I recently read an interesting blog on “Writing the perfect resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)” and the section that caught my eye was that regarding the ability of software selection or “resume CV reading software” to put you in the to be interviewed pile.
To quote the writer:
“As organisations (or organizations if you prefer) become more sophisticated, they start using CV reading software and web sites that filter us out long before a human even reads the CV. We need to learn these techniques to give us an edge over other candidates. This is a little like getting a website Google friendly. This means using key words. For example, using “competency” in your CV as a description is fine but if the software is looking for “competencies” your CV will be rejected. Software is stupid. It can only look for what it has been told to look for. Another good example of this is “training and development” and “learning and development”; a human looking at these will know that in many organisations these mean the same thing – software does not. carefully look through job adverts and look for the current appropriate language to use and include.”
Now this was the really good resume or CV (if your not in the USA) writing tip:
“The most successful candidates now include a list of keywords on the resume / CV. This can be a small section at the end of the resume / CV. Your keywords section should contain the types of words that recruiters might be looking for in your industry. This way if you do not cover all the bases in the main resume / CV the keyword list will contain them. Also, in the same way search engines look for key words and word density, some software looks for key word frequency – so having this helps your resume / CV to be seen.”
Whether you use the term “resume” or “curriculum vitae” (depending on your local traditions) I think you must always include a section on keywords. Read the rest of the blog this is not the only good advice the writer gives, this is however a great resume form or format tip.
Ric (orglearn) While you’re here take a look at the free blank resume form!
* Link for direct page viewers return to main career success blog to check out other posts!
Many companies use digital databases to search for potential employees. This means that their HR department will conduct searches based on specific keywords. Therefore if your resume doesn’t have the keywords associated to the position description of the job you are applying for, you will be cut from their list of possible applicants even before the ‘real’ selection process begins.
So how do you ensure the correct keywords are in your resume? The best way is to survey advertisements for similar positions across a number of companies. If you currently hold a similar position you may also find a number of these words (usually nouns) in your own job description. This research will reveal a fairly standard set of keywords that relate to the position sought from an employer’s point of view.
Here are some extracts from real ads for salespeople from all over the world.
Ad 1
We are looking to enhance our team with a dynamic, results driven, business to business salesperson. Display advertising sales experience is crucial, along with a positive work ethic and motivation to succeed. This role would best suit someone who has developed strong new business development skills.
Ad 2
What We Look For: Self-starter with strong work ethic who can work independently. Warm interpersonal and with sound communication skills and a strong motivation to succeed!
Ad 3
Experienced Direct Salesperson required to generate new business in the mobile phone industry. To sell contracts business to business. Experience preferred in this industry but not essential. We are looking for a self motivated, hard working, hungry individual who wants the best in life.
Ad 4
The ideal candidate will have sales experience of some kind, and can demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for selling ads. A genuine enthusiasm for (and understanding of) our mission and content is absolutely necessary. The Ad Salesperson must have an excellent phone manner and strong communication skills, must be able to work on deadline, and must be able to handle multiple tasks in an organized manner. Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, File-maker Pro) is a must.
Give yourself the best chance to at least get onto an interview shortlist… search your keywords and phrases!
Ann Hackett?- “15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes”
“14.Have someone else review your resume. Since you are so close to your situation, it can be difficult for you to hit all your high points and clearly convey all your accomplishments. Have someone review your job search objective, your resume, and listings of positions that interest you. Encourage them to ask questions. Their questions can help you to discover items you inadvertently left off your resume. Revise your resume to include these items. Their questions can also point to items on your resume that are confusing to the reader. Clarify your resume based on this input.”
Remember we are often blind to our own errors of judgment or how we are actually are ‘seen by others’, so a frank and honest review of what we have written my hurt… however it may help… a lot!
Remember to check out the interactive online free blank resume form at www.orglearn.org
“…if you hope to land a new position, you must stand out from the crowd”
1. “I’m professional.”
“be careful with the type of language you use. Remember that your application materials are business documents”
2.“I’m a go-getter.”
“unless you’re specifically asked not to, follow up with an employer if you haven’t heard back after sending in your résumé”
3.“I’m an expert.”
“Employers want to hire people who can hit the ground running. That’s why you need to demonstrate your expertise from the beginning. Three great methods for doing so are enhancing your online reputation, joining a professional association and earning a certification.”
4. “I can save your company money.”
“companies are looking for ways to reduce costs. If you’ve implemented successful cost-cutting measures for previous employers, describe how you did so in your résumé”
5.“I can fill your need.”
“if you are qualified but don’t use the employer’s terminology, your résumé may never be seen.
