Everyone writes about networking, researching, targeting companies, identifying the position or positions you want, and you should, it’s all important and solid advice, but there is more to the job hunt than that…
It’s not a difficult twist it’s just a shift in how your approach is.
Are you Endlessly sending an updated draft of your resume out for the 50 some-teenth time to the internet void, and that isn’t working? I have had the same experience.
Years ago it was easy, make a phone call, or send out a resume, interview, and hired. Today – ummm not so much.
I had been very “busy” changing up my skills, key words, etc to “match” what the resume machine algorithms have been asked to search for (and will discard if your resume isn’t at least a 70% match). It’s true, a human will NOT EVER see your resume because there’s a program that automatically eliminates you if you haven’t included the sought after key words. Even worse, you could be algorithm’d out for 6-12 months for a “bad” resume submission.
I had received NO answers back aside from the automated “thank you for applying”, with decades of experience in the industry. Incredibly frustrating! But, I needed to change the way I worded my resume. I was being seen as a doer. Isn’t that good though? Again….Not so much. Hiring Managers need to see not only what you’ve done, but what you’ve accomplished.
I was qualified, I could do the jobs I applied for, even better, I actually WANTED the jobs I applied for, I wasn’t just “looking for work”, I was looking for what I wanted in my life too. I’ve been lucky to get to an ebb and flow now.
But, I needed to change the language in my resume to show that I still take / took action and that I’m results-oriented person (an over-utilized phrase x1000 btw). But, follow a few simple steps to level-up your resume:
1. Focus on your achievements: Instead of just listing your responsibilities, highlight your accomplishments and the results you achieved. Use action verbs to describe your achievements and quantify your accomplishments with numbers and percentages.
2. Use strong, action-oriented language in your resume. Avoid passive voice and use verbs that convey a sense of action and accomplishment.
3. Tailor your language to the job posting: Look at the job posting and use language that aligns with the job requirements. Use similar keywords and phrases that the employer is looking for to convey that you have the skills and experience they are seeking.
4. Highlight your skills and how they have contributed to your accomplishments. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you have used your skills to achieve results.
5. Use bullet points to break up dense paragraphs and make your resume easier to read. Use short, punchy statements that highlight your accomplishments and results.
6. Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread again – did I mention Proofread your resume? Oh yes I did! Do this carefully to ensure that your language is clear, concise, and error-free. Make sure that your accomplishments and results are easy to understand and are presented in a way that is easy to read.
Overall, by focusing on your networking, your achievements, using strong language, tailoring your language to the job posting, highlighting your skills, using bullet points, and proofreading your resume, you can change the way you as a person appear to a Hiring Manager. So make yourself human, because you are human. Make them know you, even better make them WANT to know YOU! You are your own business, you don’t have to sell yourself, just show the best version of You that you’ve got! You’re worth it.
This can help you stand out to potential employers and increase your chances of getting hired.
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