GETTING YOUR RESUME READ

How do you get your resume read? This is a question so many job seekers struggle with, and there is no easy answer. The truth is that there is no one answer that works for everyone. Listed below are some of my ideas along with those of some other counselors:

TRY TO MATCH THE JOB DESCRIPTION - If you write a cover letter, you can use the two-column technique through which you match your skills to the job description and then attach a resume to it. Be sure your resume reflects the skills you state in the cover letter. Much depends upon the size of the company you are applying to as to whether a cover letter should be used. Cover letters can be submitted electronically also. We have had great success in our group with the above technique.

MAKE YOUR RESUME STAND OUT - The average resume gets looked at for 3-5 seconds, so it must catch the reader's eye immediately. Stating your career objective or professional summary and presenting skills that match the job description so that it jumps out at the reader can be a way of getting your resume read in its entirety. Employers are looking for people with the skills they need, so your skills must be communicated at the top of the resume, perhaps under the heading of "Special Skills".

MAKE YOUR RESUME CONCISE - Quickly indicate what you offer and how you match the employer’s needs. Do not ramble on and try to oversell yourself. If your resume is longwinded, it is less likely to be read.

SUCCESSES, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND RESULTS - Employers are interested in finding out what you have accomplished and/or how you have been creative in getting a job done. They are results-oriented. Some job seekers will list projects worked on and state their involvement and how successful they were. In essence, the old guideline from writing an article applies – "Who, What, When, and How". You can state a project you worked on and then use bullets to quickly denote your success.

Here is an example for a Manager or Sales Representative:

Manager of Ajax Co. (who), Sales Division (what), in 2009 (when) and increased new accounts profits 125% through a special sales technique (how).

● Opened 450 new accounts

● Re-contacted 225 old customers and added 135 as new accounts

● Hired 23 new Sales Representatives to handle the new business accounts

● Was named Regional Manager of the year in 2009

Something like this will stand out to an employer and prompt he/she to read your resume further. It makes your resume results-oriented.

FOCUS ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS - This is a suggestion from Career Counselor, Brad Karsh, who advises you to define them in terms of scope and results. His guideline is:

● SCOPE: How big? How much? How many? How often?

● RESULTS: Did you create company growth? Did you save the company money? Were you recognized for your achievement? Did you create something new?

I personally like his concept, and you may want to employ it as a guideline in your resume.

FIND THE ORIGINATOR OF THE JOB POSTED - Liz Ryan, a Human Resource Director and career writer for the Daily Camera, suggests that you don’t send a resume and cover letter to the "Please send resumes to" e-mail address or surface mail address included in an ad. She suggests you try to find the person who placed the ad through Linkedin (or locate someone in the company who can find out who placed the ad). She also suggests you ping your friends via a group e-mail or see who knows whom at your target company. You can thus get your resume passed on to the right person.

BE CAREFUL OF QUIRKY STATEMENTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO SET YOURSELF APART - They can be a turnoff to an employer.

HOW CAN YOU SET YOURSELF APART IN A RESUME TO GET IT READ:

· Try the results-oriented technique which shows accomplishments and results.

· Attempt to find out who put out the job description.

· If you can mail your cover letter and resume – try an oversized envelope that makes your resume stand out.

· Submit your resume on paper and electronically, if possible. Be sure that it goes to the same person.

· Attempt through networking to find out who the hiring authority really is. It may be possible to get one of your resumes to that person through networking.

· Target the firm to which you applied. Visit cafes nearby to attempt to find out more about the job posting, hiring authority, and to learn more about the firm.

· Set up an Informational Interview to find out more about the firm and possibly more about the job opening. Visit the Sales Department, as they usually have important information and like to talk.

· Use Linkedin to try to find someone in the company that you might contact and meet. Then, see if that person could help from the inside. (Obviously, you would need to try to meet such a contact personally so that they are comfortable with you, much the same as we recommend when using our CCC alumni list.)

· Telephone the employer/Human Resource Director to confirm your resume was received.

WHAT HEADINGS SHOULD YOU USE ON YOUR RESUME:

· Name, address, phone number, e-mail.

· Career Objective or Professional Summary - State up front what you are looking for. Employers have in mind what skills they want to see in an applicant, and you need to show that you are a match.

· Skills/Special Skills.

· Professional Work Experience (or Work History). List the most recent and back about 10 years. List special projects and successes/results under this category.

· Awards and Achievements are important no matter how small.

· Professional Organizations/Activities show you are professional.

· Education – List the most recent first and do include high school.

· Education/Training In Progress shows you are keeping updated.

· References – I still like 3 work/professional references and at least 2 character references. It is your call.

· Hobbies And Spare Time Activities – These help paint a picture of you that they are trying to put together. People have been hired because their activities fit into some of the activities going on in the firm.

Bob Raikes, National Certified Career Counselor