Rainfield Group -- Sales Transformation

Writing a Resume for Maximum Impact

Check for spelling, grammatical errors, and employment start and end dates. Don't rely only on your computer's spell checker as many titles and companies are not recognized in these programs. Misspelled words and other errors reflect poorly on writers and their attention to detail.
List specific achievements and highlights under the company where they occurred, not at the end or beginning of the resume.
Clarify unusual titles. Be sure that the reader can easily understand your duties. Many titles in recent years have become less clear-cut. Business Development vs. Sales? Be sure to indicate which role you are seeking and which type of role you served in your previous organizations. Sales positions almost always carry a specific quota. Business Development roles are often more strategic with success measured by Management by Objectives (MBOs).

Working with an Executive Recruiter

Select your recruiter by area of expertise and industry focus.
Build a relationship with a recruiter before you NEED a new job.
Call and send your resume. SELL YOURSELF.
Executive Recruiters work for the client company and are not placement agencies.
Meet face-to-face with your recruiter. This will help him or her represent you more effectively to the client companies.

Meeting with an Executive Recruiter

Treat the meeting as if you were interviewing for a job with a company.
Be prepared to outline your desired career path. Be specific.
Be familiar with your resume and make sure it is error free.
Consider a brief “elevator pitch” about yourself.

Preparing for an Interview with a Client Company of a Recruiting Firm

Ask for a specific description of the role for which you are being recommended.
Map your experience directly against the needs of the company.
Study the client Website.
Conduct a general Internet search for additional background information on the company and key players.

First Impression

Wear a suit (unless specifically instructed otherwise).
Be conservative.
Minimize accessories.
Make solid eye-contact upon introduction.
Be friendly and display open body language.

The Interview

Confirm the role for which the company is hiring. (“What can you tell me about what you are looking for in a candidate for this position?”)
Clarify your understanding of the company's needs.
Map your experience directly to the needs that the interviewer has mentioned.
Clarify the hiring process.
Go for the close. Either ask for the job or ask for the next meeting.

Follow-up

Set yourself apart from the competition. Send a handwritten note to each person with whom you interviewed.
Follow-up with the recruiter for debriefing. Be specific about your interest level.
Continue to follow-up with both the recruiter and hiring company in accordance with the stated hiring process.

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	Writing a Resume for Maximum Impact Check for spelling, grammatical errors, and employment start and end dates. Don't rely only on your computer's spell checker as many titles and companies are not recognized in these programs. Misspelled words and other errors reflect poorly on writers and their attention to detail. List specific achievements and highlights under the company where they occurred, not at the end or beginning of the resume. Clarify unusual titles. Be sure that the reader can easily understand your duties. Many titles in recent years have become less clear-cut. Business Development vs. Sales? Be sure to indicate which role you are seeking and which type of role you served in your previous organizations. Sales positions almost always carry a specific quota. Business Development roles are often more strategic with success measured by Management by Objectives (MBOs). Back to Top Working with an Executive Recruiter Select your recruiter by area of expertise and industry focus. Build a relationship with a recruiter before you NEED a new job. Call and send your resume. SELL YOURSELF. Executive Recruiters work for the client company and are not placement agencies. Meet face-to-face with your recruiter. This will help him or her represent you more effectively to the client companies. Back to Top Meeting with an Executive Recruiter Treat the meeting as if you were interviewing for a job with a company. Be prepared to outline your desired career path. Be specific. Be familiar with your resume and make sure it is error free. Consider a brief “elevator pitch” about yourself. Back to Top Preparing for an Interview with a Client Company of a Recruiting Firm Ask for a specific description of the role for which you are being recommended. Map your experience directly against the needs of the company. Study the client Website. Conduct a general Internet search for additional background information on the company and key players. Back to Top First Impression Wear a suit (unless specifically instructed otherwise). Be conservative. Minimize accessories. Make solid eye-contact upon introduction. Be friendly and display open body language. Back to Top The Interview Confirm the role for which the company is hiring. (“What can you tell me about what you are looking for in a candidate for this position?”) Clarify your understanding of the company's needs. Map your experience directly to the needs that the interviewer has mentioned. Clarify the hiring process. Go for the close. Either ask for the job or ask for the next meeting. Back to Top Follow-up Set yourself apart from the competition. Send a handwritten note to each person with whom you interviewed. Follow-up with the recruiter for debriefing. Be specific about your interest level. Continue to follow-up with both the recruiter and hiring company in accordance with the stated hiring process. Back to Top	Tips for Candidates Resume Writing for Maximum Impact Working with an Executive Recruiter Meeting with an Executive Recruiter Preparing for an Interview First Impression The Interview Follow-up Click here for Sample Resume Template 2070 Chain Bridge Rd Suite 150 Vienna VA 22182 P: 703-356-0240 F: 703-356-6930