by Leslie Rothman
Resume submission and review has changed dramatically with the wide use of technology as the first step in the hiring process. As a result, the way you craft your resume needs to change as well. When you are asked to complete an on-line application that requires filling in text boxes, your submission is going into a database that will use a search engine to make “best fit matches” with the employer’s position.
Here’s How
To get your resume noticed work on these three things;
- Make your resume customized and relevant to the position you are applying for
- Construct the employment sections with well written and informative content
- Create a positive visual impact
Customize
Key places on the resume to customize for a desired position.
Professional Summary
We no longer use an objective – a well crafted Professional Summary is the way to go. Containing a few sentences (2-5 lines) it summarizes what you’ve done and highlights your strengths / how you add value. For example;
20+ years of progressive leadership positions in product development and manufacturing management in high technology industries. Skilled at complex problem solving, product innovation, high level customer relations, engineering strategy development, and selecting and retaining top engineering talent.
Below this add some of your content expertise bullets, matching the language you see on the posting. Change your expertise bullets as needed for different positions.
- Strategic Planning and Tactical Implementation
- Highly proficient with Viso and Excel
Qualification Highlights
If you are looking for work that is different or a shift from what you’ve been doing, instead of content expertise bullets which you may not have since this is a new direction, highlight 3-5 of your relevant, transferable skills that match the position requirements. For example;
- Relationship builder – easily develop rapport and ongoing relationships with people of all ages and backgrounds using excellent listening, questioning and observation skills.
Employment Section
Construct each employment description with well written and informative content. Instead of describing what the company or product does, creating a long list of tasks, (or worse) copying your job descriptions under each position held, give a brief overview of the position and bullet 2-5 of your accomplishments or successes in the role.
Employers are interested in your specific contributions, the value add you brought to the tasks. For example:
Marketing Account Executive, ABC Advertising – Manchester, NH 4/14 – 6/18
Developed and implemented a wide range of marketing activities for computer graphic companies nationwide. Served as point person for existing accounts and in charge of business development in New England territory.
- Through excellent customer service, quality products and timely delivery, increased new customer accounts by 20% while consistently maintaining established client base.
- Note the use of action verbs and the absence of words like “responsible for”.
- When possible, quantify results or use language that gives the scope of your work.
- Customize the accomplishments you decide to highlight, choosing the ones that you think are most relevant to the position you are applying for.
- Match your words to the posting when possible. In the bullet above, use customer service if the posting contains that language, but change it to customer care if that’s what you see in the posting. These are sometimes referred to as key words that the search engines pick up.
Visual Impact
Using these techniques will give your resume a much better chance of being selected from the database or pile. Now your resume may be printed out, or emailed to others and how it looks starts to count. A resume that is not too dense, with white space and a visually appealing format can make a difference. If the resume is visually unappealing and looks hard to read, the reader may pass it over or do a quick scan, and all your hard work in customizing and agonizing over the details will go unnoticed.
By incorporating these approaches into your resume, you increase your chances of getting your resume noticed. Remember, no one resume fits all; customization and relevant content are the name of the game!
“Get YOUR resume noticed!” is a copyrighted publication of Career & Workplace Directions, LLC and cannot be copied or printed without express permission of Career & Workplace Directions, LLC.
