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Resumes & Cover Letters

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                                                                                                        • Career Transitions Video Series
                                                                                                          • Growing on the Job
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                                                                                                                    • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
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                                                                                                                        • Becoming a Board Member
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                                                                                                                          • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
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                                                                                                                                    • Career Transitions Video Series
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                                                                                                                                      • Growing on the Job
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                                                                                                                                        • Becoming an Entrepreneur
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                                                                                                                                          • Being on Boards
                                                                                                                                            • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                            • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                              • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                              • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                • Being on Boards
                                                                                                                                                  • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                  • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                    • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                    • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                      • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                      • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                      • From C-Suite to CEO
                                                                                                                                                      • From C-Suite to CEO
                                                                                                                                                        • Balancing Work & Life
                                                                                                                                                        • Balancing Work & Life
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                                                                                                                                                              Careers

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                                                                                                                                                                          • Resumes & Cover Letters
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                                                                                                                                                                                • Finding Job Opportunities
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                                                                                                                                                                                  • Salary & Career Trends
                                                                                                                                                                                    • US Business Immigration Overview
                                                                                                                                                                                    • US Business Immigration Overview
                                                                                                                                                                                      • Global Opportunity Fellowship GO: ASIA
                                                                                                                                                                                      • Global Opportunity Fellowship GO: ASIA
                                                                                                                                                                                        • Global Opportunity Fellowship GO: AFRICA
                                                                                                                                                                                        • Global Opportunity Fellowship GO: AFRICA
                                                                                                                                                                                          • Virtual Job Search Teams
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                                                                                                                                                                                            • Interviewing
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                                                                                                                                                                                                • Getting Started
                                                                                                                                                                                                • Getting Started
                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Develop Your Career Vision
                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Develop Your Career Vision
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Questions for Evaluating Company Culture and Community
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Questions for Evaluating Company Culture and Community
                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Resumes & Cover Letters
                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Resumes & Cover Letters
                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Leverage LinkedIn
                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Leverage LinkedIn
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Generative AI
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Generative AI
                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Finding Job Opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Finding Job Opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Salary & Career Trends
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Salary & Career Trends
                                                                                                                                                                                                                • US Business Immigration Overview
                                                                                                                                                                                                                • US Business Immigration Overview
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Global Opportunity Fellowship GO: ASIA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Global Opportunity Fellowship GO: ASIA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Global Opportunity Fellowship GO: AFRICA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Global Opportunity Fellowship GO: AFRICA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Virtual Job Search Teams
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Virtual Job Search Teams
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Career Coaching
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • How Coaching Can Help You
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • How Coaching Can Help You
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • How Coaching Can Help You
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • How Coaching Can Help You
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Coach Directory
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Connect & Network
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Career Networking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Career Networking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Outreach Templates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Outreach Templates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Perfect Your Pitch
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Perfect Your Pitch
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Your Alumni Community
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Find Past & Upcoming Events
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Perfect Your Pitch
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Your Alumni Community
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Transitions & Paths
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Career Transitions Video Series
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Career Transitions Video Series
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Growing on the Job
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Growing on the Job
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Becoming an Entrepreneur
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Becoming an Entrepreneur
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Being on Boards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Being on Boards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • From C-Suite to CEO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • From C-Suite to CEO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Balancing Work & Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Balancing Work & Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Career Re-Entry & Flexible Work
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Career Re-Entry & Flexible Work
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Considering Retirement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Considering Retirement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Resources for New Alumni
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Resources for New Alumni
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Career Transitions Video Series
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Career Transitions Video Series
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Growing on the Job
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Growing on the Job
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Becoming an Entrepreneur
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Becoming an Entrepreneur
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Being on Boards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Being on Boards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Nonprofit Board Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Becoming a Board Member
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Expanding Perspectives Across Board Leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • From C-Suite to CEO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • From C-Suite to CEO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Balancing Work & Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Balancing Work & Life
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Career Re-Entry & Flexible Work
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Career Re-Entry & Flexible Work
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Considering Retirement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Considering Retirement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Resources for New Alumni
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Resources for New Alumni
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Career Blog

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Resumes & Cover Letters

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Your resume and cover letter are opportunities to market yourself to potential employers. This page offers resources to help you stand out in a sea of applicants.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Resumes: What You Need to Know

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The resume is an opportunity to market yourself to a prospective employer. It should be succinct, target an employer's needs, and distinguish you from your competitors. Before you get started, think about your strengths, weaknesses, personal preferences, and motivations. You should also consider the company's needs, who your competition might be, and your unique skill set. The best way to convince employers that you will add value is to show them that you've done it before.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Alumni Resume Book

