Many mid-level managers I assist want to move up the ladder but can’t land interviews. Why?
Too often, management-level resumes I review are little more than a retelling of the individual’s job duties via a list of bullet points and do nothing to get the candidate noticed or differentiate them from the rest of the pack. Their LinkedIn profiles are incomplete. They haven’t taken the time to align their cover letter with the position being sought. And, the majority, present generic information throughout their documents that could apply to almost any other applicant seeking the same role making it harder for them to get noticed let alone called in for an interview.
There’s a lot of hard work that goes into management job searches and mid-manager resume writing. So how do you get noticed in a competitive market? This post will walk you through the elements missing from a successful mid-manager job search (and how to fix them). At any level, the resume needs to present clear examples of the impact you’ve made, highlight the exceptional work your done in the past, and the value you bring to the employer.
Go from Generic to Highly Targeted Resume
Is your resume branded? Simply put, a branded resume clearly communicates the unique value you bring to your next employer – that is, what you do better than anyone else in the role you are pursuing.
A generic rendition of your career history is no longer enough. Recruiting, hiring authorities, and decision-makers are trying to determine how your skills and experience align with their needs and help them overcome the challenges they are facing. A bland retelling of your job duties is not going to help you win a coveted interview.
Wield the Power of a Cover Letter
Many management professionals overlook the power of a cover letter. Even when an employer doesn’t specifically state ‘resume + cover letter required’, 74% of recruiters prefer to receive applications which include both.
A well-written cover letter is another opportunity for you to present your brand message and directly align your skills and experience with the specific company’s needs, providing them with specific evidence of how you are a great fit.
Beef Up Your LinkedIn Profile
Having a LinkedIn account without completing your profile is one of the top reasons why your job search might be failing. Time and again, statistics continue to reveal LinkedIn as the leading social platform where organizations turn to source talent and professionals leverage LinkedIn’s hundreds of millions of professional networks, search for and share content, and build brand credibility to become a highly visible and top-ranking candidate.
– Identify industry + role-specific keywords and integrate throughout your headline, summary, and experience sections.
– Write an attention-grabbing headline that goes beyond your ‘title’ and provides the reader with your unique value.
– Create a summary statement that connects with your audience and includes a call for action.
– Author a more personalized version of your experience (don’t copy + paste from your resume).
– Upload a professional headshot. Statistics show a photo increases your profile view rate by 14X (LinkedIn, 2019).
From start to finish, your resume must emphasize your contributions and accomplishments. Read through your finished resume and translate buzz words and overused phrases into strong action-oriented statements that showcase how you’ve delivered results.
To Recap:
- Get Specific: Focus on your value and how your experience is aligned with needs.
- Include a Cover Letter: A well-written cover letter is a powerful tool in your job search arsenal.
- Complete Your LinkedIn Profile: Every three minutes Someone gets hired through LinkedIn (LinkedIn, 2020).
If you are looking to transition into a new role in 2022, I’m here to help. From writing resume to cover letters and LinkedIn profile, presenting + optimizing the ‘right’ information Breakthrough Resume Writing Service helps you win interviews!
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