Resume is a document that creates an image or impression of your professional background. Inevitably, preconceive notions are formulated based on the information you put on paper even before anyone would be interested in speaking with you.
What should be in a resume?
A professional resume contains summarized descriptions of your work history and experience. It also contains detailed information regarding your academic background, professional accomplishments, technical experience and areas of expertise.
PUT ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL HAT
Look at your resume, and ask yourself the following questions:
A). Does my resume give me the professional image or impression that I deserve?
b). Does my resume detail my capabilities and skill set relevant to the roles that I’m pursuing?
c). If my resume is compared to others, would it stand out? Would my resume get the attention and priority?
AVOIDABLE MISTAKE
It is definitely a significant, but avoidable mistake when candidates do not spend the time to improve and critique their own resumes.
Professional resumes can influence the target audience in developing perception and opinion. Whether it is accurate or not, the interviewers’ preconceived notion guides them to select potential candidates.
YOU VS THE OTHER CANDIDATES
We have met candidates who have missed out on executive opportunities because their resumes simply showed summary of responsibilities versus their competition who have detailed synopsis of accomplishments in addition to the well-defined responsibilities.
Below are suggestions on how you could improve your resumes:
- Bullet points under each company should demonstrate your capabilities and relevant skill sets. Does it create a mental picture?
- Specify the top 3 to 7 responsibilities and explain how you added value to the organization
- Include industry key words unique to the role you are pursuing. Did you know recruiters would search using industry key words out of thousands of resumes? This potentially could be a reason why you are not getting a call.
Relevance: Titles and descriptions from one organization to another do not portray or give out the same message or definition. Making an assumption that your target audience understands your past positions is a basic mistake.
ANOTHER SUGGESTION:
- Consider adding an accomplishment section by detailing projects and work performances that made a difference to your employers. Yes, it is o.k. to brag in a humble way.
Relevance: It shows your creativity and problem solving skills that a simple general description is not able to convey. The accomplishment section could also be a basis of conversations during the interview and can be used by the hiring manager during the deliberation process.
- Go back to each company you have worked for and recall ad hoc projects such as streamlining processes, software conversions, cost-cutting analysis, vendor evaluations, supply chain analysis, capital negotiation, expansion exploration, margin improvements initiatives, etc.
- Explain how those projects or activities help improved past performances, enhanced efficiencies, and/or contributed to the bottom line
- Make it quantifiable on paper that could help the interviewer create a positive mental impression of your experience
Relevance: Do not be surprised if those projects are currently being spearheaded by the hiring manager. Hence, your experience and input could be the missing component that could streamline and expedite the projects. At the very least, the skill set you developed from the past projects may crossover to other potential roles.
- Create a section that would list your “Areas of Expertise.”
Relevance: Here’s a well known secret: Recruiters or Talent Sourcers would use this section to scan relevant expertise. Out of the thousands of resumes in the database, this section could make your resume appear on the preliminary list of potential candidates.
Imagine if you do not complete this section, which lists all the relevant industry terms unique to your position; potentially, you have been “disqualified” even before the entire interview process has begun.
Here’s the sad reality: Sometimes the people who do the preliminary review of resumes do not have the background to make the proper assumptions of your experience.
- Avoid assuming that your target audience is familiar with the past companies you worked for. Put a quick description of the company’s industry and main business offering.
Importance: It helps readers associate it with the companies they are representing.
To learn more on how to improve your resume, please call us at 702.589.4655 and speak with one of our specialists.
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