A resume is your sell sheet – it tells potential employers who you are in a snapshot and acts as an enticement to have them call you for an interview to get to know you even better.
As you get started, here’s a few basic things to keep in mind before you put pen to paper, or in reality, keyboard to Word document.
Position it for the Right Job
It can be tempting to create a one-size fits all resume or to not think too much about what you are going to use your resume for before you start writing it. However, if you want to use the right key words in your resume (and you do!), then you need to know what type of job your resume is going to be utilized for.
Most employers filter their applicants by an automated key word filtering system. The key words are selected based on the position that they are seeking to fill. So, if you want your resume to get past that filtering system and into the hands of a real person, then you want to make sure that you have right key words based on the job you are applying for. And to do that, you want to make sure your resume is written with that type of job in mind!
Speak Their Language
Let’s stick with key words a bit longer because they are so very important. It’s not just the industry key words that you want to keep an eye on. If a job posting uses a phrase or buzz word repeatedly try to find a way to get that word into your resume or at least your cover letter. If you want to work for them, it’s a great idea to start showing that you are one of them, that you speak their language already. In other words, you are already on the same page with them.
Send it to the Right Person
Most job postings do a great job sending you a direct link to submit your resume. However, especially if you are “cold-calling” on a company, you may have to dig a bit to find the hiring manager or Human Resources contact. LinkedIn is a great resource for this and it’s well worth the extra time to do so. Sending your resume out to anyone and everyone will most likely get you nowhere and will waste your time. As they say, work smarter, not harder.
Follow-Up
Once you’ve applied, if you haven’t heard from an employer for a while, sending them a note indicating your continued strong interest in the role is a great way to get your name in front of them again and call attention to yourself. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate statement. In fact, something short and to the point will suffice. The main point is to show your continued interest in the position and perhaps remind them why you would be a great fit.
How do you position your resume?
Many struggle with creating their own resume. Hopefully this article will give you some starting points. What strategies have you found work best for creating your resume?