It’s been said that the average recruiter spends ten seconds reviewing each resume they receive, mercilessly judging candidates on everything from their location and resume style to the length of time between relevant experiences for the position. Quite often, candidates are eliminated before they even reach the critical stage of selling themselves in a one-on-one setting. How, then, does the average job seeker get their resume past the initial cut and through to the interview stage? Obviously, resume writing tips and online resume tools, each with competing philosophies, are a dime a dozen. However, these proven tips will allow you to maintain the integrity of your resume writing while also developing a virtual relationship with recruiters that can mean the difference between an extended interview process and continued unemployment:
It’s not about you
Learning how to write a resume starts and ends with this important realization. Strange as it may seem, the very process that determines your livelihood and career trajectory has almost nothing to do with you. Maintaining a strict one-note personal message across all job seeking materials you create no longer has a place in the job hunt. Evaluate the company’s client base, determine its methods for client interaction and return on investment, and develop a key set of phrases and personal objectives that envelop a company’s ethos. Jobs are not won with a tailored resume, but they can be lost (particularly in the age of electronic resume analyzers that screen by keyword). Assessing a company’s needs and responding appropriately in your written communications is the first step to a successful hunt.
Transparency is key
If you’re like most job seekers, you’ve probably experimented with functional resume writing, a newer form of CV that provides a personal summary followed by experience highlights (generally not specific to a particular job) and a brief employment history. While this form of resume is the current “it” trend in resume writing, there are still many recruiters that feel the utilization of such a resume tool is an attempt on the part of the job seeker to hide an unsavory nugget from their past employment. Your best bet is likely a functional hybrid, one that still includes a short executive summary but also expands on your specific employment history with relevant examples listed by employer, all in an effort to avoid an evasive tone. Even if you plan to keep your resume more traditional, remaining honest about your abilities and experience can save hiring managers time and make you less likely to lose morale during your search.
Manage resume length
The recruiter’s job is more difficult than ever today, as they’re forced to weed through hundreds of resumes, many of which are grossly inappropriate for the position, while trying to fill a single job. Managing the length of your resume can go a long way to winning the heart of a recruiter. Perhaps share your resume with a close friend or relative to get an outsider’s perspective.
It’s especially important to practice efficient online resume writing technique, as many assume that an infinite amount of information is acceptable because it’s, well, online. At the very least, migrate past writing samples to an archived section to maintain a professional online resume.
Know when to cull outdated information (they don’t need to hear about your Miss Congeniality win in your college sorority when you have 10 years of professional experience). Reduce your experiences at other positions to more general terms to allow for a greater focus on your most recent job. Finally, avoid listing awards unless they’re industry specific; a victory in a hot dog eating contest, while enviable, is unnecessary in a professional resume. Above all, make it a pleasant experience for the recruiters by showing them that you know how to write a resume.
When changing careers, keep your expectations realistic Making any kind of career shift, particularly in this economy, is a risky proposition. One major failing of job seekers attempting to do just that is their unrealistic compensation requirements. If given the choice, employers will likely utilize in-house talent for managerial positions as opposed to industry vets looking for a transition from a commensurate position across industries; this seems especially prevalent now as journalists attempt to shift en masse to public relations careers. While searching, remain proactive about building your experience in your new industry (perhaps volunteering for a non-profit organization that requires your services), join networking organizations that offer periodic networking seminars, resume building help, and occasional panels, and remain optimistic that your interim actions can only augment your future career.
