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Resume writing does not come naturally to most people, not even
professional resume writers. Anyone who has reviewed tens of thousands of
resumes, knows that most resumes are not written correctly. Many qualified
candidates waste weeks on fruitless job searches because they do not understand
the cold realities of resume writing and formatting.
If you would like to save yourself a lot of wasted effort, here
are a few things to consider before you submit another resume:
A rapid-scan resume format is essential because recruiters rarely
read resumes; they scan them in 10-15 seconds.
Recruiters and HR managers often receive hundreds of resumes for
each open position; they are often overworked and cannot spend more than a few
seconds scanning each resume. They often screen 100-200 resumes a day, based on
vague, changing, and sometimes contradictory criteria. If you do not format
your resume to sell you quickly and effectively, you will not get interviews.
Your resume must sell to two audiences.
You must write and format your resume to appeal to two audiences:
resume screeners and hiring managers. These audiences often have different
agendas. Corporate recruiters may be in no hurry to fill all open positions
because open positions mean job security. Gatekeepers guard their turf jealously,
so you can be certain that the hiring manager will not see any resume that has
not been blessed by the gatekeeping crew. You must present a resume that can
satisfy gatekeepers as well as seasoned hiring managers. If your resume makes
it clear that you meet all job requirements, the gatekeeper will be compelled
to forward it to the hiring manager.
Doubt means you're out.
Most employers receive resumes from people who are obviously
qualified; they do not have time to contact people who may be qualified. Most
gatekeepers have been burned by candidates who look good on paper but fall
short in interviews. They know that they will be blamed for any poor hiring
decision, so they tend to eliminate resumes for the slightest infraction or
omission. If your resume raises questions, recruiters rarely call to get
answers. They simply move on to the next resume.
Job requirements are fluid.
Often, hiring authorities realize what they are looking for in a
candidate only after they see it. Job postings are not updated to reflect new
requirements because many HR departments are understaffed. In order to write an
effective resume, the resume writer must anticipate resume screening criteria.
Strong Candidate + Weak Resume = No Interview.
Even if you are a strong candidate, your skills and experience
cannot overcome a weak resume. Recruiters and hiring managers decide who to
call for an interview after they have reviewed a number of resumes. Solid
qualifications and good references make no difference if the resume is
deficient. If your resume does not sell, you will not be considered for most
desirable and lucrative jobs in your field.
Management experience is not a substitute.
Years of hiring experience, as a manager or executive, do not
provide adequate preparation for writing a resume. One cannot fully understand
the screening process unless one has screened hundreds of resumes, week after
week, for several years. Many hiring managers and HR generalists will tell you
that your resume should be one or two pages long. Not true. Seasoned recruiters
who have screened tens of thousands of resumes know that a resume should be as
long as it takes to get the point across.
Even superstars need a coach.
Many qualified candidates gain an edge by hiring professional
resume writers. Go a step further by hiring a professional with strong writing
skills and relevant professional experience. Lawyers seek legal advice and
dentists see dentists because objectivity, neutral perspective, and
professional detachment are priceless. If you go it alone you will be at a
disadvantage.
Many online and offline resources on resume writing were written
before 1998 — eons ago.
Some resume writing advisors have not updated their writings to
reflect changes in technology and contemporary economic realities; they still
refer to the Internet as the "Information Superhighway" and carp
endlessly on the importance of resume paper. Expired resume writing advice can
hurt your job search.
Free resumes can be expensive.
You could spend hours or days gathering "free" resume
writing information of dubious value only to end up with a resume that
sabotages your job search. You need professional expertise and objectivity to
write and format an effective resume. If a new resume shortens your job search
by one day, or results in a 1 percent increase in salary, it pays for itself.
An ineffective resume can cost thousands of dollars in lost time, income, and
opportunity.