If Endorsements Work on LinkedIn Why Wouldnt They Work on Resumes

If Endorsements Work on LinkedIn Why Wouldnt They Work on Resumes Sometimes when I write a resume for a client, I include an excerpt from the performance review as a strategy to better market the client. Occasionally when I use this technique, I get some push back from clients. The response is often, Ive never seen that on a resume before; is that common?No, its not. Because most people who write their own resumes dont include testimonials. Because they have spent years reading other peoples poorly-written, cookie-cutter resumes and they assume that what they see over and over again is the correct way to do it. But one of the main goals of an effective resume is to stand out as a unique candidate with a compelling message of value. Trying to look like everyone else has never been a great marketing strategy. Here are some other reasons why it makes a lot of sense to include a testimonial on a resume.Many hiring managers and recruiters read endorsements on LinkedIn profiles. Why wouldnt they want to read one on your resume? Endorsements can influenc e how your LinkedIn profile is perceived. Recruiters can even organize candidate profiles based on the number of recommendations a person has. Generally speaking, on LinkedIn a handful of recommendations is better than none and if no recommendations are present, the hiring authority may wonder why. Many hiring managers value endorsementsso it shouldnt matter whether they find them on LinkedIn or on the actual resume.The opinions of others can elevate your candidacy. Its one thing to communicate your achievements on a resume. Its another thing to have a third party validate those achievements. Most people ask their friends about products and services before making a purchase. Hiring managers prefer candidates that have been vetted by others. Testimonials on resumes can help instill buyer confidence in job candidates.The testimonial can capture a personal nuance about a person without being cliche. Sometimes the testimonial is the perfect way to convey that you are a dedicated, hard-w orking person of integrity without using those overused phrases on the resume.Obviously, the selection of testimonials needs to be handled with care. Joe is a smart, hardworking guy wont cut it. But if the testimonial reads Joe worked diligently to appeal to all stakeholders to bring a stalled IT project in on time and $500K under budget. a hiring authority is bound to believe that Joe is the type of candidate that can build consensus and get things done. Find a cheerleader, get a compelling quote from him, and add it to your resume to build trust and rapport with the hiring authority. The testimonial may help get you in the yes pile faster than you think.