In the Interview
Many people tell me it’s one thing to WOW the interview but I can’t seem to get one, I mean I know I am qualified and I just want to work, I have sent out thousands of resume and the result has been abysmal as desperation consumes their energy…Most people make the same mistakes which include a boring cookie cutter resume that Does not do justice to your value, look for work in the same places as everybody else and do not follow up on the inquiries they make not to mention a few other things. There are jobs its a matter of changing your search and your attitude.
Today the focus will be on how to continue marketing you so that people ooh and aah when they see your resume and suddenly you are getting calls for employment opportunities. Welcome to the boot camp, where breaking those limiting beliefs will become engraved in your DNA!
Let’s talk resumes. As we move centuries our attitudes and our values change. The mindset that resumes need to look identical especially in a recession is WRONG. Companies know what the duties of a job are, they don’t need mindless regurgitation, companies want to make money, so your resume should like the interview skills demonstrate your value and your personal contributions.
The most important thing about writing a resume is adding things that make your stand out. Make your resume unique by adding your personality to it. For those of you who saw Legally Blond, when Elle Woods applies to Harvard she submits a pink resume that is scented. Get your voice heard even on a resume.
“It’s Pink and it’s scented” “It does smell good”
Everyone on the committee initially laughs when they see this resume at Harvard and so does Professor Callaghan, but they remember it. If you make your resume more than a typical cookie cutter looking resume you will stand out. Every little bit that gives you an edge will put you closer to getting your dream job.
NOTE: Most recruiters and hiring professionals spend 15-30 seconds reading your resume. Which means they normally look at the top 1/3 or top ½ of your first page, if something grabs their attention they will put you in the initial yes pile.
Tips for making your resume stand out
They can be used individually or in combination. (See sample resumes to get ideas)
- Use fonts that are different, avoid Times New Roman & Arial as they are the most common and a wee boring.
- Use Unique symbols for your bullets. Using ones that relate to the industry will also create a stronger image.
- Have a quote from one of your references or your motto in life somewhere that is easily visible.
- Have an Area of Expertise – words related to your knowledge of the industry separated by an original symbol to separate. You can Italicize or bold every other word. This is instead of the boring list of “skills” like hard working dedicated, team player, etc which have different meanings to different people.
- Rather than talk about my duties and responsibilities, focus your answers on: your SUCCESSES, your CONTRIBUTIONS, RESULTS you had, your ACHIEVEMENTS Add money figures, % figures, Time Figures, inventory controls and figures, mention policies and Procedures you created, Templates and Macros you used, operational efficiency suggestions etc. BE SPECIFIC. Use SMART (Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant in Time or Simple, Manageable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely), STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or AIDA (Attention, Information, Desire, Action) to formulate your answers and always apply KISS (Keep It Simple and Short) when giving an answer.
- Have framed heading to separate sections of the resume.
- Add humor to your resume. THIS can be both subtle and direct
- Keep points short. DO NOT DESCRIBE every task you have done on the job. Employers can know the details of the job description.
- Create different size text boxes to separate various parts or information on the resume.
- Emphasize where you excelled and surpassed expectations.
- Use industry terminology found in job descriptions throughout your resume. This will help you with online searching more on that later.
- Add color, Italics and images to help bring your expertise to light.
- Have a background image that relates to industry and job you are applying for.
All are very simple points that individually and collectively can produce an exponential return on investment in getting your foot in the door.
Any trick to get your foot in the door