May 28th – The #LetteroftheDay is “S” as in Salient
Your résumé only gets 7.4 seconds to make an impression on the reader!
In the short time that recruiters look at your résumé, they look at your name, current title and company, current position start and end dates, previous title and company, previous position start and end dates, and education.
It is critical to put the most salient information, your greatest career achievements, in such a way so that employers will easily identify the value you bring to an organization without having to wade through a sea of bullet points or read a paragraph.
A branded summary section showcasing your unique value is critical to capture the reader’s attention and entice them into wanting to know more. Lose the outdated objective and generic corporate speak and present your genuine you.
May 29th – The #LetteroftheDay is “T” as in Target
One of the worst mistakes a job seeker can make is to have a “one-size-fits-all” résumé. One-size-fits-all equates to one-size-fits-none.
Your résumé should be targeted to the position you are applying to – integrate key words, showcase achievements, and focus on the most relevant work experience.
Begin with reviewing the job description to identify keywords and preferred skill sets to align your résumé. While a complete rewrite isn’t usually needed, make sure your bullet points and accomplishments reflect the desired skill set and show that you can do the job. You may a top sales leader in your organization but if the position is looking for someone skilled in strategic planning, make sure you focus on a time where you have utilized that skill set and show the tangible results.
May 30th – The #LetteroftheDay is “U” as in Unicorn
Unicorns or purple squirrels areterms used by recruiters to describe a candidate with precisely the right education, set of experience, and range of qualifications that perfectly fits a job’s requirements the implication is that over-specification of the requirements makes a perfect candidate as hard to find as a purple squirrel
Some job seekers think they need to be a unicorn and match 10 out of 10 requirements before applying to a job. The reality is that nothing could be further from the truth. Research shows you are just as likely to be called for an interview if you match 50% of the job requirements as you are if you meet 100% of them.
If a job calls for 10+ years of experience and you have only 2, it will probably be a stretch. However, if the job descriptions calls for 3 years of experience, go for it. Don’t let that potential opportunity pass you by because you aren’t a unicorn.
May 31st – The #LetteroftheDay is “V” as in Violin
Learning to be a master violin player takes years of studying, practice, and work. If you are a violin player putting together your résumé, you might highlight your performances, awards, and education.
Like, with education on any résumé, the most relevant and recent experience is what should be highlighted and not an all-inclusive list of everything you’ve done. Your experience studying 18thcentury music theory probably means more than an Intro to Playing the Violin class you took in sixth grade.
When preparing your résumé, only list educations, training, or certifications that are going to be relevant moving forward. Save your High School information, Windows 95 certifications, or industry training from 30 years for your scrap book.
