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Resume - Showcase for Your Talent

Your resume may have less than a minute to capture the interest of an employer. It’s a fierce competition. The difference between your resume ending up in the “Must Call” or “No Interest” pile is all in the delivery.

One-in-four human resource managers recently surveyed by CareerBuilder.com reported that they receive more than 50 resumes, on average, for each open position. Thirteen percent said they typically receive more than 100 resumes.

“To stand out from the crowd, you need to think like an employer and follow some basic dos and don’ts,” said Liz Harvey, consumer products director for CareerBuilder.com.

Do speak the language

HR managers frequently search for keywords related to skills, training, degrees and experience when screening resumes either electronically or with their own eyes. Use keywords from the company’s job posting, add industry-specific language and incorporate a few of the following top-searched keywords:

  • Problem solving/decision making
  • Leadership
  • Oral/written communications
  • Team-building
  • Performance/productivity improvement

Do play the match game

When evaluating applications, 77 percent of HR managers said the most important element is relevant experience. Transferable skills are considered as well. The key is showing why you’re a good fit.

Don’t serve up spam

Aside from spelling errors, resumes that are not customized to an open position is the biggest pet peeve for HR managers, according to the survey. Sending out a blanket resume to 100 employers in hope that something will stick is not the way to get noticed. Employers smell spam a mile away and are likely to send you straight to the recycling bin.

Don’t serve up fudge either

When a reviewer catches a lie on a resume, even a minor embellishment, it raises a red flag about a candidate’s overall ethics. Forty-three percent of hiring managers surveyed by CareerBuilder.com last year said they would automatically dismiss a candidate who fibbed on their resume. Keep it real.

Don’t talk about your paper route

According to one in five HR managers, including too many insignificant details can be a fatal error. HR managers are interested in information that is related to their open position. Your resume should be no more than two pages unless you are a corporate-level executive or in the scientific field.

Get a second opinion

Consider employing professional help to avoid these errors and create resumes that get results. CareerBuilder.com launched cbResume. A new resume writing service that pairs jobs seekers with a board-certified writer who specializes in resumes for a particular industry, field and level of experience.

At cbResume.com, job seekers can choose from three packages:
1. Executive Resume – for director to corporate-level candidates.
2. Professional Resume – for workers with 2-plus years of experience in the work force.
3. Collegiate Resume – for recent graduates or workers with 0-2 years of experience.

After selecting a package, you receive a link to a questionnaire that asks about your professional background, responsibilities, career highlights and future goals.

If interested in this service, you can contact cbResume.com. They guarantee satisfaction.

Resource: News & Observer – CareerBuilder – January 28, 2007