Job Search Series: Resumes - Part One

What IS the purpose of a resume?

• Is it to get you a job? No.
• Is it to give a potential employer a complete picture of everything you've done or could do? No.
• Is it to impress the reader with your creativity, your fancy format, or your multiple and diverse talents? No.

The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview. And you've got about 30 seconds tops to hook the reader enough to consider inviting you in for an interview.

And what will get you the interview? A match between what they are looking for and what you have to offer.

And guess what: the reader of your resume may not even be a live human being!

If you are applying to a large company or to a recruiter or to an agency, your reader might be an electronic scanner. And what that scanner is looking for is certain key words that it has been programmed to look for. If it finds enough of the key words, your resume goes into the "maybe" pile. If it doesn't, your resume may go into the circular file.

And even if your resume is being scanned - or read carefully - by a human scanner, it has to contain enough of those key words in order to get into the "maybe" category.

And what are those magic key words? Read on. [If you think I'm going to provide a list here, you will be disappointed.]

So, what's the key to writing a good resume? Two things: paying attention and customization.

Paying attention: Carefully read the description of the job you are applying for. Compare that job description with your skills, experience, and job requirements. If there is at least an 80% match between the two, go ahead and send your resume and cover letter. If there is not, don't waste their time or yours.

And watch out for their "must haves". If they "must" have someone who can work weekends, and you cannot or don't want to, then don't bother applying. If they "must" have someone who is an expert at QuickBooks Pro, and you are not, don't bother applying. And don't bother trying to convince someone that you are "flexible" or a "quick learner" in these situations. Match, or move on. [This is rather like the 7-minute speed dating process that has become popular lately, only in this case - and probably in speed dating too - you only really have about 30 seconds.]

Customization: Before you send that resume and cover letter, tailor them to the job you are applying for. This might seem like a "no-brainer", but you would be amazed at how many people send out, or post, standard, non-customized, resumes in application for jobs they (a) don't understand, (b) don't really want, or (c) aren't even remotely qualified for.

Make sure that everything that the company is looking for is reflected in your resume somewhere (and emphasized, and perhaps expanded, in your cover letter too). And make sure that the language matches. If your potential employer is looking for someone who is "mature and dependable", and you are, then say so using those exact words. "Grown up and reliable" will not do. Why? Because if a machine is scanning your resume, and it has not been programmed to recognize that "mature" and "grown up" or "dependable" and "reliable" are synonyms, your resume will not pass muster.

Unless you are applying for a highly creative job, such as Graphic Designer, creativity is not the key to preparing a resume. But customization is.

The days of using a one-size-fits-all resume are over!

But - never, ever, lie on a resume! If you don't have what the company is looking for, don't say that you do! If it's a minor thing, then perhaps don't mention it at all. If it's a major thing, express your willingness to learn or accommodate (but don't be disappointed if they don't invite you in for an interview).

A successful resume (and remember, "successful" means that it gets you an interview or at least a second look) will quickly show the reader that you have the skills, qualities, experience, job requirements, and enthusiasm to qualify for the position they are trying to fill. Particularly in this job market, where there is more supply than demand, an employer is usually looking for a person who already knows how to do the job they are advertising for. They will have their pick, and, in most cases, will not be interested in training someone to do the posted job.

Unfortunately, this is not the best job market for career changers. Most employers will be looking for people who are already qualified and experienced at doing the job they are hiring for. If you must change fields, get some coaching or counseling to get you going in the right direction, and then plan on getting the training and skills you will need to work in that field.

In Part Two of this series on resumes, I will provide some more detailed tips for preparing a customized resume. Stay tuned!

Click here to read more on cover letters.