Résumé Strategies | Layoff to LAUNCH An Inbetweener's Playbook
Series Overview
Layoff to Launch is a blog series, comprised of six articles:
- Introduction
- Day One: Triage
- Personal Branding
- Résumé Strategies
- Self-Promotion Power Plays
- Dealing with Ageism
Setting the Stage
Navigating today's dynamic, post-generative AI job market demands mastery in résumé writing. Drawing from decades of personal experience and recent developments, this 'Layoff to Launch' series article highlights key résumé crafting strategies, with a special reveal of my favorite job-finding book, as previously promised.
The Importance of Storytelling in Résumés
Creating an effective résumé starts with a clear target. A résumé is your professional story. Every element of your résumé should align with your career aspirations and target your desired role. Highlight experiences that support the goal. Even minor roles can add to this narrative if positioned thoughtfully.
The Power of Visual Résumés
A 2015 Glassdoor report found that a typical corporate job opening attracts 250 résumés, yet only 4-6 candidates are interviewed, with just one landing the job. In today's even more competitive landscape, differentiation is key. Opting for a visual résumé or CV is one effective tactic. Years ago, I challenged myself to create a standout visual CV, which has served me well and received positive feedback ever since. It's important to note that you do not have to be a visual artist to justify creating a visually striking résumé nor does it require you to possess graphic design skills. As I shared in my recent blog post, “Unlocking Opportunities: How a Visual Portfolio Boosts a Writer's Career,” collaborating with a professional designer can produce outstanding results, setting you apart from others.
Balancing Visual Appeal with ATS Compatibility
While a visually striking résumé can captivate human readers, having an ATS-friendly version for machine reading is equally important. Most recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan and filter résumés based on keywords and labels. A visually complex résumé might not be scannable by these systems, potentially causing qualified candidates to be overlooked. To mitigate this, prepare two versions of your résumé: a visually engaging one for human interaction and a simplified, text-based version optimized for ATS. For a more comprehensive guide on creating ATS-friendly résumés, refer to the article “How to create an ATS friendly résumé in 2024” from Jobscan.
This dual approach caters to the human eye and the ATS, maximizing your chances in a competitive job market.
Leveraging AI for Résumé Customization
Traditionally, experts advise customizing your résumé for each job application. While sound in theory, it was a tedious task – until now. Enter generative AI tools and game-changers in résumé customization. My experiments with these tools created several résumé versions in mere minutes, each highlighting various skill sets from my career, making the process efficient and impactful.
Three AI Versions of Steve Lomas
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Skills and Expertise
- Graphic Design and Art Direction
- Product Marketing and Creative Direction
- Team Leadership and Talent Development
- User-Centered Design and UX/UI Direction
- Design Thinking and Concept Prototyping
Summary
A dynamic Creative Director with decades of experience leading creative endeavors across technology and design industries. Expert in guiding teams to develop innovative solutions, combining critical thinking with a strong aesthetic sense. Proven track record in conceptualizing and executing impactful creative strategies that align with business objectives. Excels in mentoring creative talent and fostering a collaborative environment.
Professional Strengths
- Expertise in Graphic Design and Art Direction
- Proficient in Product Marketing and Brand Strategy
- Strong Leadership in Creative Team Management
- Skilled in User-Centered Design Practices
- Proficiency in Design Thinking and Agile Methodologies
- Talent for Ideation and Creative Concept Development
- Proven ability in Managing Global Creative Teams
PRODUCT OWNER
Skills and Expertise
- Product Development and Management
- Agile and Lean Methodologies
- Customer and Market Analysis
- Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration
- UX/UI Design and User-Centered Approach
Summary
An accomplished Product Owner with decades of experience leading product development initiatives in the technology and creative sectors. Proficient in managing the product lifecycle, from conception through launch and iteration. Skilled in aligning product features with customer needs and business goals, fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams, and steering products toward market success.
Professional Strengths
- Expertise in Product Development Lifecycle Management
- Proficiency in Agile and Lean Product Management Techniques
- Strong Analytical Skills in Customer and Market Research
- Leadership in Team Collaboration and Product Vision Alignment
- Skilled in UX/UI Design and User-Centric Product Strategies
- Effective Communication and Stakeholder Management
- Innovation in Product Concept and Design Thinking
MENTOR
Skills and Expertise
- Mentorship and Coaching
- Leadership and Team Development
- Talent Identification and Nurturing
- Professional Guidance and Career Counseling
- Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Summary
A seasoned Mentor with decades of diverse experience in the technology and creative industries. Former corporate executive and serial entrepreneur. Exceptional at identifying and cultivating talent, providing guidance and support, and fostering professional growth. Renowned for a personable approach, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to helping individuals achieve their career goals.
