Who is Going to Read My Resume? Catering to an Hr Rep or Manager

Make no mistake: HR Reps and hiring managers have HIGHLY SPECIFIC criteria when it comes to what works on a candidate’s resume, and what doesn’t. Blindly submitting without an understanding of these criteria is the quickest way to rack up rejections and prolong your job search. Utilize these expert tips to ensure your resume gets evaluated properly:

1) CREATE AN EFFECTIVE OPENING

Many candidates begin their resume with an “Objective” section outlining their personal goals. This is COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE. Hiring agents want to know about what BENEFITS you can provide a company, not self-serving objectives.

Instead of an “Objective” section, create a 3-4 line “Summary” DEMONSTRATING key attributes. Analyze postings for the types of jobs you’re interested in applying for. Identify 3-4 in-demand skills which you possess. Now create a brief paragraph highlighting them. For example, a candidate for an Accounting position could focus on his/her ability to audit financial activity and create customized reports, strengthen vendor relationships, and identify major cost efficiencies.

2) UTILIZE THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE OF RESUMES

Yes, resumes DO have a language all their own, and adhering to it is a clear sign of professionalism. Here are the basics:

-Every sentence should begin with a well-chosen verb. For example, a line like, “I worked with multiple teams on projects and controlled scheduling,” can be revised as, “Guided multiple project teams and controlled scheduling.” Avoid using personal pronouns such as “I” or “Me”.

-Every sentence should focus on 1 or 2 key ideas. So, a line like, “Performed failure analysis, crafted reports, presented to clients, and solved issues” would work much better split up into separate sentences (ex. “Delivered effective client presentations, addressing issues and offering viable solutions”). This approach maintains clarity and provides much-needed CONTEXT to your work history.

3) KEEP CLOSING SECTIONS TO A MINIMUM

Don’t undo the good work of the rest of your resume by cramming the end with useless information. HR reps and hiring managers need to know about your education, professional certifications (if applicable) and any PERTINENT affiliations/memberships. Everything else should be excluded.

Anish Majumdar is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Owner at Resume Orbit. 95% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee (in writing).

Please submit your existing resume for a FREE CRITIQUE spanning structure, language, and content.