Social proof will be your job search superpower! When you’ve learn my earlier put up on utilizing testimonials in your resume, you’ve found {that a} properly chosen LinkedIn suggestion, buyer kudo or glowing quote from a efficiency analysis can enhance the attraction and credibility of your resume.
Right here’s an extra innovation: the blurb block.
Why You Would possibly Want a Blurb Block
Within the earlier put up I confirmed an instance that appears like this:
“Judith is a consummate Human Assets skilled … She typically got here to me and requested ‘How can I make this course of work higher for you?’ She’s an extremely collaborative colleague. I extremely advocate Judith.” – Steven Sanchez, Director of Payroll, Multinational Advertising, Inc. (LinkedIn suggestion)
That is nice, however it takes up plenty of house for one quote. That’s wonderful if it’s the one one you’re together with within the resume, however what when you’ve got a number of? Packing extra worth right into a small house is one among a number of the explanation why you would possibly need to use what I name a “blurb block.”
Instance
A blurb block, together with its heading, would possibly appear to be this.
Highlights of LinkedIn Suggestions (or Excerpts from Efficiency Critiques, or Buyer Kudos or different heading)
“Kris’s modern concepts and upbeat character make him a useful useful resource to the entire crew.” | “Inventive and passionately motivated.” | “Very robust technically. His code is at all times properly thought-out, elegant and consumer pleasant.” | “Exceptionally devoted.” | “Beneficiant in sharing his data . . . and discovering methods to scale that data for optimum profit.” | “Sensible work.” | https://linkedin.com/in/kris.x.wu
(Omit the URL when you’ve included it elsewhere within the resume, or if not all of the quotes are from LinkedIn.)
Extra Causes to Use a Blurb Block
Together with saving house, there are different causes to make use of this format, corresponding to when the quotes themselves are extra spectacular than the roles of the individuals who gave them. I typically see profiles during which all or many of the suggestions are from friends relatively than higher-ups. This can be a method to spotlight these with out making it apparent you don’t have suggestions out of your bosses.
This method can be helpful when you may have very lengthy testimonials that may be more practical as a number of bite-sized chunks, just like the two- and four-word quotes I used within the instance.
The place It Goes
I prefer to put the block within the resume’s abstract, the place it’s arduous to overlook. It normally seems to be greatest on the finish of that part.
Constructing the Block
Along with quotes that speak about your role-specific abilities, you must also embrace feedback about smooth abilities and character. Traits like these within the instance above–e.g., upbeat, motivated–are a lot wanted, however will be arduous to reveal in a resume; you want social proof.
Alternate longer and shorter quotes. Mess around with the order, see what works greatest for you. Be sure to begin and finish with very robust kudos.
To make the blurbs pop much more, you possibly can spotlight some transient phrases in boldface kind, like this:
“Kris’s modern concepts and upbeat character make him a useful useful resource to the entire crew.” | “Inventive and passionately motivated.” | “Very robust technically. His code is at all times properly thought-out, elegant and consumer pleasant.” | “Exceptionally devoted.” | “Beneficiant in sharing his data . . . and discovering methods to scale that data for optimum profit.” | “Sensible work.” | https://linkedin.com/in/kris.x.wu
The Blurb Block is a extremely readable, space-saving method to take advantage of these a number of testimonials. Right here’s the one hitch: you possibly can’t use testimonials in your resume when you don’t have them. So learn my put up about getting LinkedIn suggestions. Your resume will get higher outcomes when it exhibits different folks vouching for you!
(This put up has been up to date in 2025.)
