Modifying Your Resume to Fit the Bill and Other Job Seeking Tips

It’s Tough Out There

I’ve had many clients struggle with their job searches, starting with their resumes and on into interviewing and beyond. What is the number one reason? The same reason people don’t succeed with their resumes is the same reason they fail at interviewing: They don’t brag.

Resume Preparation

If the word “brag” bothers you, call it “display”. When you buy a product, you look at the display, don’t you? If you don’t like the magazine ad or store display, you are apt to turn away. If there is something interesting about the display that catches your attention, you will hang around for more. If you don’t tell potential employers or recruiters about your background, education, experience, skills, abilities, strengths, likes and dislikes, who will? They expect you to tell them about yourself; that’s, after all, why you’re there, right?

They can’t read your mind. Your resume has to contain, in summary, all your good points (education, experience, skills and abilities). If you don’t have a college degree, list your experience first. Typically, experience is listed first anyway.

Tailor your resume; that's what a tailor does with pants. If and when you do, you are not lying; the tailor is not disguising your leg length when he shortens your pants. Simply highlight the information they should see. If you have had several careers, mention the one in which you are seeking employment with the application in question. Place a brief synopsis at the top of the resume explaining your experience if that was not your most recent career.

You can tailor your resume within one career as well. For instance, if you have worked in hospitality but are seeking a management job in the field and have little experience in management, mention whatever management positions you have had, and express the experience in your synopsis.

Use “key words” that you feel an employer will seek when perusing online resumes. This varies field to field, so check with your colleagues or online to use the right terms.

Always be truthful about all mentions on your resume. If there is a gap, mention it in the cover letter.

Cover letters may or may not be essential. As a recruiter, I always skipped reading them; on a good day perhaps I skimmed them. If you are applying for a position related to your skills but in a different field, the cover letter may be a good venue for you to let the potential employer know that you have what is called “transferable skills”. But most importantly, try to get the name of the person for the letter. And, please, don’t start your

letter, “Dear Sir”. I actually got one of those once and he made it … to the bottom of the pile.

Interviewing

Display. The same goes for interviewing. There is nothing wrong with telling a professional stranger about what you have done, how your skills relate to the job at hand (especially if a career change), and how eager and hard working you are. If you are proud of your 3.53 gpa, smile and tell them that is one of your accomplishments (sure to be a question in a higher-level interview). That is the information they seek.

In performing dozens of mock interviews for clients, I always found the majority to be very quiet, not forthcoming with information, and sometimes failing to make that ever-important eye contact and smiling occasionally. Being friendly does not mean they will think you weak or trying to be their friend. A potential employer will simply appreciate that you want to meet them. It is the same tip for salespeople. Be interested in their company, and they will be interested in you. It doesn’t matter if you really like their company or not. You want the job, don’t you?

On the other hand, please be short with your answers. Don’t go on and on until the potential employer begins to look at his/her watch and yawns. Make a good impression; don’t make them sleep! And another thing: Throw in key words, just as you would on your resume, to be recognized. If you saved a prior employer money with your funding proposal, tell them and use those words.

Ask important questions about the company and the position, such as whether travel is involved, about their interview process (whether they will have a second interview) or about the organization’s culture. Questions like this also make you sound on top of things. Salary may or may not be a taboo question. You can ask for the range if you feel you have a rapport with the person, or if there will not be a second interview. You can ask around, too. I can explain more in my “Networking” article.

Telling an employer that you’re always on time may seem trite to you, but not to the employer, who appreciates basic skills like showing up. Don’t take that for granted. Perhaps it is an entry-level job in which people walk off or come in late constantly. Even if it is a high-level job, everyone wants someone who comes in on time if not early.

Let’s Not Get Too Personal

Don’t go into your personal life when the potential employer asks you to tell them about yourself. If you have a hobby that relates to their business, fine. Otherwise, they are asking about you professionally: education and experience.

Follow-Up

Many moons ago I made the mistake of not following up after an application or interview. I did not want to be a pest. Well, guess what? When I became a recruiter, I found that I appreciated people who followed up. I’m not at all suggesting being too persistent. A card or email of thanks suffices, especially with one phone call as a second follow-up. Calling weekly might be overkill, and stopping in to see the employer might get security out in the lobby after you.

In Summary

Someone I hired years ago was selected because she waited patiently while the interviewee before her regaled me with her story about how she hit another motorist in the company parking lot upon arriving to the interview. And she told me about her children and all her woes. Perhaps she was nervous, but she also remained unemployed.

The second interviewee asked the appropriate questions, smiled every so often, made eye contact and answered my questions clearly, completely, and with content that showed me she was not only educated, but also knowledgeable and willing to put forth an effort. This woman was elevated within the company in a year, and she started out as a clerk.

Good luck in your job search! Be organized and positive at all times! Remember, the right job for you is out there.