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Our Alumni Resume Book connects you with organizations looking for talent. Visit 12twenty (our recruiting platform) and upload your resume to get started. You should complete your Profile in 12twenty by updating your Background tab which contains information about your career experience, skills, preferences and more. Ensuring your Background tab is complete and accurate will greatly improve your chance of being contacted by an organization. Looking to connect with fellow HBS alumni? Upload your resume to the Alumni Networking Resume Book to kick start those connections.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Resume Makeover Using VMock and Aspire 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Gain instant feedback on your resume and LinkedIn Profile

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          VMock is a smart career platform that provides instant personalized feedback on your resume and LinkedIn Profile to help improve aspects like presentation, language, and skills.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          VMock Smart Editor tool will enable you to:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Receive an objective score on your resume based on recruiter criteria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Review line-for-line targeted feedback on your resume
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Re-upload your resume up to 10 times to track improvement

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Resumes: Sections, Templates & Examples

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +–Expected Sections
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Contact details - Let others know who you are and how to get in touch with you. In addition to your name, you should list your mailing address, phone number, and email address. It is expected to be found at the top of the page. No need to include it on additional pages.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Professional history - Start with your most recent role and list in descending chronology. For each role, provide a sentence or two that describes the scope of your responsibility. Then in bullet format, provide accomplishment statements. To write an accomplishment statement, state the problem you encountered, the action you took and the result or impact of your actions. For example, "Led team in implementing a new general ledger package by providing expertise and encouragement, which contributed to a successful, on-time project completion."
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Education - Spell out your degree so it will stand out better. It is not necessary to include your GPA or GMAT score. Do not list courses. Do list any leadership roles or study abroad experiences.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +–Optional Sections
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Summary/Profile - A great opportunity to tell the reader exactly what you want them to know. It should be 3-4 sentences in paragraph form following your contact information. Be careful not to load up on overused resume jargon and avoid listing previous jobs/education as it is redundant. Instead, focus on your branding statement, unique themes in your career path, and skills.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Key skills - Listing your skills is a great way for the reader to quickly evaluate your skill set. List skills that are relevant to your next position. For each skill, you will need a proof statement in the form of an accomplishment stated in the professional experience section. A good way to set up this section is in 2 or 3 columns with 3-4 skills in each column. The heading could be "Key Areas of Expertise" or "Core Competencies".
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Personal/Interests - Only include if it helps tell your story.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Additional roles - If you participate in organizations outside of your professional employment, you may list these in a separate section. Headings are typically "Volunteer Leadership Roles" or "Community Service".
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Licenses and Professional Certifications - If you possess a license or certification, these should be called out in a separate section.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Objective - No longer in style. Do not include in your resume.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • References available upon request - No longer in style. Do not include in your resume.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +–Resume Templates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Zip file of all resume templates (login required)


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Chronological - This is the most commonly used layout. Recommended for a mostly consistent record of employment showing progression/growth from position to position. Not recommended for gaps in employment dates, those out of job market for some time, or changing careers.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Template 1 (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Template 2 (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Template 3 (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Template 4 (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Sample 1: C-Level Resume (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Sample 2: Consulting to Operating Company Resume (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Sample 3: VP with Long Tenure Resume (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Sample 4: Exec. Ed. with Long Tenure Resume (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Sample 5: Financial Services Resume (login required)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Streamlined Chronological - This layout also shows progression from one job to the next, but does not include extra sections such as Summary/Profile or Areas of Expertise. Recommended for recent alumni.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Template: Streamlined Chronological (login required)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Chronological/Functional Hybrid Resume - In this layout, you can highlight your employment history in a straight chronological manner, but also make it immediately clear you have filled a variety of roles that use different but related skill sets. This is useful to provide a few accomplishments in the beginning to show a theme. Each role would also have specific accomplishment statements.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Template: Chronological/Functional Hybrid (login required)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Sample: Accomplishment Focus Resume (login required)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Cover Letter Writing

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          It is essential to send a cover letter with your resume to provide a recruiter with insight into your qualifications, experience, and motivation for seeking a position. The letter also conveys your personal communication style, tone, and professionalism. An effective employment letter should:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Be targeted and personalized
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • State why you are interested in the company
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Explain how you can fill a need
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Convey your enthusiasm about the opportunity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Suggest next steps for communication and action