Professional Strengths
- Extensive Experience in Mentorship and Coaching
- Expertise in Leadership and Team Building
- Proficient in Talent Identification and Development
- Skilled in Offering Career Advice and Support
- Strong Interpersonal and Communication Abilities
- Proven Track Record in Developing High-Performing Teams
- Commitment to Continuous Learning and Improvement
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Skills and Expertise
- Graphic Design and Art Direction
- Product Marketing and Creative Direction
- Team Leadership and Talent Development
- User-Centered Design and UX/UI Direction
- Design Thinking and Concept Prototyping
PRODUCT OWNER
Skills and Expertise
- Product Development and Management
- Agile and Lean Methodologies
- Customer and Market Analysis
- Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration
- UX/UI Design and User-Centered Approach
MENTOR
Skills and Expertise
- Mentorship and Coaching
- Leadership and Team Development
- Talent Identification and Nurturing
- Professional Guidance and Career Counseling
- Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Summary
A dynamic Creative Director with decades of experience in leading creative endeavors across technology and design industries. Expert in guiding teams to develop innovative solutions, combining critical thinking with a strong aesthetic sense. Proven track record in conceptualizing and executing impactful creative strategies that align with business objectives. Excels in mentoring creative talent and fostering a collaborative environment
Summary
An accomplished Product Owner with decades of experience leading product development initiatives in the technology and creative sectors. Proficient in managing the product lifecycle, from conception through launch and iteration. Skilled in aligning product features with customer needs and business goals, fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams, and steering products toward market success.
Summary
A seasoned Mentor with decades of diverse experience in the technology and creative industries. Former corporate executive and serial entrepreneur. Exceptional at identifying and cultivating talent, providing guidance and support, and fostering professional growth. Renowned for a personable approach, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to helping individuals achieve their career goals.
Professional Strengths
- Expertise in Graphic Design and Art Direction
- Proficient in Product Marketing and Brand Strategy
- Strong Leadership in Creative Team Management
- Skilled in User-Centered Design Practices
- Proficiency in Design Thinking and Agile Methodologies
- Talent for Ideation and Creative Concept Development
- Proven ability in Managing Global Creative Teams
Professional Strengths
- Expertise in Product Development Lifecycle Management
- Proficiency in Agile and Lean Product Management Techniques
- Strong Analytical Skills in Customer and Market Research
- Leadership in Team Collaboration and Product Vision Alignment
- Skilled in UX/UI Design and User-Centric Product Strategies
- Effective Communication and Stakeholder Management
- Innovation in Product Concept and Design Thinking
Professional Strengths
- Mentorship and Coaching
- Leadership and Team Development
- Talent Identification and Nurturing
- Professional Guidance and Career Counseling
- Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Disclaimer
One word of caution: this approach, while effective, requires scrutiny to maintain authenticity and accuracy.
Common Résumé Mistakes
Oversharing and Exaggeration
Remember, less can be more on your résumé. Overdoing details to impress might backfire. Share unique contributions but keep them in perspective – they should enhance, not overshadow, your overall experience. Stay honest and balanced about your roles in projects.
True story: I once met a designer who showed me work from a project I led. He didn't know I was in charge and exaggerated his role, claiming he did the full design when he was just involved in production. Oops! Always be honest about your work – you never know who you're chatting with!
The Non-Negotiables: Grammar, Formatting, and Proofreading
In today's era of advanced proofreading tools, a well-written, error-free résumé is essential. It reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
Using Generative AI for Formatting and Proofreading
AI tools also assist in formatting challenges, ensuring your résumé is not only rich in content but also visually coherent and appealing.
My Favorite Job-Hunting Book
OK, it's time to share my favorite book on job hunting. Why is this my favorite? For starters, I read this book once, in college, and I can still paraphrase the methodology:
- Determine the career and location you're interested in
- Find someone working in that field, possibly through a friend.
- Arrange a meeting with them, clarifying that you want to understand their industry rather than seek employment.
- Meet and discuss their role and the challenges they face.
- Ask them for a referral to another professional in the industry.
- Continue this process, meeting more individuals, asking insightful questions, and gathering industry knowledge.
- These interactions will progressively build your understanding and make you increasingly viable, often leading to a job offer.
Have you guessed the book?
"What Color Is Your Parachute?"
This classic by Richard N. Bolles, written over four decades ago, has been updated many times and is still the GOAT. And I have a personal testimony to back that up...
Personal Success Story
Right after college, I applied these principles and turned a casual lunch with a junior-level animator at Disney Studios into a series of meetings, ultimately leading to a significant opportunity with the head of Disney Studios in just a few weeks!
Conclusion
To stand out in today's job market, enhance your résumé with storytelling, visual elements, and AI tools. In doing so, you will create a narrative that resonates with both human and digital evaluators. Apply these tips to transform your résumé into a key to unlock exciting new career opportunities!
Next Installment
In my next article, we'll discuss Self-Promotion Power Plays.
Join the Conversation
What are your favorite résumé tips? Be sure to share them in on LinkedIn.
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