Resumes of the Rich and Famous: Elon Musk Edition

Space X. Paypal. Tesla Motors. When you hear Elon Musk’s name, success is a word that comes to mind. His perseverance across continents and global workspaces has gained him more recognition than ever imagined. But even the most high-profile success stories can all be traced back to a single piece of paper: the resume.

How does someone who has as much success as Elon Musk condense his worldly experience onto a single page? One approach is that “less is more.” By culling down his experience to the achievements that made him the leader he is today, his experience speaks for itself. No nitty-gritty details are needed, only the leading milestones.

Musk has been a key player across industries like solar technology, automotive, and space travel where his ideas have pushed the limits. He has woven in and out of various roles that have made him a pioneer of the 21st century. From the classroom to the corporate world, his hard work and tenacity can’t be overlooked — especially not on a resume.

Created by Novoresume, this resume breeds simplicity and packs a powerful punch.

Notice how Musk’s achievements are summed up into effective sentences, along with his skills and competencies addressed on the right. A summary statement at the top next to a recent headshot makes this resume feel like you already know him. So, what’s the secret to producing a great resume like his?

For starters, ponder on the fact that Musk doesn’t see a use for managerial positions in a resume and agrees that resumes should never be more than a page long. Before you put your pen to paper, recall what the greatest accomplishments in your career have been and your value-add to those career chapters.

Once you are clear there, you can begin the resume writing process. Here are a few steps to guide you to greatness.

 

Step 1: Highlight Accomplishments Vs. Responsibilities

Delivering results is the name of the game in any industry, and the more you can do to communicate your impact — the better. Showcase project results that made you the leader you are today. Any way that you helped a company move forward, speak to it.

Step 2: Craft a Resume Summary That Speaks Volumes

Let your passion for your career light a spark in you that translates across words. Make every recruiter who reads this know what you can do for their bottom line. As you write, think of this short paragraph as a bridge to your long-term career goals.

Step 3: Practice the ‘Six Seconds or Less’ Rule

Recruiters only spend about six seconds with a resume — or less. Don’t let yours be the one that slips away when they are looking to fill an executive role. When they look at your resume, they’ll focus on the big picture details like titles, dates, and skills. Not to worry, once your resume makes it past this round, the recruiters will review your resume more in-depth.

Bonus Tip: Choose a resume template that makes your accomplishments shine.

Final Thoughts

In January 2021, Musk surpassed Jeff Bezos with a net worth of $209 billion, making him the richest person in the world. While now he’ll have another accomplishment to add to his resume, this shows that success without boundaries is possible. And even better, it can fit on the single page of a resume — accomplishments and all.