Have you ever wished you communicated the right information to get hired? How about making the best hiring decision as a manager? Starting today I will be writing a bi-weekly 1 page blog which will give you all this information in a two minute read.
Today’s first article is on writing your resume. Your resume needs to sell you.
The challenge is that the hiring manger may only look at it for less than 30 seconds to make a decision. Hiring managers (and their screeners) are looking for a reason to eliminate your resume from the stack (process of elimination). You want to be smart and not have your resume eliminated – you want a resume that stands out!
Here are 10 tips for resume success!
1.) Many hiring managers like “chronological” resumes that detail your job history, starting with the most recent. “Functional” resumes that list your skills only may appear to be hiding something, even if they are not. You want your resume to be easy to read, not difficult to follow.
2.) Your most recent job(s) should get the most words. Past jobs summaries should be brief. Do not just add your most recent job on top of your old resume. Reduce the amount of words describing each position the further back they are in your resume. Recency is what matters – “what have you done for me lately?”
3.) Each position should list the company worked for, your title and the dates. It should then include a sentence or two on what the company does and its relevant $$ revenue size. For each position note your responsibilities and then separately your accomplishments.
4.) To remember your accomplishments take a blank sheet of paper and start writing everything you did for each relevant position. Accomplishments are more powerful if you can quantify the results.
5.) Make sure you clearly note all internal promotions. Internal promotions give evidence that you did work worthy of a promotion. Hiring managers like that! Past performance is a great indicator of future performance.
6.) For each position concisely note your reason for leaving. The hiring manager wants to know. Take the lead – get it out of the way up-front. The resume needs to sell, in this case answer an objection (why did you leave) in a positive manner.
7.) Key words matter. Look at job postings you want. What are the key words? Make sure your resume has the key words in it to be found in a key word search.
8.) Typically, resumes should not be longer than two pages (three pages maximum). For certain job functions such as consultants you can always add an addendum of accomplishments.
9.) Make the resume easy on the eyes. It should be full, but well laid-out. Have consistent format. Size 10 – 12 font is best.
10.) As you present your resume to different hiring managers and openings it is best to customize the resume to that unique audience. For example, note an accomplishment that pertains to the particular position and industry you are applying to.