| v> | | | | resumes through their own online forms which ask |
| Introduction: If you've sent out your resume for | | | | you to cut and paste (rather than attach) your |
| dozens of jobs and no one is responding, it's time to | | | | resume. Make sure you are sending your resume in a |
| find out why. | | | | format that will work for the recipient. |
| Online job services were meant to automate the job | | | | * If a resume attachment is requested: Save your |
| search process, getting jobseekers in front of | | | | resume as a Word document (.doc or .rtf). This is the |
| prospective new employers faster. How well is it | | | | standard that most companies use. It should retain |
| working for you? If you've sent out dozens of | | | | the formatting that you used for your resume. Avoid |
| resumes and gotten little or no response, it probably | | | | fancy formatting options such as columns, boxes, |
| feels like you're sending your resume into a vast | | | | and tables. |
| black hole. Do you feel like shouting "Hey, is anyone | | | | * If an email or online form is used: Use ASCII, plain |
| out there?" | | | | text, or text only (.txt). This removes formatting, |
| To better the odds that your resume is being seen | | | | but the information is preserved. Be sure to review |
| by a real person who can offer you a real job, here | | | | your resume before sending it so that it is still easy |
| are three guidelines to make your resume more | | | | to read and user friendly. 3. Make Your Resume |
| effective. | | | | Stand Out from the Crowd |
| 1. Include Key Words | | | | With hundreds of candidates to choose from, what |
| With paper resumes a thing of the past, employers | | | | makes your resume shout "Pick me!"? If your |
| use candidate tracking databases to store resumes. | | | | qualifications are similar or equal to the vast majority |
| Recruiters and hiring managers use key words to | | | | of other candidates, employers will need a compelling |
| query and find the candidate resumes that match the | | | | reason to select you out of the crowd. You need a |
| job. If you aren't using the right words to describe | | | | differentiating edge, or you'll be ignored. |
| your employment experiences, then your resume | | | | The best way to differentiate your resume from |
| might be rejected before it's ever seen. Review the | | | | others is with accomplishments. And those |
| key words your resume uses to: | | | | accomplishments really stand out when: |
| * Describe your current career objective. Do your | | | | * They are quantified or measurable. Can you define |
| qualifications match the job description? Look closely | | | | how much you accomplished in dollars saved, |
| at areas listing your technical skills, job responsibilities, | | | | contracts won, or percent changed? |
| and core competencies. | | | | * They highlight your transferable skills. Can your skills |
| * Attract your industry. Are you using your industry's | | | | be used by this company, even if your job |
| current buzzwords? Avoid obsolete terms and | | | | experience is in a different industry? Transferable |
| phases that may label you as behind the times. | | | | skills help employers visualize you in their organization. |
| * Attract your occupational field. Does your resume | | | | * They show corporate impact. How can you help |
| give the impression that you're cutting edge or over | | | | them save time, save money, increase their profit |
| the hill? Make sure your resume shows why you're a | | | | margin, improve sales, or increase revenue? |
| good choice for the job. | | | | While the Internet is still a great tool to connect |
| 2. Use the Correct Electronic Version | | | | quickly with employers, you need to take steps to |
| If your resume can't be opened as an attachment, | | | | ensure your resume won't be ignored. Before you |
| then it can't be seen. Because of the threat of | | | | apply online again, use these three tips to make sure |
| computer viruses, many companies only accept | | | | your resume gets the attention it deserves! |