Why your resume might be holding you back

First, let’s get this out of the way. Resumes are subjective tools. Different industries and career tracks have different rules and desired formats. Even the level of importance of your resume will differ depending on the actual work that you do. It’s important to filter any of the things that I describe through your own experience and career goals.

That aside, if you are reading this article, most likely you have already determined that your resume is important to your specific career. You may even be looking for a new job. You’ve done your part to connect with real people at the organization to learn more about the job and the people, and you are about to submit your resume.

Before you do, please hear me out.

I’ve read resumes, talked to recruiters and people who have power to hire in their organizations. If there is one thing that I hear and see that makes the difference between a good resume and a basic one, it’s not the font, format or style you choose (which matter to me dearly), it isn’t even about your experience.

All other things being equal (and there are MANY other factors that play a role): The difference between an okay resume and a good one is your ability to clearly describe your past experience/skills on your resume, in a way that matches what the job you are applying for needs and requires.

I know, not rocket science. It sounds so simple, but most of the time we fail to do this by submitting resumes that we’ve only edited for spelling and grammar and/or to add some new content. I can really understand this. Job opportunities can come so quickly and without much notice, that we scurry to spell-check and then submit.

It’s just that…that doesn’t always work. You might be the most qualified applicant, but the worst at making it clear to anyone else. Recruiters usually have to justify their decision to invite someone to interview. If you haven’t made it clear how you match — it makes it harder for them to vouch for you.

Job descriptions and information sessions with recruiters, are an organization’s way of saying, “Hey everyone we’ve (really) thought about this and we have written out (or told you) what we want for the person who will do this job. Please send us some proof that you can do this job, based on what WE want.”

When we hastily (and sometimes lazily) submit our laundry list of unedited experiences and education in a resume, its almost like saying, “Hey recruiters, thank you for telling me what you wanted, here’s everything that I’ve ever done in my entire career. YOU sift through all of it and figure out if I’ve got what your are looking for.”

That approach requires time and energy that many recruiters can’t (read: won’t) spare. Like I’ve said above, the hiring process is subjective and what is needed on a resume can be as well. However, our job as applicants is to make it crystal clear to a recruiter that our experiences show that we can do the job.

So, before you submit your next resume, remove yourself from the picture. Read the job description and highlight what it actually says the job needs and requires. Then, read your resume, objectively, and see if you described your experience and education on your resume in a way that matches what they are looking for in an obvious way. If you haven’t, it is time to revise your resume. It does take time, but there is really no time like the present to finally get the job that aligns with your purpose and goals, right?