How do you craft a resume that showcases your vision and purpose?

1 Define your vision and purpose

Before you start writing your resume, you need to have a clear idea of what your vision and purpose are. Your vision is your long-term goal or aspiration, while your purpose is your reason or motivation for pursuing it. Think about what drives you, what inspires you, and what impact you want to have. Write down your vision and purpose in one or two sentences, and use them as a guide for the rest of your resume.

2 Highlight your achievements and impact

Your resume should demonstrate how you have pursued your vision and purpose through your work, education, or volunteer activities. Instead of just listing your responsibilities or tasks, focus on your achievements and impact. Use quantifiable metrics, such as numbers, percentages, or awards, to show how you have contributed to positive change. For example, instead of saying "managed a team of 10 people", say "led a team of 10 people to increase sales by 25% in six months".

3 Align your skills and values

Your resume should also show how your skills and values align with your vision and purpose. Your skills are the abilities or competencies that you have developed or learned, while your values are the principles or beliefs that guide your actions and decisions. Identify the skills and values that are relevant to your vision and purpose, and highlight them in your resume. For example, if your vision is to promote social justice, you might emphasize your skills in communication, advocacy, or research, and your values of diversity, equity, or inclusion.

4 Customize your resume for each opportunity

Your resume should not be a one-size-fits-all document. You should customize it for each opportunity that you apply for, based on the requirements, expectations, and culture of the employer or organization. Research the employer or organization, and tailor your resume to match their needs and goals. Use keywords and phrases that reflect their vision and purpose, and show how you can help them achieve them. For example, if you are applying for a leadership role in a nonprofit organization, you might use words like "mission-driven", "collaborative", or "innovative" in your resume.

5 Use a clear and concise format

Your resume should be easy to read and understand. Use a clear and concise format that highlights your vision and purpose, achievements and impact, skills and values, and customization. Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and white space to organize your information and make it stand out. Use a professional font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and a font size between 10 and 12 points. Keep your resume to one or two pages, depending on your level of experience and the type of opportunity.

6 Proofread and edit your resume

Your resume should be free of errors and inconsistencies. Proofread and edit your resume carefully, and check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting mistakes. Use a tool like Grammarly or Hemingway to help you improve your writing quality and clarity. Ask a friend, colleague, or mentor to review your resume and give you feedback. Make sure your resume is accurate, honest, and up to date.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?