Insights into the forces shaping our industry.

The news headlines can be ominous or filled with opportunity, and either can start you updating your resume. For example, oil and gas companies have laid off more than 250,000 workers, and GE recently announced that Alstom will cut one-fifth of their staff. Yet there are companies who are growing and the LED market is exploding. Electrical companies like Hubbell report increased sales and organic growth of two percent. You never know when you will need to respond to a lay off or the opportunity to join a promising company, so updating your resume is always a good idea. Don’t wait any longer! 

It’s simpler than you think when you update your resume in these key areas:

1. ADDRESS/HEADER

• If you have a LinkedIn profile put it on your resume.
• If you have an AOL email account, you are dating yourself; it is time to upgrade to Google email address. Don’t use an email name like HotMom or Bigstud123.BE PROFESSIONAL.
• Even though we work in a world where a virtual office is acceptable, reveal where you live. Some companies seek employees who live in a certain part of the city or country.

2. PROFILE SUMMARY/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• This is not a required piece but can replace the old “objective statement.” We all know you want a job with a great company where you can make a difference. Reveal what you have to offer this potential new company. What do you bring to the table that makes you different than the other people looking for a job there?
• You may be tempted to worry about keywords, but these will inherently appear in the description of what you are doing.
• Nowadays, a resume longer than one page is ok, especially if you have been in the industry more than ten years. However, make it as readable as you can. Use bullet points and format for easy scanning.

3. EXPERIENCE

• Provide details of what you achieved for your prior or current employer. Explain their business, scope of services, and revenue. (Ex.: Manufacturer of high voltage wire and cable used in the utility market with sales volume of $1 billion.)
• Quantify what you did with numbers and statistics (Ex. Called on 100 customers/month. Helped company increase revenue by $XXXXX in the first year. Increased efficiency by 25 percent. Managed a team of 25.)

4. EDUCATION

• Place it at the bottom of your resume if you have been out working for more than 15 years
• If you have a degree, list it and include what year you received it.
• Don’t be concerned about revealing your age. You will need to reveal it during the process anyway.

5. PROPER FORM

• Don’t write “References Available on Request”. Everyone knows you can give them references. Otherwise, what is wrong with you that nobody will recommend you?
• Use spell check if for no other reason than to demonstrate your attention to detail!
• Have someone else read it over. Your resume must make sense to everyone that reads it.

Address these areas and before you know it, you will have an updated resume, ready to represent you well in the job market. At Egret Consulting, we are experts at helping you find your next position in wire and cable as well as most other sectors of the electrical industry. If we can be of assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at 847.970.5949.