In a perfect world a hiring manager would go through each resume received and read it thoroughly to determine the best candidate.
However, the reality is that managers have very limited time, and can not possibly read through each one. What do they do instead? They do what they have to do…
You will quickly need to learn what you can do to appeal to your reader in a way that recognizes these time-constraints.
How employers hire
When scanning through a stack of resumes from potential employees, employers will first use a couple of techniques that will get their stack of 100 down to a much more manageable number – say 10.
Out of those 10 that pass the test, they will give a much more thorough review. Now, wouldn’t you like to know what they look for to scrape the 90% right off the top (so you can avoid those fatal mistakes)?
Here is a hint: you have 5 seconds to pass their test and make in into the 10%.
Resume Writing Success
Resume writing success is breaking through the sometimes overwhelming number of job applicants so that your resume stands out from the crowd.
It is not as hard as it might sound. Though you may be one of a hundred candidates with resumes sitting on a managers desk, by sticking to the guidelines we lay out and “playing the numbers game” – you can can win the job your looking for!
Simply put, most people are simply not willing to take the steps required to be successful.
The truth is, it does not take very much for you to separate yourself from the herd. Let me show you how…
How to win the numbers game
There are 3 things to know that will help you breakthrough
The first thing you need to realize when approaching your job search campaign is that most job seekers simply fax a resume to a fax number and hope for the best. That is not good enough. You won’t do that.
The second thing you must realize is that there are a few key techniques that you can use that will simply cause an employer to pull your resume out of the stack and more over to the “read later” pile. That alone puts you into the top 10%.
The third factor is that you simply must contact enough potential employers to have the first factors take effect. If you only contact 2 employers, it is very possible that no matter how perfectly you do everything – you might get overlooked.
However, if you contact 50 employers, it would be virtually impossible that you would not get a sufficient response to a well executed job campaign. those kind of numbers translate into a job offer. The larger your employer-contact list, the better the numbers will hold through for you. It is simple math.
Resume Secrets Revealed
Below we will discuss 3 little-known resume secrets that will transform your resume into a strong, to-the-point sales piece that will move you to the “top of the list”.
These 3 secrets, when employed, will do one of the most important things that are almost always missed by the masses; directly couple you to the employers need.
All too often job applicants miss this most simple and basic point – an employer is looking for a specific person with a specific skill set.
You MUST (very quickly) show that you represent the answer to his need.
Most people are in effect saying, “look at me” instead of saying, “look how I fill your need”. It is a very subtle difference, however, this one point is what separates the wheat from the chaff. Below are 3 resume secrets that will frame your presentation in this very way.
The 3 Resume Secrets…
Resume Secret #1 – “The 5-Second Rule”
The 5-Second Rule simply states that you and your resume have 5 golden seconds to make a positive impact on a potential employer so as to not get relegated to the “circular file”. Does that seem unreasonable to you? It may be, but you must realize that this is a reality of the highly competitive business world we live in. Hiring managers with stacks of resumes on their desks and an already full schedule, make split second decisions initially to determine which resumes they will pursue and those that will be thrown away.
Before you start to picture your resume as #74 in a stack of 100 on some over-worked managers desk who probably won’t even give it the time of day (actually he’ll give it 5 seconds), and before you start to slip into a deep depression wondering, “how will I ever break through this quagmire”; you must know that the 5-Second Rule is GREAT news for you! Here is why…
Your initial success in making it past the first step will be determined by your adherence to the 5-Second Rule.
If you stick to it, you will be one of about 10% of resumes left that will garner further scrutiny – the other 90% will be in the trash. The vast majority of resumes submitted will fail to adhere to the 5-Second Rule, and simply because you are aware of it, you will make it to the “worth reading” list!
Resume Secret #2 – “The Objective Tie-In”
The Objective Tie-In is really a very simple concept and the first major decision point for the reader of your resume as to whether or not is will be worth his time to read any further. However, this is possibly the most important of the resume secrets.
This critical point is when the reader gets to the very first section of your resume, which should read, “Objective”, or “Employment Objective”. The Objective Tie-In concept means that you are simply matching your objective to the specific needs of the employer. Bottom line: In this moment, with this resume, being read by this hiring manager, your objective is nothing more than – the job being offered!
Let’s be honest, your objective is not: “to gain employment with a growing company in the (blank) industry that would utilize my varied skills and aptitudes in a way that would be mutually beneficial”.
Your objective is: “Administrative Assistant”
Or, your objective may be: “Executive Secretary”
How do you grab an employer’s attention in a split second? Not by giving him flowery overly generalized fluff; you give him what he is looking for. If he is looking for a database administrator, then as he is going through the stack of resumes, giving each one no more than 5 seconds, his eyes will naturally be captured by any resume that begins with the following:
Employment Objective: Database Administrator
Yes, it is almost uncomfortably short, but remember, you are not writing this for yourself, you are writing this for your next employer!
This is short and to the point – something employers value and appreciate. There are no magnanimous overtures stating how you want your skills and abilities to impact the company in a mutually beneficial way.
Believe me, I have read thousands of resumes and nothing turns me off more than this type of drivel – sorry if I am being too blunt about this.
The key point here is that you must use the “objective tie-in” and give the employer exactly what he or she is looking for and nothing more. This concept will support the employers desire to make a very quick assessment (5-Second Rule) on whether or not to add your resume to the “worth reading” pile.
Resume Secret #3 – “Use of Power-Phrasing”
People assess you by the words that you use. Every day, with every interaction, each word that comes out of your mouth helps build your persona in the eyes of other people. Of course this can be either positively or negatively!
