This document discusses how to write a resume that tells a story about your career experiences and accomplishments. It recommends focusing on key areas like an executive summary and bullet points to highlight your story and progression. Examples are provided of weaker versus stronger storytelling approaches. The document also outlines the services provided by Ivy Exec resume writers to help craft a resume that strategically conveys your career narrative.

1. Writing A Resume That Tells A Story
Nii Ato Bentsi-Enchill,
Resume and Coaching Services Manager, Ivy Exec
Want more info? Go to IvyExec.com
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2. About Nii Ato
•
Manager of Resume and Coaching Services at Ivy
Exec
•
Master of Arts & Master of Education degrees in
Psychological Counseling from Teachers College,
Columbia University
•
Career Coach at Careerfolk
Executive Search Associate at Isaacson, Miller
HR Analyst at Merrill Lynch
•
Specialties:
• Career Coaching
• Career Development
• Career Assessment
(MBTI, Strong, Values,
Accomplishments)
• Job Search (via social
media)
• Personal Branding
• Resume Writing
Want more info? Go to IvyExec.com/Resume or email us at Resumes@ivyexec.com
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3. Outline
 Poll
Question
 Importance
of “Telling Your Story”
 Why it matters
 When to do it
 Areas
on your resume to focus on
 Examples
Q
of good “story telling” / Before and Afters
&A
Want more info? Go to IvyExec.com/Resume or email us at Resumes@ivyexec.com
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4. Poll Question:
What is John’s target position?
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5. What’s In A Story?
 What
is your story?
Beginning, development, pinnacle, which is your most recent job
Progressive development of experiences
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6. Telling Your Story: Why It Matters
 People
 Show
remember stories not just descriptions of your job duties
the reader you’re a compelling candidate
 The
seamless story of your accomplishments, so they don’t have to fill in
blanks themselves
 Give
 “If
the reader an understanding your personal brand and unique value
it’s not on paper, the reader doesn’t know it”
Want more info? Go to IvyExec.com/Resume or email us at Resumes@ivyexec.com
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7. Telling Your Story: When to do it
 Always
important, but especially in these situations:
You have a diverse background
You are transitioning function or industries
You took a sabbatical
You are seeking a promotion/more senior role
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8. Areas of Your Resume to Focus On
Executive Summary/Top 3 rd
Avoid clichéd language. EX: “results driven”, “proven track record”,
“successful”
If doing a headline, use the title of the job you’re applying for. It doesn’t
matter if that’s not what your current position is.
Focus on results. EX: Present at a high-level one of your achievements.
Keep it to 3-5 lines, otherwise the reader won’t finish it.
Bullet Points
Streamline
Should
towards your goal position/brand
celebrate your acheivements
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9. Sample Summary/Profile
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10. Writing Strong Bullet Points
Use strong/positive
words
Avoid
Revamped
Helped
Championed
Coordinated
Led/Managed
Assisted
Developed
Proven track record
Implemented
Turned around
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11. What Do Accomplishment Stories Look Like?
 Projects
you led: discuss scope, scale, time-frame, budget, obstacles –
successful outcome
 Improvements
over time: process improvements; annual %
increases/decreases; efficiency, etc.
 Results/benefits
speaking to KPIs or the company bottom line (did you
mamke or save money?) (Quantify where possible)
 “Selected
to”
 “First-ever”/
 Grew
“Created new…”
revenues x% OR from $X to $Y (if figures can be disclosed)
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12. Bad “Story Telling”
 “John
Mertz”: John wanted to go from being viewed as a mid-level manager to
someone capable of taking on VP or Sr. Director roles in strategic capacities.”
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13. Good “Story Telling”
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14. The Ivy Exec Senior Resume Writers
Staci Collins
specializes in making visible the invisible accomplishments of especially technical career
changers. She has over 15 years of partnering with 1100 executives, directors and senior
managers to achieve their career goals. She has consulted in change and coached 60+ senior
managers at Accenture and Ernst & Young, many now partners. She earned her MBA at
University of California - Haas and BA at Harvard.
Laura Hill
is an expert in designing career strategies and job search campaigns. Her industry experience
includes 10 years as a career/outplacement coach and recruiter, as well as 10 years in banking
with JPM Chase. She has been published in The New York Times, The WSJ, and Forbes, and
has been a featured expert on CNBC's The Wall Street Journal Report .
Liz Colodny
has held leadership roles in talent acquisition/staffing across many industries, ranging from
consumer products (PepsiCo) to professional services (Towers Perrin) and financial services
(Citigroup). She received her BA from the University of Chicago and MBA from Northwestern Kellogg.
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Want more info? Go to IvyExec.com/Resume or email us at Resumes@ivyexec.com

15. The Ivy Exec Elite Resume Package
The Elite Package is a comprehensive evaluation of your career and
accomplishments which includes a career diagnostic, a fully rewritten resume
and a coaching session focused on overcoming any professional roadblocks.
In-depth
intake session with your certified senior resume writer
Gain valuable insight on how to articulate your skills and accomplishments
when interviewing
A finalized and re-written resume
An enhanced Ivy Exec profile & 3 months of All Access membership
A full hour of Career Coaching (which can be used for a cover letter)
To set up a 15 minute appointment to inquire about next steps, please email
resumes@ivyexec.com or go to http://bit.ly/16x59UH
Want more info? Go to IvyExec.com/Resume or email us at Resumes@ivyexec.com
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16. Thank you!
To book a 15 minute appointment
with me to go over your resume, please
go to http://bit.ly/16x59UH or email us at
Resumes@ivyexec.com
For more information, visit
www.ivyexec.com/resume
Want more info? Go to IvyExec.com/Resume or email us at Resumes@ivyexec.com
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