Does your résumé set you apart and encourage your next boss to call you? That’s great. When your résumé is strong and communicates your unique value it serves as a key to open locked doors. If your materials are not helping you stand out in the sea of other résumés, you may not get the opportunity to interview for the position.
Today, more than ever, organizations are proactively looking for the skills and experience they seek. Being reactive in your search is not the most effective marketing strategy. I see hundreds of résumés each week and coach clients on the necessity of tailoring their résumé and message to your target audience.
Being focused on the position you want and clearly communicating your message to your target audience helps you stand out in a crowd of other qualified candidates. Ensure your résumé is authentic and has clarity of purpose. Show how you can help your future boss and organization achieve their goals. These simple steps, overlooked by the majority of job seekers, help you “leap off the page.”
Action exercise:
1. Write a brief job description of your ideal job.
2. Then, just as if you are applying for the position, put your résumé and the job description side by side. Highlight the needs and wants of the employer for your ideal job.
3. Next, use the highlighter to highlight the keywords and information in your résumé that are applicable to the needs and wants of the employer.
Use this same exercise before you react to a job posting. Look for the unique ways you solve an employer’s problem or address the needs and wants expressed. If your résumé is lacking, fix it, or it may never seen by your future boss.
In the world of online sourcing and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), résumés that don’t match slip into the darkness and are never seen again.
Tomorrow is Halloween in the USA. Many youth will dress in costumes and go door to door seeking candy or healthy snacks. As each door opens they say ‘Trick ‘or Treat’ hoping to receive a treat in lieu of having to perform a trick. If you want your résumé to be treated to human eyes, tailor it to match the job you are seeking and add style and be sure it stands out.
Happy Halloween! Check out my Halloween treat for you.
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