You know that your resume is such an important piece to finding a job. It tells your professional story in one succinct document. Even though it’s professional, it can still be creative, as long as it’s done well. Moving away from the traditional format, some job seekers are interested in using a storytelling resume to showcase their creativity and stand out in the large stack of applicants.
What is a Storytelling Resume?
It’s OK to be a bit skeptical of straying away from the traditional format, but a well-done storytelling resume isn’t as crazy as it might sound. It adds a bit of a narrative approach during the work history and experience sections while keeping bulleted lists for the education and skills section. This allows for a balance between the narrative approach and allowing for the appealing aesthetic of white space.
This format allows for a unique way to connect with the employer while still including all the important details that’s necessary for an eye-catching resume.
How to Write a Storytelling Resume
Here are the six steps and sections to include in your storytelling resume to stand out and tell your professional story.
The Header Section
First, create a headline. This should act like the title of a book. It will include your name, in large bold font to capture the recruiter’s attention. Your personal brand statement is a short blurb that will directly follow, and it should characterize who you are as a professional and what the employer can expect from you working at their office. Your personal brand statement can showcase a bit of your personality and should always be authentic to who you are. The header section should also include your basic contact information.
Your Career Summary
Immediately following the header section, this section should be written in paragraph form, and should read like a narrative. You will use the basic storytelling features like:
- Setting
- Conflict
- Plot
- Resolution
This section provides the opportunity for you to be engaging and compelling. Do your best to let the recruiter know who you are and how you got to be in the position you are in today.
Educational Experience
This section of your resume should be done traditionally with a bulleted list of educational experiences and credentials. Use this to include certifications and licenses as well. The bulleted list gives the recruiter straightforward information and provides white space which is not only aesthetically pleasing but provides for some easy reading.
Work Experience to Show Progress
Following your educational experience, your work experience section should be broken up into the most relevant job roles. Include the company, position title, and time spent in the role. For each role you list, in this storytelling resume, you have the chance to show how you approach and overcome challenges. You can also show how your unique personality traits positively impact the team and company goals.
One way to do this is to have two sections for each job position. How it Started and How it Ended or Challenges and Outcomes are two options you may decide to use. Beneath each section, you can write a small blurb in complete sentences rather than bullet points that describe how you added value to the role and company and grew as a professional.
Finally, List Your Skills
This last section of your storytelling resume will go back to a bulleted list of skills. Here, you may choose to separate skills into categories like technical skills and interpersonal skills. Use measurable and actionable language as much as possible but also succinctly. This will also provide additional white space.
Before you submit this fresh approach to the traditional resume, be sure to review and edit.
Get Noticed for the Right Job
Reach out to Axiom Staffing Group for help finding the right job.
