What two questions should a resume always answer?

1.  What are your responsibilities?  (What do you do?)

Consumer products is a fact-based industry and very analytical whether you are in sales, supply chain, marketing or (especially) category management.  Therefore, it’s essential to go into detail about what you do: the accounts you manage, the data tools you’ve used, sales volume, number of SKUs etc.  Don’t be afraid to give details – the individuals reviewing your resume are hoping you’ll give them enough information to show you are qualified for their opportunity.

2.  What are your accomplishments and achievements?  (Are you any good at what you do?)

If you are in sales, have you increased sales or the number of items?  If you’re in supply chain, have you made processes more efficient, cut costs or fixed recurring problems?  In category management, have you helped the category grow in sales, and what strategies did you implement to help grow the category?

The bottom line is that resumes should proactively answer questions, not raise questions.

If you leave pertinent information off your resume and leave basic questions unanswered, your resume is far more likely to be set aside… and forgotten.