As you can see from the links listed on this blog I have a website with a free blank resume template. Many individuals send me their resume, I store it so, as recently happened, when they lose it I can on request send it back to the distressed resume writer.
To digress for a moment:
The thing about selling and buying is that many (all) of us will seek a third party opinion before buying anything. Just stand in the women’s department of a major store and see how many people ask the sales assistant, a friend or even a passer by “what do you think does this suit me” and you will see what I mean. Yes, men do it as well!
So back to your resume:
Here are a few statements from the last few I have received:
I am hard working and fast learning – unsubstantiated claim and boastful
I do the best that I can – poor attempt at a boast verging on an excuse for past failings
I am able to troubleshoot and repair – hmm almost a boast
I am driven to pursue my ambitions and goals through relentless effort and experience [with] companies that will help me achieve my dreams – no one would want employ this person, he/she give the impression they are just in it for themselves
I [Mary1] have great customer service skills – same comment as the first example above
In a previous post I suggested you write without using personal pronouns as by doing this you give the impression of a to avoid a resume that is full of boasts and/or self centered statements.
Lets take the last one and fix it for Mary Sales results testify to (2) great customer skills… see it sounds more credible already.
Add a proof statement and wow…
or…
(3) Excellent customer skills are reflected in the customer survey sheets received.
or…
Positive staff appraisals comment as to (4) great customer skills.
You tell me, if you where culling sales rep resumes, which Mary would you choose to call in for an interview?
Oh no… while writing this I just received another one that started with… “I am a well qualified individual”… urrgh
Resume part B – Express What You Know and Who You Know
Obviously your resume needs to highlight your breadth of knowledge (in relation to the job being advertised). Too much depth can become boring; you can give expanded information if requested at the interview stage. Just as importantly you need to show who you know. If you have reported to, or worked in project teams with senior executives such as a “vice president”, “director” or “department manager” list it in your resume.
Having worked with to someone considered ‘important’ could help to convince the reader to determine that you are also ‘important’.
Remember what I said above about boasting, so don’t go on and on about your ‘important’ connections however don’t ignore them and leave them out of your resume either. You can use the free blank resume to begin the resume writing process.
As in selling anything the ‘buyer’ is looking for the benefits you bring. To make a benefit statement you need to write down a full “FAB” statement to make sure you are actually listing the benefit you are offering. The best way to do this is to start with a (F) feature which turns into an (A) advantage that finally delivers a (B) benefit.
Example: Your Feature may be say, “Fred holds a full XYZ (whatever it is where you live) drivers license which means he can (Advantage) operate all vehicles in your fleet / production facility (giving the Benifit of) removing the need for additional/temporary drivers for a wide range of operations.
Another example could be: Mary has two degrees (F) which gives her (B) a solid level of knowledge in both discipline X and discipline Y which will assist (now the Benefit) in the overall integration of the organization’s functions and reduce the possibility of interdepartmental tensions.
These types of “FAB statements” help convince the potential employer that you have the competencies that it takes to be both successful in the new position and in your ongoing career with the company. Of course the benefits must relate to the desired ‘attributes’ or ’skills’ listed in the ad you are responding to.
Use statistics to quantify your responsibilities, job tasks and achievements. Examples: “managed a department of twelve people”, “was responsible for a sales budget of eight million dollars” or achieved production growth of 88%. Numbers will create vivid images in the reader’s mind that will be more likely stick.
A well written ‘generic’ resume is a great start however when applying for a job interview you must use the appropriate words and statements. So how how do you find out which words will get the attention of your reader. This is easy… just use as many words and statements, in your introduction, from their ad as you can. Example if they say they are looking for a ‘hard working team player that enjoys a personal challenge’ you use “team player”, “hardworking” and “likes a personal challenge” in your statements about yourself.
Practice writing your resume at orglearn using the free blank resumes by using the free blank resume form
Ric orglearn More articles to come why not subscribe to the RSS feed?
One two or three pages maximum using the following format, note one well written page is probably best:
Name
Introduction
Functional Skills/Competencies
Scope of Positions Held
Career Highlights/Awards
Employment History
Education
Personal Data
Note: There is no “career objective statement” and the reason for excluding it will be explained in a later post (so can I suggest you hit the RSS subscribe button for this blog)
The first ten words will grab the interest of your reader and they will only read further into your resume if what you write is powerful and related to their specific job requirements. Look at the employers ad and think about what they want and make your opening statement a bit like a good news headline.
Write your resume almost as if you are writing about another person, it will present better to the employer and be more credible.
resume example: An experienced executive who impresses customers, colleagues and suppliers who constantly meets or exceeds targets set. (the ‘I am’ is assumed however never written)
Sounds better than… I am an experienced executive that impresses my customers, my colleagues etc… sounds like boasting!
