“Your Resume Sucks”
Someone with an open position in their company is reading our CV and thinking the same thing right now.
Sure, they won’t outright come and say it.
Sure, we have only 3 seconds before they decide it’s not worth their time and they move on to another.
However, with more content hacking and less BS, we can make it easy for someone to understand what we really offer as a professional and create an impression that we’re a right fit for the job.
Here’s how
1. Not falling for the ‘Faff Trap’
Often we like using terms on the lines of ‘motivated’, ‘team player’, ‘achiever’, ‘creative’, ‘outgoing’, etc., to try and display our proficiency in being able to work for a large organization.
The truth on the other hand is if we’re applying for a specialization role, then such words will only backfire, exposing our professional inexperience.
Recruiters look forward to terms used by credited experts in the field, not faff that we think is right.
2. To say Cheese or not!
Should our resume have a photograph, or is the name enough? A simple tactic here is if we’re client facing (sales & business development) then a professionally-taken photograph works well.
If we’re planning to join the creative team (design, web development & content) then a nicely designed typography of our name or personal brand can work wonders in the mind of a recruiter.
After all isn’t our specialization what we’re selling in the first place?
3. Parading our Trophies
If irrelevant, we should refrain from listing high-profile internships and awards as a highlight in our resume because it doesn’t bring any value to the company and customers.
Imagine we’re applying as a Junior Technical Livery Designer at the Ferrari F1 team.
Would they really prioritize our internship with the United Nations over a lack of tangible experience in design and industrial materials?
I think not.
4. Theme it out
People are more likely to agree with things that remind them of their own identity, and this can be used to our benefit.
Quite simply we research the company before applying (which if you don’t then I personally don’t think you should be hired!), and implement elements of the brand in our resume.
A rule of thumb here is if we’re applying for a corporate job (finance, hospitality, medicare), then blue should be a primary shade in our resume.
5. The theory of Relativity
Irrespective of whether we got the interview opportunity because of a cold call or some uncle arranged a meeting with his rich friends — including a well thought out, customized, cover letter can make all the difference.
It’s best to see what kind of language they use in their website and social media, and reflect a similar tone in the cover letter. We can either attach it with the resume itself or include it in the email body. Otherwise, it’s best to use a separate A4 sheet if we’re hand delivering our portfolio.
End of the line — Recruiters appreciate a resume treated like a good sales pitch.
It really shows our ability to take charge and conduct ourselves in the heat of the moment.
After all, we’re either joining the workplace machinery or helping the company make better machinery.
The resume helps make all the difference.
