions that can be answered with quick research. You’re expected to search about the company and the role, so keep your questions relevant and personalized.

Final Thoughts

A job interview is a two-way process. The company needs to see if you’re the right person for the job and you need to determine if the role, the company, and its culture are what you’re looking for. When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions for them, use these 50 best questions to ask in a job interview.

Want to make sure you’ll ace your job interview? Our interview experts are here to help you prepare for your interview. From creating impressive resumes to working with a professional coach, ResumeSpice is equipped to help you realize your career goals.

 

How to Select a Resume Writing Service

Selecting the right resume writing service involves more than finding a company that can string together a few sentences and facts. The chosen service needs to effectively summarize your attributes, experience, and knowledge in a format that flows, while making you stand out from other applicants. The checklist of must-have features below will streamline the process and help you eliminate unqualified companies

#1: Experience Counts

The job market of today is the most competitive in decades, which means you need a professional resume writing service that has concrete experience across a broad range of industries. Rather than relying on a single person who has limited first-hand recruiting experience, look for a company that has in-depth recruiting experience and has worked with hiring managers and human resource personnel who make decisions on job seekers’ resumes every day. They will be more likely to put together a resume that effective captures the hiring manager’s attention.

#2: Consultations, Not Forms

Most resume writing companies incorporate initial forms that ask clients to input key information about their career goals. A company that excels will couple the form with extensive consultations. Choose a company that offers a choice of several consultations formats such as Skype, in-person, and phone to fit your style, personality, and schedule. This approach results in a customized resume that reflects what you have to offer and how you are the best choice for the job.

#3: Timely Delivery

Everyone's heard horror stories about someone finding a listing with the perfect job, only to find out later that an applicant was chosen within a few days of the job posting, before they even had a chance to apply. When it comes to nailing the job you want, timeliness is critical. Look for a professional resume writing service that can turn around a first draft of your resume in as little as two days

#4: Quality Shines Through

Working with a team at a resume writing service not only ensures that your resume gets the customization you deserve, it also enjoys scrutiny from people with different perspectives who each have something to offer. This team effort guarantees that at least two different people work on and review your resume so that it passes the applicant tracking systems utilized by most employers.

#5: Guaranteed

Some sort of guarantee is pretty standard for resume writing services. What you'll often find after you dig a little deeper though, is lots of fine print and exclusions. These are designed to protect the resume writer — not you. A resume writing service that is confident in its ability and that has proven itself within the industry, needs no such fine print. Instead, look for a company that offers a simple guarantee that results in actionable steps for you, such as a free rework of your resume if you don't receive a request for an interview within 60 days.

A resume is your introduction to a potential employer and, as such, should be trusted to a proven, professional resume writing service. Finding the right resume writing service that can deliver a powerful document that generates results, might just be the best investment you make this year.

Call ResumeSpice to learn how we can help you stand out in a crowded marketplace with a resume that gets the attention it deserves. As one of the country’s leading professional resume writing services, we can help you produce a winning resume. Contact us today to learn more at 832.930.7378.