Resume submission and review has changed dramatically with the wide use of technology as the first step in the hiring process. As a result, the way you craft your resume needs changes as well. When you are asked to complete an on-line application that requires filling in text boxes, your submission is going into a database that will use a search engine to make “best fit matches” with the employer’s position.
Typically we no longer use an objective – especially true if you are looking for work that is similar to what you’ve been doing. A well crafted Professional Summary is the way to go. Containing a few sentences (2-5 lines) it summarizes what you’ve done and highlights what you are known for.
20+ years of progressive leadership positions in product development and manufacturing engineering management in high technology industries. Skilled at complex problem solving, product innovation, high level customer relations, engineering strategy development and selecting and retaining top engineering talent.
Below this add some of your content expertise bullets, making them match the language you see on the posting. Change your expertise bullets as needed for different positions.
Seeking an Admissions position where my abilities to promote and generate enthusiasm for an organization’s mission and make thorough, timely decisions are needed.
Relationship builder – demonstrated ability to build rapport and ongoing relationships with people of all ages and backgrounds using excellent listening, questioning and observation skills.
Through excellent customer service, quality products and timely delivery, increased new customer accounts by 20% while consistently maintaining established client base.
Note the use of action verbs and the absence of words like “responsible for”.
Don’t forget that you can also customize the accomplishments you choose to highlight, again looking for the ones that you think will be most relevant to the position you are applying for.
Make sure you match your words to the posting when possible. In the first bullet above, use customer service if the posting contains that language, but change it is to customer care if that’s what you see in the posting. These are sometimes referred to as key words that the search engines pick up.
Using these techniques will give your resume a much better chance of being selected from the database or pile. Now your resume may be printed out, or emailed to others and how it looks starts to count. A resume that is not too dense, with white space and a visually appealing format can make a difference. If the resume is visually unappealing and looks hard to read, the reader may pass it over or do a quick scan, and all your hard work in customizing and agonizing over the details will go unnoticed.
If you incorporate these approaches into your resume, you increase your chances of getting your resume noticed. Remember, no one resume fits all; customization and relevant content are the name of the game!
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