Sometimes hiring managers and recruiters find a phrase occurring again and again in every resume they see. One example is “subject matter expert (SME).”
Common phrases like that are easy to write but may be more difficult to prove—and recruiters and hiring managers expect proof. For example, you could simply write “team player” in your resume; but it is far better to describe your actual contribution to a team and the benefit to the company. You could write that you are “customer-centric,” but it is far better to give an example where you put the customer first, resolved a customer problem, or effected a change that improved customer satisfaction.
If you consider yourself a subject matter expert in any field, then you should be able to back up that claim in your resume using at least some of the following criteria:
- You may have acquired and maintain SME status through education, training, experience, membership in leading organizations, or leadership of innovative projects. Can you describe your efforts?
- Other people turn to an SME for guidance and information. Can you describe a time when that happened and the results?
- SMEs are often asked to speak about their expertise in front of industry and other groups. Can you list your speaking engagements?
- SMEs are usually published in internal or external, online or print publications. Can you list the publications where your articles appeared, or your name was cited as an expert?
- SMEs often win awards or accolades. Can you list them or provide a relevant testimonial?
Common phrases like a subject matter expert or team player or customer-centric lose their value over time because recruiters and hiring managers see them so often in resumes. As a professional resume writer, I know how to convey the true meaning behind those phrases by concentrating on achievements and supporting every claim.
Are you truly a subject matter expert? Let Robin’s Resumes® explain how and why in a way that will make hiring managers and recruiters eager to find out more. Contact me today.