The Pongo Blog
Recruiter Reinforces Our Resume Advice
April 01, 2010 (10:20AM) by Rick Saia, CPRW
We've addressed the keys to effective resume writing more than once on this blog, but there are some things worth repeating, especially when they come from outside sources who walk the same steps on the web that we walk, and their advice is just as valuable.
Take Steven Coyne, an independent recruiter who runs The Job Hunter Group's Blog Last month, he wrote a post for RecruitingBlogs.com, titled 3 Reasons I'll Read Your Resume, that underscores a trio of points we wholeheartedly agree with:
1. Read every word of the job description and apply only if you're qualified for the job.
"Give me what I want by writing a short and concise cover letter. It should include a short summary of your experiences that match the job description. If they don't match, don't apply!" Doing this will help keep your job search focused and prevent you from doing a lot of unnecessary work by applying to more jobs for which you're not qualified.
More on This Topic: The Hazards of Resume Promiscuity
2. Make your resume easy and breezy to read.
Ditch the distracting fonts, the picture of yourself, and the extra words you don't need. In Coyne's words: "Do not ramble! Get right to the point. Recruiters quickly [grow] tired of trying to find information that indicates your qualifications." As for including a picture: "Who cares what you look like? Many hiring managers or recruiters make stupid assumptions about your looks anyway."
More on This Topic: Create an Attractive Resume Employers Will Notice
3. Use important phrases from the job description.
If some of your experience matches the wording in the job description, make it stand out in your resume. "This one reason alone will encourage me to call you," Coyne writes. "I'll know you read the job description and made sure that you made changes that improve your chances to get a call from me."
More on This Topic: Build a Long Master Resume, Then Cut, Cut, Cut
Have you read or heard this advice before and followed it? How did it work out for you? Share your experience with us below.
I agree with the notions that most recruiters feel like they are swamped these days. With the current state of the economy many corporations approach filling vacancies, like looking for a needle in a haystack.
For these reasons, it seems that many recruiters approach resumes with that attitude they are going to give each resume a quick glance to see if the candidate merits a pre-screen call.
In such circumstances it seems Shakespeare's quip that "brevity is the soul of wit" is more apt than ever.
Posted by: DC Jobs | April 02, 2010 at 10:39 AM | Quote This Comment
If I followed #1, not only could I never apply for a job, but I would would never have had a job.
This type of advice is coming from recruiters to make recruiters' jobs easier. Recruiters don't care if you get a job or not, they only want to make the sale.
The recruiter is your enemy. If you weren't doing the exact job in the job description last week, they won't let you anywhere near the employer.
The employer is looking to get a job done, however. If you can show them you can do the work, even though you've never done it before, they will want and need to hire you. This is true for every job I've ever had.
Posted by: David | April 03, 2010 at 11:13 AM | Quote This Comment
Looking for jobs nowadays is not that easy. This article is a very nice! Information really helps us for it guides us to do the right thing. Though it's not hard to make comments about things like HR departments are the Stasi of the corporate world, more of them are losing personnel to layoffs and are increasingly taxed for time, so it's difficult to get resume responses. To ensure responses, make certain you get the name of the people you've handed over resumes to, and show some initiative on your own – it's not like a few phone calls will send you running for payday loans. Try to schedule a meeting if possible, and be confident but polite.
Posted by: Resume responses | April 05, 2010 at 3:07 AM | Quote This Comment
@ DC -- I hear you! Coincidentally, I found this post today: http://www.impacthiringsolutions.com/careerblog/how-recruiters-read-resumes-in-10-seconds-or-less/
@ David -- The post wasn't saying "exact match." If that were true, I wouldn't agree either, because I've landed jobs and interviews in which I didn't have *all* the qualifications. But you need to have at least some of what the employer is looking for, unless you have a contact who can push your candidacy with the hiring manager.
@ RR -- Amen! You need to be assertive, and state your case without being aggressive.
Posted by: Rick Saia, CPRW | April 05, 2010 at 4:26 PM | Quote This Comment
yes I agree with point 1. We must be sure of what we apply for. It could be worth if we apply for technician job while we came from economy background. But you don't have to worry about, when somehow you decided to change your career. You still be describe your recent job experiences in your resume to impress your new potential employer.
Posted by: Resumehow | April 07, 2010 at 4:18 AM | Quote This Comment
As a sales recruiter, I agree with these points, and would like to add that if you're in sales, make sure your resume includes numbers: revenue, growth, etc.--either in actual figures, or percentages. And if you're having trouble, consider hiring a career coach to help you revamp your resume and market yourself to get hired faster. Best of luck, Peggy McKee
Posted by: Sales Recruiter | April 07, 2010 at 1:45 PM | Quote This Comment
Great post. I agree with the 2nd point. We live in a fast world and you only have "nanoseconds" to grab the recruiter's attention. Think of your resume as your sales pitch. Give them what they want and give them fast!
Posted by: Dave | April 12, 2010 at 8:55 AM | Quote This Comment
Looks like there’s going to be more jobs around, but also more competition ! Many job seekers who decided to wait until the job market picks up are going to clash with those who are now ready to move which means twice as many employment seekers !
Posted by: uk jobs guide | April 25, 2010 at 12:44 AM | Quote This Comment