Begin with key words
Every
company’s application process is unique, but they’re all designed to
search for specific keywords. “The more times you use these keywords,
the more qualified you shall be assumed to be,” says Dan Goodman,
president of the résumé writing service About Jobs. So, how do you know
which terms to use? Easy breezy — comb the job description posted for
the job and pull out any buzz words or phrases that are specific to the
vocation you’re applying for. These are usually mentioned more than
once. For instance, if you see the word “management” scattered
throughout the description, make sure you play up your managerial skills
in every section of your resume. By the way, you might be inclined to
open up a thesaurus and start looking up synonyms in its place but
please, hold the urge — overdoing it can backfire. This goes for
software requirements, too. If the job demands that you be proficient in
PhotoShop, then make sure you mention your competence of the programme
under every relevant position you’ve held in the past, not just your
current one.
Address time gaps
Repeat
after me — I shall not skip over the time I spent in between jobs. You
might not realise but doing so might end up penalising you in the
criteria ratings, suggests Goodman. Employers prefer hiring staff that
thrives on consistency, and extended, unexplained time gaps between jobs
signify truancy and a lack of commitment. Just as you would list your
past jobs in reverse chronological order, include your time gaps. For
instance, mention in there that the few months or so that you were on a
sabbatical, you were attending to urgent family matters; now fully
resolved. If you switched careers for a bit, put it in the best possible
way (think: seized entrepreneurial opportunities to do X, Y, and Z). If
you gained any relevant skills during this time, like financial
monitoring or working as an editor, add them in. But if they aren’t
relevant, don’t force them, Goodman recommends.
Make a big promise, prove you can deliver
Keep
in mind; you have about six seconds to catch the hiring manager’s eye,
according to research. Since the first quarter-page of your résumé is
the prime area of interest, use it to make what Goodman calls a “value
proposition.” Describe how you can give hiring managers exactly what
they want, and provide evidence that you’ve done it before. Is the
company looking for a sales associate with brilliant client
relationships? Answer their call right off the bat and make sure to dive
into specifics, such as a particular award or opportunity you scored
for outstanding business dealings. In the past, you may have saved this
info for your cover letter. But if you want to make an impact right
away, set yourself apart from the other candidates, mention it in a
sentence or two on your resume, as well. Just make sure you keep the
language short, straightforward and easy to read.
High point your accomplishments
You’ve
publicised your value already but now, you need to back it all up. “The
first thing an employer is looking for is a proven performer,” says
Goodman, who has penned résumés for some of the top-level executives
globally. Do more than just write up a job description underneath each
of your past roles. Make sure to pinpoint your strengths. Goodman
recommends you do this in two to four bullet points — no more. It’s easy
to seem like you’re trying too hard, so be cautious — you never ever
want to give an impression of that. Be as specific as possible though,
especially when it comes to using metrics. There’s a big difference
between a manager who hits 100 % of a quota, and a guy who hits 137 %,
Goodman says.
Let your numbers (or boss) brag for you
Résumés
are a lot like filling out performance evaluations, Goodman explains.
You’re basically specifying why you’re good at this job and how you
achieved goals and standards set by higher-ups and important people. Tap
your last few evaluations for any solid numbers you forgot to include
on your résumé. Or, even better — have your current or former boss
(hopefully, you’re on good terms with them!) write you a rave review or
recommendation. Just make sure you only provide a recommendation letter
from a person you would be comfortable with the hiring manager calling.
“On one CFO’s résumé, for example, we included a powerful quote from his
CEO saying, ‘Best financial management I’ve had in 30 years’,” Goodman
says. That speaks as well as any number.
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