GETTING YOUR RESUME READ

How do you get your resume read? This is a question so many jobseekers struggle with and there is no easy answer. Much has been written about this subject and the truth is that there is no one answer that works for everyone. Below are listed some of my ideas that you might try along with those of some other career counselors.

1. TRY TO MATCH THE JOB DESCRIPTION. If you write a cover letter you can use the two column technique thru which you match your skills to the job description and then attach a resume to it. Be sure your resume reflects the skills you mention on the cover letter. Much depends upon the size of company you are applying to as to whether a cover letter should be used. Cover letters can be submitted electronically also. We have had great success in our group with the above technique.

2. MAKE YOUR RESUME STAND OUT. Since the average resume gets looked at for 3-5 seconds your resume must catch the readers eye immediately. Stating your career goal or professional summary and presenting skills that match the job description so that it jumps out at the reader can be a way of getting your resume read in its entirety. Employers are looking for people with the skills they need so your skills must be communicated at the top of the resume, perhaps under the heading of “Special Skills”.

3. MAKE YOUR RESUME CONCISE. Quickly indicate what you offer and how you match the employer’s needs. Do not be windy and try to oversell yourself. If your resume is long winded the less likely it will be read.

4. SUCCESSES, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, RESULTS. Employers are interested in finding out what you have accomplished, and/or how you have been creative in getting a job done. They are results oriented. Some job seekers will list projects worked on and state their involvement, and how successful they were. In essence the old guideline of “Who, What, When, and How” applies that you use when writing an article. You can state a project you worked on and then use bullets to quickly denote your success.

Here is an example for a manager or sales rep.:

Manager of Ajax Co. (who) sales division (what) in 2007(when) and increased profits 125% new accounts through a special sales technique (how).

· Opened 450 new accounts

· Re-contacted 225 old customers and added 135 as new accounts

· Hired 23 new sales reps to handle the new business accounts

· Was named regional manager of the year in 2007

Something like this will stand out to an employer and prompt he/she to read your resume further. It makes your resume results oriented.

5. Career counselor Brad Karsh suggests that you FOCUS ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS and define them in terms of scope and results: His guideline is:

· SCOPE: How Big? Ho much? How many? How often?

· RESULTS: Did you create company growth? Did you save the company money? Were you recognized for your achievement? Did you create something new? I personally like his concept and you may want to employ it as a guideline in your resume.

6. FIND THE ORIGINATOR OF THE JOB POSTED

Liz Ryan, an HR Manager and career writer for the Boulder Camera suggests that you don’t send a resume and cover letter to the “Please send resumes to” e-mail address or surface mail address included in an ad. She suggests you try to find the person who placed the ad thru Linkedin (or locating someone in the company who can find out who placed the ad). She also suggests you ping your friends via a group e-mail or see who knows whom at your target company. You can thus get your resume passed on to the right person.

7. BE CAREFUL OF QUIRKY STATEMENTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO SET YOUR SELF APART. They can be a turnoff to an employer.

8. HOW CAN YOU SET YOURSELF APART IN A RESUME AND IN TERMS OF GETTING IT READ?

· Try the results oriented technique that shows accomplishments and results

· Attempt to find out who put out the job description

· If you can mail your cover letter and resume – try an oversize envelope that makes your resume stand out

· Submit your resume on paper and electronically if possible. Be sure that it goes to the same person.

· Attempt thru networking to find out who the Hiring authority really is.

ü It may be possible to get one of your resumes to that person thru networking

· Target the firm to which you applied. Visit cafes, coffee shops nearby to attempt to find out more about the job posting, hiring authority, learn more about the firm.

· Set up an informational interview to find out more about the firm and to give you a chance to possibly find out more about the job opening. Do visit with the sales dept as they usually have important information and they like to talk

· Use linkedin to try to find someone in the company that you might contact, meet and see if that person could help from the inside. (Obviously, you would need to try to meet such a contact personally so that they are comfortable with you much the same as we recommend when using our CCC alumni list)

· Telephone the employer/HR manager to confirm your resume was received.

9. SO, WHAT HEADINGS DO I USE ON MY RESUME?

· Name, address, phone number, e-mail

· Career objective or Professional summary

· State up front what you are looking for. Employers have in mind what skills they want to see in an applicant and you need to show that you are a match.

· Professional work experience (or work history). List the most recent and back about 10 years

ü List special projects, successes/results under this category

· Special skills

· Awards and Achievements – are important no matter how small

· Professional Organizations/Activities – show you are professional

· Education – most recent first and do include high school.

· Education/Training in progress – shows you are keeping updated

· Hobbies and spare time activities – helps paint a picture of you that they are trying to put together. People have been hired because their activities fit into some of the activities going on in the firm.

· References – I still like work or professional references and at least two character references. It is your call.

Bob Raikes, NCCC

Coordinator of Christian Career Circle