Revisiting the Resume

A came upon an article I helped write back in 2011. I wondered if the information I presented then is applicable today and as I read through my notes I found that most things have remained the same. Here are the questions and responses.

1) When it comes to resume writing, what are the most common errors or missed information you see?

a. One of the most common errors is not writing the resume to the open position. It’s important that everyone have a resume template and then modify it for every open position.  A resume must address the open job requirements.  A friend defined it with, "Words are indeed a suit of clothes; we put them 'on' to express ourselves precisely." If a posting says that you must negotiate, then your resume needs to support your accomplishments in negotiation. 

b. Another common resume error is writing it as if it were a job description. It’s fine to include specific tasks but they should be accompanied by measurable accomplishments. One thing that people almost always have trouble with is identifying their measurable results. Ask yourself, "Looking at this particular area, what impact did I make on the organization?" Include specific metrics such as the “how much”, “how many”, “ahead of schedule”, “exceeding client expectations” of your job. Include percentages, savings, customer satisfaction numbers, etc.  To find them, examine your Skill Set and figure out where you exceeded the expectations for your position. Think, “Where was I great and why?” If possible, think about your past annual goals or performance appraisals ratings.
c. Skill Set- The term skill set refers to the six or so areas that are your strengths. They should be a combination of your job-specific skills and soft skills. To find them, write out your tasks (both professional and as a volunteer or member of a professional group). Next, put a check mark next to the tasks that you enjoy doing.  Of those checked, rate your skill level (high, medium or low).  Finally, identify six skills that you rated as both enjoyable and highly skilled. 

 2) As a hiring manager, what are the 3 things that make a resume stand out from the stack on your desk?

a. The best way to make a resume stand out is to include measurable accomplishments that will show the employer what you did in the past and the impact these had on your former company. The wording should be carefully aligned to the skills listed in the employer’s job posting. Make sure that you include the required skills (key words) and your accomplishments as they relate to these.  The hiring manager wants know if the applicant can “hit the ground running” once they get into the company. 

b. A section highlighting six strengths stands out, especially if these strengths are bulleted, align to the open position and are backed up with specific accomplishments within the body of the resume.

c. The resume that is free of typos and grammatical errors. It should also include a Summary Statement rather than an Objective. A Summary Statement is a succinct description of your qualifications and strengths. It is also known as a Branding Statement.

3) If a job-seeker has been out of work 6 months or longer, is there a difference in the way their resume should be presented?

a. Should someone be out of work for a while, he or she can include his or her volunteering experience or any tasks associated with professional groups. These activities allow an applicant to continue using his or her skill set, learn new skills, and network. Also think about any classes taken during the duration of the job search and any consulting work done. The bottom line is this; a job seeker needs to be proactive.

4) For those with high experience applying for a job in which they may be considered overqualified, how should their resume read?

a. A cover letter is a good place to state that your desire to work for a particular company surpasses your higher skill level. 

b. Focus on past skills and accomplishments in a functional resume.  This way, the skills and accomplishments are highlighted at the top of the resume and the past positions and titles are towards the bottom of the resume.

c. Never undersell yourself or lie on the resume.

5) For beginners with little job experience, how does one "beef up" their resume and make it look attractive to potential employers?

a. People with little job experience should include their transferable skills on the resume. Transferable skills are those that they gathered from previous employment, professional groups and from volunteering.

b. Beginners might also consider using a Functional resume; one that focuses on skills and experience rather than chronological work history.

I’ve found that those people without any type of work or interning experience suffer the most when it comes to finding meaningful work. Students need summer work and if in school, need to participate in internships. The competition is too keen without it.