Brainstorming For Your Resume: Key Considerations For Content Creation

Creating a well-crafted resume can take time and planning. Many people find themselves at a loss for what to include. They have difficulty looking objectively at their experience and determining their strengths. Taking time to brainstorm can help you to delve deeper into your career history and highlight accomplishments that make you stand out as an applicant.

During your brainstorming session, allow yourself at least five minutes to do nothing but write. Jot down everything that comes to mind about your strengths, accomplishments, job functions, training, and more. As you write, this can help to trigger ideas for things you may have previously forgotten. Once you have you list of thoughts, start to organize them by grouping them together by job or topic. You can then continue to build and expand upon these ideas for more effective content.

Here are some key sections to focus on:

Strengths

This is an area where many people struggle because they don’t want to sound too self-righteous. However, your resume is a reflection of you and you want to showcase your best qualities. If you’re having trouble getting started, think about what your boss or colleagues might say when asked about you.

Your strengths don’t have to just be soft skills such as being a team player, a great communicator, or a problem solver. Consider hard skills as well. Do you excel at accounts payable and receivable, database management, business development, or market research? Look at your abilities in a broader perspective. Your strengths can be a great basis for developing your summary of qualifications and core competencies.

Action- or Results-Oriented Accomplishments

Elaborate on your work experience to demonstrate results or the actions you took in completing a successful project. Include metrics where possible for even more solid support. Rather than just saying you implemented a new process, talk about how you did it and what it accomplished. Did it cut costs? Reduce production time? Increase revenue? Make sure that each statement packs a punch and serves a purpose. Employers want to see what you bring to the table and how you could benefit their business.

Professional Accolades and Achievements

If you have won awards or recognition, highlight these accomplishments and what they were for. It can also be beneficial to note any promotions to show your upward progression and mobility in your career. In addition, if you have had work published, spoken at conferences, or completed other significant achievements in your career, it can help to include these as well. They show more support for proof of a job well done and can also show your versatility and commitment to your field.

While there are certain things that you should cut from your resume, content that positions you as an accomplished, well-rounded professional can usually be included. Focus on those achievements that are most relevant to the type of position that you are seeking and what employers are looking for in the job opening.

It is better to brainstorm and have too much information to sift through than not enough. If you are unsure of where to start or what content belongs on your resume, the team at Chic Resumes can help. We can help you to identify and sort through your accomplishments to create a powerful resume that positions you as a strong contender.

Brainstorming For Your Resume: Key Considerations For Content Creation