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Guidelines & Examples

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +–Start with Research

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Investigate your target company. What is the company's "breaking news?" What drives their business? What are their greatest challenges and opportunities? How can you contribute? eBaker can help with your research.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +–The Attention-grabber Approach

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Outline your objectives using relevant information that attracts the attention of the reader.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Salutation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Address the letter to a specific person. Capture the reader's attention and briefly introduce yourself.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Mention the referral/company contact, if applicable. State the purpose of your letter.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Body
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Describe relevant information you discovered about the company.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Discuss the position offered or the position you are looking for.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Detail how your skills will benefit the company.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Closing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Convey your enthusiasm.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Anticipate response.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +–Always Proofread

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Pay close attention to sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation. Always print your letter to check for typographical errors. Have a friend, colleague, or family member review your letter whenever possible.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +–Advice Regarding Employment Gaps

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Cover letters are the place to briefly and directly address the gap in your career. For example, "I am returning to the workforce after a period of raising children." Then address your strengths, qualifications and goals. Emphasize your excitement and preparedness to re-enter the workforce now.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +–Example Letter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Response to Identified Advertisement (pdf)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Branding You

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Whether you’re pursuing your first post-graduate role, switching careers, or returning to the workforce after a period of absence, your job search begins by making a case for…yourself. Learn how to market yourself to potential employers.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Resume Writing Tips 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Creating Visual Impact

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          A concise, visually appealing resume will make a stronger impression than a dense, text-laden document. Respect page margins and properly space the text. Learn to appreciate the value of "white space." Limit a resume to one or two pages but not one and ¼. Ensure content is balanced on both pages. A CV is typically longer because it includes additional sections such as publications and research.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Use Parallel Construction

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Select a consistent order of information, format, and spacing. If one experience starts with a brief overview followed by bullet points, subsequent experiences should follow a similar form. Parallel construction—including the use of action verbs (pdf) (login required) to start all phrases—greatly enhances a resume's readability.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Always Proofread

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Pay close attention to margin alignment, spelling, punctuation, and dates. Read your resume backward to check for typographical errors. (You will focus on individual words, rather than the meaning of the text.) Better yet, have a friend, colleague, or family member review your resume.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Use Action Verbs

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Action Verbs List (login required)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Improve Your Writing

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Writing skills are critical for your career, but start your job search on the right foot by brushing up.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Learn more about writing skills

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Common Questions

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          What is an appropriate length?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          One or two pages for a resume - but not one and 1/4. The content should be balanced on both pages. A CV is typically longer because it includes additional sections such as publications and research.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Should I include internships?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          More recent graduates may want to include internships to enhance their experience. One may also want to include an internship if it was with a "brand name" firm or to illustrate a significant accomplishment.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Should I include graduation dates?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          It is common to include the year of graduation. Not including dates could be seen as a candidate hiding their age. As with many resume decisions, you should do what makes you feel most comfortable.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          How do I deal with a gap in employment?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          If you've taken time away to care for family, accommodate a spouse's or partner's career, or for any other reason, your resume is the place to demonstrate the contribution you can make to an organization's goals. Keep the focus on the value you will bring to the organization and demonstrate how you have kept up-to-date with changes in your industry. Detail is not always necessary. For example, simply stating "Parenting leave" or "Elder Care leave" with dates may suffice. If the leave is extended, describing your role and the skills applied can bring it to relevancy.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Should I include my entire work history; How far do I go back?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The resume is a relevant history. Therefore, older roles that do not contribute to the story can be included without much content (company name and title only). Leaving out early roles to conceal ones age can later be taken as deceptive. Additionally, many people are on to this trick.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          How can I quantify results without using numbers?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Results and impacts do not need to always be in numbers. It may result in improvement in customer satisfaction, increased employee engagement, or adoption of a new policy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Past Program Resources 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          How to Build a Resume that Stands Above the Competition

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Jill Huggett
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Jill Huggett
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          It's no secret that your resume is critical to landing the job you deserve. You need to ensure it reflects your messaging and distinguishes you from the competition. Jill Huggett, Certified Professional Resume Writer and career coach, shares insights and tips to get your resume into the best shape ever.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          It's no secret that your resume is critical to landing the job you deserve. You need to ensure it reflects your messaging and distinguishes you from the competition. Jill Huggett, Certified Professional Resume Writer and career coach, shares insights and tips to get your resume into the best shape ever.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Leverage LinkedIn

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool. We have resources to ensure you are putting your best foot forward.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Learn more about LinkedIn
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