Are resumes still crucial in today’s job market? Can your resume truly make a difference when it comes to securing employment opportunities or earning promotions? Understanding what should be included in a resume and what hiring managers seek is vital for job seekers. In this article, I will share essential dos and don’ts to help you craft a compelling resume that stands out.
I have reviewed hundreds of resumes in my previous career with the federal government, and it can be a tedious task to scan through hundreds of words in search of that one clue as to who the individual behind the words really is. As I quickly scanned through each document, I looked for key signs that would indicate whether the person might be of interest for an interview.
It’s truly amazing what can be gleaned from a quick scan of a person’s resume. On the flip side, I also looked for red flags that would raise concerns about a candidate. So, how can you write your resume to improve your chances of getting noticed and avoid those red flags? That’s what this blog is all about.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that the person reviewing resumes is usually busy and doesn’t have much time for that initial scan of your document. In my experience, I would go through a 2-3 page resume in about 1-2 minutes on a first look. That’s all the time it took for me to decide whether I wanted to spend more time on it or move on. I know it may seem harsh, but it’s the reality of the situation.
It’s important to make an impression early on and make your work stand out. Additionally, it’s essential to understand what reviewers like and dislike to see in a resume. How can you make your resume stand out and increase your odds of getting an interview?
Now, I must clarify that every hiring manager is different, and I cannot speak for all of them. However, based on my experience reviewing resumes, I’m able to provide you with some good advice and general principles to follow. In part II of this article, I will outline some guidelines commonly sought after by other hiring managers during the resume review process. So, check back soon and make sure you don’t miss part II of this article.
Why the resume is important?
Your resume is crucial because it serves as an introduction to the organization. It’s typically the first step toward securing a job interview. Think of it as having 1-2 minutes of time to stand up, say hello, and pitch yourself for further consideration. However, instead of being in-person, a piece of paper or an electronic document makes the introduction for you. The document stands up when called upon and presents you as a candidate. Therefore, it must look good, say the right things, and be concise.
When I first looked at a resume, I knew nothing about the candidate. I didn’t know their family background, their past work experience, their accomplishments, or even how good of a person they were. I literally knew nothing about them. Therefore, the resume had to communicate this information to me in some way or another. As I scanned the resume, I was looking for answers to questions like: Who is this person? Are they worth my time? Do they have the right skills? Would they be a good fit for my organization? If I couldn’t obtain this information from a quick scan of the document, I had to move on to the next candidate. So, how can you ensure that your resume makes the best presentation and communicates the most relevant information?
A real-life story
Let me share a story about when my wife was looking to re-enter the job market a few years ago. She hadn’t worked in the medical field for over five years, and her resume wasn’t generating any hits or interviews. She asked for my help, and the first thing we did was shorten it to one page. I understand that’s not always possible, and some companies may require more information. However, I also knew from my experience reviewing resumes that the person reviewing them doesn’t have a lot of time. It’s an art to provide enough information in a concise space. So, we condensed the resume, but still, there were no interviews.
It could have been that my wife was out of the field for too long or that she wasn’t a recent college graduate. Whatever the case, we kept assessing and trying different things. This is an important lesson if you’re facing similar roadblocks: don’t keep doing the same thing; try something different. Change up your resume, reword it, and do something that sets it apart. I wasn’t prepared for how successful this approach would be for my wife.
My wife spoke with some friends who were also looking for jobs and facing similar issues. They were older and hadn’t worked in their respective fields recently. In fact, some employers required relevant work experience within the past three years to apply for their positions. So, what was the next step?
One of the first things I tried to determine when scanning a resume was whether the person was trustworthy. I felt that my wife’s resume wasn’t effectively communicating that aspect. If only they could meet her in person, they would like her and offer her a job. So, we did the next best thing: we put a small picture of my wife in the top left corner of her resume. We selected a picture where she was smiling. That’s all we changed. She sent out the resumes again, and then we waited…
Within a week, my wife received a call for an interview. As I suspected, they liked her during the in-person meeting, and she got hired. It was a rewarding experience for her, and she loved working again in her field.
I shared this story to encourage you and to highlight the impact that your resume can have. Don’t get discouraged, and remember to keep trying. In part II of this article, I’m going to provide you with some pointers on what I liked to see and what raised red flags when reviewing resumes. I’m also going to show you what other hiring managers like to see on a resume so you can compare the advice I’m providing with others. You don’t want to miss it so please check back soon.
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Enjoy!
Steve Mattioli