The One Resume Tip You Need

I am always asked about what resume format is best, how long a resume should be, how much work history should be included.  In short, it seems that most of the time when I am asked about resumes, it is all about format, but I think that is the least important ingredient to make your resume stand out in a crowd.  

War and Peace was a mightly long book---- but it was widely read and respected.  The Gettysburg Address was short and powerful and still studied today.  And there were plenty of books of varying lengths in between those two that were barely opened.  Why----because it is really about content.

So the answer to make sure your resume stands out is to focus on content.  It is really fairly simple:  When you write your resume, just be sure that it clearly tells the story of how you made a difference for every employer and how you left your unique mark on each position.  How do you do that?  I suggest you write the story of your career---as if you were writing your journal. Write about the highlights---where you solved problems, challenged the status quo, mentored and grew your people.  Write it all out-----then create bullet points for your resume that will best convey that story. 

Go over every bullet point and reread every entry and make sure that the take-away for the reader is that you have something completely unique to offer-----that what you do and how you do it cannot be done by anyone else in quite the same way and with quite the same impact.  Now, you'll stand out whether it is short or long, chronological or any other format.  Because substance is what matters---always.