Create Credibility with a Resume Toolkit

Create credibility with a resume toolkit to shorten your job search. Building a resume toolkit will help you create and establish your credibility and get the position you are looking for. Sometimes it takes more than just the resume and cover letter.

Prospective employers may need more documents to convince them that you are the right person for the job. This is a collection of documents that show your credibility and professionalism. Here’s a list of some of the items to incorporate in your job search toolkit:

Resume

A strategic resume will catch the eye of the reader immediately. Included in it should be a list of achievements that show what you can and will accomplish if they hire you. You will want to use a format that can be adjusted or edited to fit each different position you apply for.

Cover Letter:

A cover letter is your way of introducing yourself. You will want it to be simple and to the point. No one wants to read a long, drawn-out story with a lot of fluff. Be detailed on what position you are applying for and why you think you qualify for that position. Make it brief and concise. Include items that will make the reader interested in looking over the details of your resume.

Your Bio

You will want to make this a one-page document that describes your career highlights and goals in the form of narration. Make it easy to read, and save it in a format that you can easily print or e-mail to prospective employers. If you are involved in a panel interview, then you can use this as a handout at that interview.

LinkedIn Profile

A LinkedIn profile shows your professionalism and is a good tool to demonstrate your credibility, initiative, and expertise. It is a way to make yourself known to peers, recruiters, and employers. This is one of the first things your e-contacts will see.

Key Initiatives:

This is a listing of your achievements, formatted in an easy-to-read style that is interesting yet highlights all of your major accomplishments during your past career.

You can include small inserts of some of the challenges you had at other jobs, how you overcame them, and how you made them work for you. You can also include small bits of information relating to awards, recognitions, and certificates you may have received for things you did that improved the company.

Networking Letter

This is essential if you are using a form of networking in looking for that new job.  You can use this as the icebreaker to get you an interview. Write a well-worded letter on what you want to do with your career and your attributes, accomplishments, training, and schooling.

Use a format that you can easily edit. Reformat or rewrite this letter and use it as an additional cover letter.

What other tips can you give to fellow job seekers that have worked well for you? Comment and share below! If you need help with any of the items above, reach out to Candace to learn more!