Building a Resume Takes
Time
In search for the
next teaching adventure the profile needs to tell a story –your story. The
story draws attention to the diamonds hiding in your resume. Lori Ann Comeau shares insight on how to
write a resume for greatest impact, or radiant a shine in which gets you on an
airplane to teach, learn and explore in a new land.
First impressions
are lasting, and the profile is the first step to making the impression.
Role of a Resume Profile
The profile
presents an opportunity to share a story if you are presenting your resume in
person. It draws attention to the things you want an employer to see – right
away. Most of all, it gives you the
chance to tell the reader what to notice first in your career adventure,
experience and skill development.
The profile is
the hardest part of your resume to write.
Leave it to the last task in writing or refining your resume. The body
of the resume and its content reveals itself in order to summary the profile of
you – your expertise, talents, and experience.
A resume spans a
lifetime, which comprises of an infinite amount of events. It is to consider these events, the most
important ones as a means to share the best information about you, and writing
your story. It supports the diamond
within you by building the anticipation through a series of bulletin points of
skills, experience and qualifications.
The series of these events differs too.
A new graduate will focus more attention on skills and qualifications as
they build their experience whereas, as a seasoned teacher will focus more attention
on skills and experience.
Audience Determines Writing Style
A resume has to
be clear, concise and effective. Too
many words, or too text heavy can hinder the shine of a resume as the reader
gets bored and starts skipping information.
The best information about you
may be lost!
A profile should
be no more than five sentences. It
becomes too complicated. Avoid
descriptive, flowery words as well as general statements such as ‘self-motivated’, ‘team player’ and ‘punctual’. These are basic
traits of an employee. If you want to
stand above the crowd, or shine like a diamond use action words to describe
you, your skills and work. Write in the
educated third person such as:
“Designed and delivered a lecture series to
improve education performance, incorporating expert advice and examining
successful programs to launch a best practice module”.
It’s a statement,
which makes the storyteller jump from the page! It engages the reader to want to learn more
about – you!
Structure of a Resume Profile
Who are you professionally. Focus on your qualifications and background.
Who you are personally will reveal itself in your community service,
volunteerism, awards and recognition.
What focuses on your skills and expertise. What do you have to offer?
Where focuses on your sector or industry
knowledge and experience. Focus
attention on the different organizations, workplaces, and environments. This
supports the question, where do you wish your next adventure to take you?
How are going to reach your next career
adventure? Focus on the role;
organization, culture and growth, which will help, take the leap to a new
adventure.
When is a summary of your career and most
importantly sets unwritten timelines for your next career adventure to
begin. It is the seasonality of life,
and its lessons in growth and experience, which prepares us for the next adventure,
or chapter in the storybook. When do you
wish yours to begin?
Lori Ann Comeau
is a career coach for the education profession, Founder and President of Tulip Canada More career advice and teaching
opportunities can be directed to your email inbox. Email at lorianncomeau@tulipca.ca; follow her
on twitter at @tulipcanada.