Resume Blunder 102: Elevator Pitch or Epic Fail? 4 Steps to a Killer Resume Intro
Your resume introduction is your Elevator Pitch.
Your resume introduction is your Mini Cover Letter.
Your resume introduction is another way of saying “Hire me !” instead of the “please”.
Let’s craft a killer intro: T.E.L.L. them why you’re the one (in lean, efficient, leveraged and tailored sentences).
Tailor (T) :
Tailor your introduction to the specific role. Utilize past experiences to highlight skills beneficial to the new role. Explain why this role is a natural progression in your career and what you bring uniquely.
Efficient (E)
Highlight key skills and industries in a quick takeaway format to encapsulate your diverse expertise.
Think “5-second scan.” Use 4–5 keywords that stand out.
Lean (L):
Lean into simplicity with straightforward sentences and impeccable grammar. First impressions matter, and your resume introduction sets the tone.
Aim for 4 succinct sentences with impact, each with a maximum of 10–12 words.
Leverage (L)
Numbers add authority and credibility. Show, don’t tell, by quantifying your achievements to command attention.
Say “5 years” instead of “five years”. Show your $$ value impact : $$ made, $$ saved, etc. Hours saved. Xx number of people led!
Aim for at least 3 sets of numbers.
Some examples for your review:
Example 1:
Highly accomplished and result-oriented executive with substantial experience in driving company sales, and earning customer satisfaction at high-growth organizations. Proven track record of maximizing sales opportunities, overseeing billing procedures, and delivering coaching leadership towards work excellence. Adept at maintaining a broad knowledge of products, competitors, and general markets to ensure business superiority and satisfy sales goals. Capable of conducting one-on-one consultations with clients to develop fitness plans. Demonstrated success in working well under pressure, quickly learning job functions, and effectively handling various tasks while remaining detail oriented. Possess strong expertise in prioritizing tasks, adapting to the challenging environment, and meeting stringent deadlines.
This shall not work!
- Tailoring: This example lacks specific mention of the new role or how past experience connects.
- Efficiency: Keywords are present, but they’re generic and don’t highlight unique skills.
- Leanness: Sentences are too long and lack punch. Aim for brevity and impact.
- Leveraging: No quantification of achievements makes it less compelling.
Example 2:
Result-driven SEO specialist with 3+ years of experience designing and implementing SEO campaigns for e-commerce companies. Looking for a PPC specialist position at XYZ Agency to leverage strong knack for web analytics and SEM to drive traffic and increase sales.
Could have been better!
- Tailoring: The transition mention is vague. It needs a stronger link to the specific PPC role at XYZ Agency.
- Efficiency: Good keyword selection, but consider focusing on 3–4 most relevant skills for the target position.
- Leanness: This example is lean, but could benefit from a slight expansion to elaborate on the “knack for web analytics” and its impact.
- Leveraging: Minimal use of leverage. Quantify the results of using web analytics and SEM to drive traffic and sales.
Example 3:
“Detail-oriented software engineer with 5+ years of experience in Node.js and React looking to transition into the role of an IT-focused project manager. Practical experience conducting daily scrum meetings and following agile project management methodologies.”
A great start !
- Tailoring: Mentions transition but lacks explanation for wanting to be a project manager. Connect Node.js and React experience to IT project management skills.
- Efficiency: Good keyword selection. Consider adding 1–2 more specific skills based on the target project manager role.
- Leanness: Too lean. Briefly expand on the daily scrum meetings and agile methodologies to showcase relevant project management abilities.
- Leveraging: Leverage experience by quantifying the outcomes of scrum meetings and agile methodologies.
Example 4:
Marketing Executive with ten years’ experience working at Fortune 500 companies. Results include: Designed, executed, and optimized digital marketing campaign on Google’s AdWords for $20B CPG company, yielding 20% ROI improvements and Optimized budget allocation of marketing spend of $10MM for technology startup. Looking to create synergies across different digital channels and work across the large corporations with your agency.
Nearly there!
- Tailoring: Excellent! Mentions transition and aligns experience with agency work.
- Efficiency: Strong keyword selection with clear focus on digital marketing channels.
- Leanness: Optimal word usage, concise and impactful.
- Leveraging: Trickly, as leverage focuses on campaign design and not agency synergies. Consider mentioning specific ways you can create synergies across channels within large corporations.
Example 5:
Sales Manager with 9+ years of experience in training and supervising sales staff, and planning and implementing sales strategies in the B2B sector in the USA. Successfully managed 5 marketing campaigns worth $1 — $3 million USD, while leading a team of 20 creative and technical sales staff with 97% CSAT (vs avg 84%). Seeking to bring my proven record of team leading and launching successful marketing campaigns into filling a senior sales management position.
Most impactful!
- Tailoring: Perfect! Clearly states why they want a senior sales management position.
- Efficiency: Excellent keyword selection, highlighting relevant skills for the target role.
- Leanness: Lean and impactful.
- Leveraging: Excellent use of quantification to showcase achievements in team leadership and campaign success.