When constructing your resume, you must consider the words you use very carefully. There are always at least 2 different ways to say the same thing, and generally one of those will come off better. You must always choose the best possible phrase for each concept you are trying to covey. By doing this, you are positioning yourself in the best possible light with respect to how your reader will perceive you. This practice is called Power-Phrasing.
The proper use of Power-Phrasing can take one statement or fact, and using powerful, effective wording, make that fact look all the more impressive simply because of the words chosen to express the fact.
The Most Important Resume Writing Tip
There is one resume writing tip that I can give you that will make all the difference for your resume. By incorporating it you will greatly enhance your chances of getting an interview.
On this page I will show you several resume tips and techniques, however, none are as important as this one; always write with the employer in mind.
And to be even more specific, you must draw-out your most relevant skills, abilities and accomplishments and showcase them prominently on your resume.
You must make it easy for the eyes of the person reading your resume to fall upon these critical elements. That is why you must take great care in choosing the proper format, as well as the wording of your resume.
- Deliver what the employer is looking for – your relevant skills;
- Do not write your resume for yourself, write for the employer;
- Proper use of a cover letter and objective statement are the two ways to bring your resume into focus for your reader.
One resume writing tip is not enough?
Here are some other tip’s when it comes to writing a winning resume. If any of the following are present, your resume is destined for the circular file…
5 things that should never be on your resume
- Salary expectation / history – this is a no win situation. If your expectation is to high, the employer will weed you out. If it is too low you have lost your bargaining power. It is always best to discuss at or after the interview.
- Personal data – This is a waste of valuable word-space. No interview will be gained because of marital status, age or your “excellent” health.
- Cutesy gimmicks – Do not put cute or funny graphics on your resume – you will not be taken seriously. Furthermore, as we discussed at the top of this page, you need to focus the reader on your best attributes – not elsewhere.
- Your picture – Unless you are applying for a modeling or acting job, this is a big no-no. It only give the hiring manager another reason to reject you – he doesn’t like your looks.
- Reasons for leaving previous jobs – These will never count in your favor. It is possible to handle these effectively in the interview, however, it is best not to raise the issue on the resume.
Resume Cover Letters – Tips, Techniques
You may not realize it, however, resume cover letters are vitally important to your chances of getting a job interview. Your advance research will be the one of the single most important elements of your successful job search campaign.
If your resume cover letter is not written correctly and skillfully, your resume will likely not even be reviewed.
Read on to learn more about this “first-impression” document – you know what they say about first impressions, right…?
The importance of your cover letter
If you are serious about kick-starting your job search into high gear, you must understand the importance of your cover letter as a vital self-marketing peice.
Not only does this letter introduce you and create that all-important first impression; it also answers some key questions for the employer:
- Do you realize the importance of your resume cover letter?
- Am I interested in this person?
- Does this person “seem sharp”?
- Does this candidate seem qualified?
- Is this resume worth persuing?
While your resume will remain largely unchanged (although there are some key elements that should be modified on a case-by-case basis), your cover letter should be high customized to each specific situation.
In fact, your cover letter should be the by-product of “advance job research” (that you should for every job).
Resume tips and techniques
Your advance-research is designed to yield the following information which when used, makes your cover letter much more “familiar” and targeted to the specific job and reader:
- The exact job specs;
- The name of the hiring manager;
- The hiring manager’s contact info;
- The hiring manager’s assistant’s name / info;
- Important company background information;
- Key product information (when applicable).
Sample Resume Objective Statements
On this page you will find sample resume objective statements as well as a discussion of why your resume objective statement is so vitally important to the success of your campaign.
What’s your objective?
When crafting the objective statement for your resume, your should always keep in mind an all-important philosophy. Write for your reader, not for yourself.
Remember, you are trying to show how you fill an employers need. Don’t tell him what you want, show him that you are the answer to his need. It is a very subtle difference, however, these types of techniques yield massive results.
The Objective Tie-In
The Objective Tie-In is really a very simple concept and the first major decision point for the reader of your resume as to whether or not is will be worth his time to read any further. However, this is possibly the most important of the resume secrets.
This critical point is when the reader gets to the very first section of your resume, which should read, “Objective”, or better yet, “Employment Objective”. The Objective Tie-In concept means that you are simply matching your objective to the specific needs of the employer. Bottom line: In this moment, with this resume, being read by this hiring manager, your objective is nothing more than – the job being offered!
Let’s be honest, your objective is not: “to gain employment with a growing company in the (blank) industry that would utilize my varied skills and aptitudes in a way that would be mutually beneficial”.
Your objective is: “Administrative Assistant”
Or, your objective may be: “Executive Secretary”
How do you grab an employer’s attention in a split second? Not by giving him flowery overly generalized fluff; you give him what he is looking for. If he is looking for a database administrator, then as he is going through the stack of resumes, giving each one no more than 5 seconds, his eyes will naturally be captured by any resume that begins with the following:
Employment Objective: Database Administrator
Yes, it is almost uncomfortably short, but remember, you are not writing this for yourself, you are writing this for your next employer! This is short and to the point – something employers value and appreciate.
There are no magnanimous overtures stating how you want your skills and abilities to impact the company in a mutually beneficial way. Believe me, I have read thousands of resumes and nothing turns me off more than this type of drivel – sorry if I am being too blunt about this.
The key point here is that you must use the “objective tie-in” and give the employer exactly what he is looking for and nothing more. This concept will support the employers desire to make a very quick assessment (5-Second Rule) on whether or not to add your resume to the “worth reading” pile.