Getting Your Resume Out there and Getting it Noticed

 

​Most companies use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) portals to analyze and scan applications, résumés, and CVs to rank and filter the best-suited applicants for vacancy criteria.  In a tough job market, you need to stand out and add results or accomplishments to help recruiters and hiring managers visualize your potential for a job they seek to fill. ​Employers want to know “how you can help their company.”  Adding results of what you did, or the steps it took to achieve an outcome or accomplishments, will convey that.  Creating an optimized résumé will also show the value you have to offer.a   

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Adding Accomplishments to Give You Credibility  

 

​Quantifying your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, specific dates, or dollar amounts will help recruiters or hiring managers visualize your potential impact and the value you can bring to them. It will also serve as a powerful negotiation tool when the topic of salary arises.  

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• Consider a problem you solved or a solution you implemented and describe a benefit or outcome it had for a business, customer, or employee.  
• If you can answer the following sample questions with a metric or result, consider adding the metric/result to your résumé:

  • Did you manage a budget (add the amount), did you manage any direct/indirect employees, or did they report to you (add the number)?

  • Did you contribute to increasing customer service survey scores (add 'before and after score' to show change, and describe change)?

  • Did you have Profit & Loss or fiscal responsibilities for overall business operations or employees (add the amount or a number)?

  • Did you add operational improvements (describe changes), manage people (how many), or contribute to growing company revenue (how much?)

  • Did you bring in new business, create a new product or service, or retain customers by ensuring high-quality products and services (how many?)

  • Did you save time, save costs, or reduce company expenses (add how much) to improve a process, procedure, or efficiency (describe change)?

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Tailoring Résumé to Targeted Job Description

 

Though a job description, the company is telling you exactly what they want.  They use ATS portals to scan applications, résumés, and CVs to rank and filter the best-suited applicants for their vacancy criteria.  Ensure you use their terminology in your résumé and cover letters so that the recruiter reading your résumé sees you've done your research and are suitable for the role.   

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• Use keywords used in the job posting and ensure you include them throughout your résumé. If the company asks for a team player, make sure 'team player' is on the résumé. If they want someone who is data-driven, write how you "used data-driven leadership to grow revenue 50%".

• Develop a résumé with effective keywords to achieve an 80% match rate or higher to increase the chances it will be seen by a recruiter.

• Focus on the effectiveness of résumé content and keyword matches towards the criteria for a targeted position you are applying for, with a focus on hard skills, soft skills, and company-specific skills to help your résumé stand out.   

• Use "jargon" that “speaks the language” of the industry or employer you are applying for, it shows your understanding of the field or the company. 

• For word count of your résumé, if you are not applying to executive-level or government jobs, consider reducing the length to under 1,000 words to increase the focus and ease of reading by recruiters.

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Strengthening Your Hard Skills and Soft Skills with Rich Keywords

 

​Use exact keywords.  If a skill can be an acronym or variation, aim to mimic whatever is on a job description since it is likely what the recruiter will search (i.e. product management vs. product manager).  Hard skills show proficiency while soft skills show communication and relational abilities.

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• “Skills” or “Valued Experienced In” section on your résumé will allow recruiters/hiring managers to see the skills you have at a glance.

• The key to changing your career is identifying your transferable skills, such as critical thinking, strategic planning, organizing, or leading. 

• Hard skills and soft skills form a well-rounded job applicant and creates a good balance between knowledge and interpersonal attributes.

• Soft skills are people skills or personality traits that revolve around character, teamwork, communication, time management, or work ethic.

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Formatting Your Résumé and LinkedIn Profile

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• Send a consistent message in terms of content and design for all your career marketing documents.

• Include city, state, and zip code as the ATS allows recruiters or hiring managers to filter candidates based on location.      

• Include a personal phone number (not work number) and professional email (e.g., marysmith@gmail.com), do not use a school or college email.    

• Explain employment gaps, as they may affect ATS filtering recruiters use when scanning work history.  If gaps, consider using years only (e.g., 2019).

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