A quick presentation and exercise to help you focus on your strengths, character and accomplishments to best tell your story when building a resume, LinkedIn profile or web presence. Introducing the concepts of cleavage and frosting as approaches to getting ahead.

1. A B O U T G E T T I N G A H E A D
T W O T H I N G S Y O U N E V E R H E A R D

2. W H O A R E Y O U P E O P L E ?

3. W H Y I S T H I S A H O T T O P I C F O R M E ?

4. T H E T R U T H

5. C A R E E R - R E L AT E D
S K I L L S !

7. F R O S T I N G ! ! !
• What’s your frosting?
• Accomplishments & Character
• Differentiate yourself authentically, TELL YOUR STORY.
• What do you ASPIRE to?

8. E X E R C I S E S 1 , 2 & 3
A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S , C H A R A C T E R
A N D S K I L L S
• P e r s o n a l
• E x t r a c u r r i c u l a r
• P ro f e s s i o n a l
• E d u c a t i o n a l

9. R E S U M E , C O V E R L E T T E R , B L A H , B L A H ,
B L A H

10. L E T ’ S P U T T H E F U N I N F U N C T I O N A L
R E S U M E S C O M E I N M A N Y F L AV O R S :
C H R O N O L O G I C A L
F U N C T I O N A L
S P E C I A L I Z E D
W H AT W O R K S B E S T F O R Y O U ?

11. D E V I AT I N G F R O M T H E C O D E O F
C O N D U C T…
Y O U R R E S U M E S H O U L D H AV E
C L E AVA G E !

12. R E S U M E A E S T H E T I C S
• Work well with designers? Prove it. Have one design
your resume. Be able to discuss the process.
• Clean code? Clean hierarchy of information on your
resume.
• Make subtle references to hobbies or interests…
• Above ALL else, be sure it’s well executed

13. L E T O T H E R S T O O T Y O U R H O R N
• Everyone says it better than you. Use testimonials
from former employers, clients and colleagues.
• Use LinkedIn testimonials, MeetUp comments &
solicit letters of recommendation.

14. • Is it OK to describe, via bullet point, the work
you did in your last job? When isn’t it OK?

15. M I N I M U M E X P E C TAT I O N S V S .
A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S
• K N O W Y O U R A U D I E N C E
• F O C U S O N A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S
• Q U A N T I F Y
• S T O RY T E L L

16. • aspirational
• organized
• customized
• researched & well-prepared
• evolved & error free

17. I T ’ S Y O U R J O B T O L O S E
• Be unapologetically yourself.
• Figure out your ROI to the organization,
ARTICULATE IT.
• Ask questions, throughout entire interview. Tough
ones, real ones. Need help? Google it.

18. R O C K Y O U R Q U E S T F O R A G R E AT G I G
• Career resources abound
• Solicit the help of your network
• KNOW YOUR STORY, TELL IT!

19. N O W, G O G E T I T !