Never Be Overlooked: Learn to Pass the "First Glance" Test
Robin Ryan
Ever wonder why an employer never responded to your resume? To learn the latest, most accurate information on what makes a resume really grab an employer's attention, I conducted a national survey of 600 hiring managers and human resources personnel. The results of that survey gave us firsthand insights on the mistakes people make and what really impresses employers.
Here are some of those findings:
Specifics Sell
Target each resume to the job title sought. Although you may qualify for several different positions, it's actually better to create a different resume for each different job and incorporate only the information pertinent to doing that specific job title in the resume. This will alleviate the tendency to crowd your resume with too much non-related information.
Demonstrate your abilities, accomplishments and past experiences with specifics to make your resume stand out. Mention any innovations, changes or actions (especially time & cost savings) that show you actively take on the job and produce desired results.
Carefully analyze your background to illustrate the necessary information required to successfully do the job.
Then, use the "action=results" formula to create a high-impact tool. This is the specific formula employers want to see. For example: "Managed the entire financial restructuring of subsidiary, the results decreased staff & overhead, saving $150,000 annually."
Vague, general resumes don't cut it. Be as positive as possible without exaggerating or misstating the truth. Include dates of employment, along with companies you've worked for.
Forget adding "References upon request" at the end of your resume -- it is a foregone assumption.
One Page Works Best
Employers quickly glance at resumes so you've got less than 30 seconds to capture their attention. No one reads four-page resumes!
Be a skillful editor, deleting the portions not relevant or least helpful to securing that particular position. Create a stronger impact with employers by focusing on the substance of the last 5-7 years. My survey confirmed that a one-page resume offers a strategic advantage.
Your resume must catch the reader's eye. Allow for lots of white space and borders. Make use of italicizing CAPITALS, underlining, bolding, indentations, and bullets to emphasize important points.
(Note: Scannable resumes have different guidelines.)
Print your resume on white or cream high-quality linen or woven paper using a laser printer.
Use a "SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS"
Always include a "Summary of Qualifications" section, which powerfully illustrates your top selling points -- what you'd bring to perform the job -- in five to six sentences. Ninety percent of job candidates don't include this, but employers said this is an ideal way to get noticed -- fast. It's the most important part of your resume and have this section close to the top.
Avoid the "killer boo boos"
Hands down, the "numero uno" mistake with every manager and HR person in our survey was spelling mistakes and typos. Many said: "I stop reading when I find spelling mistakes." Typos scream: "Don't hire me." Proofread! Perfection is a necessity. And don't trust computer spell checkers.
Don't use "I" in your resume. Instead, start each sentence with an action verb. Descriptive action verbs -- such as established, analyzed, implemented, created, streamlined, organized -- add power to your sentences.
And don't include personal information about marital status, gender, height, weight, or health. This information violates discrimination laws; most organizations don't want you to include it.
The Final Test
Be sure your resume passes this test: Does it clearly and quickly communicate to employers that you can do the job?
Do your strengths come across?
Does everything support the job you are targeting?
Have you removed parts that are unnecessary, dull or redundant?
Does it really sell your skills?
Keep working on it until the answers are all yes.
Source: HireDiversity.com
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