Scratching my head…reviewing resumes…

So I am back in the role of reviewing resumes for two positions for a client.  Now keep in mind, I am not a professional HR person but often in small companies, those of us hiring are not HR professionals.  I usually enjoy this process because I like finding those few candidates that pique my interest and stand out.  But at the same time, it leaves me very frustrated and shaking my head, wondering, what in the world are some of these candidates thinking?

Here are a few tips from someone who has reviewed a number of resumes and sorts them out in to the “No, thank you”, “Second Glance” and “We need to talk to this person”.

1. Proof-read, no matter what, there is no excuse for typos or grammatical errors.  This is your one and only shot of being in front of the screener’s eyes.  Don’t waste it by not proof-reading your resume and cover letter.  Set it aside for a night or even better have someone else read it before you send it.  Read it backwards one sentence at a time to check for errors.
2. Always provide a professionally formatted resume and cover letter.  NEVER depend upon an automated template system and leave it at that.  Show me you have put some effort into writing, formatting and customizing each for the company which you are applying.  If you depend on just pressing the Apply Button on a job board and thinking that is going to get you an interview.  You are completely wrong.  Applicants that don’t take time to create an actual document to send me and take the lazy way out of just pressing the Apply Button go to the bottom of the stack, most likely to never get looked at.  If you do not know how to prepare a professional formated resume, there are plenty of resources on the internet including templates from Microsoft and Google or reach out to your local library.  The library often has people on staff who can help you with your resume and cover letter.
3. In your cover letter, show that you have researched the company.  Talk about a few lines of our business and how your experiences can help us.  You want to show the employer how you can be an asset to them, not what you are looking for the employer to do for you.  You are trying to sell yourself to get your foot in the door for an interview.  Take the time in your cover letter to explain items on your resume that may stand out.  Explain why there may be gaps in your work history, why you changed career paths and how each career has helped to build upon the other.  The worst thing you can do is leave your resume open to interpretations and assumptions.  Make sure you use proper formal letter formatting.  Try to research the company and find out who the hiring manager is or the HR Director.  Personalize the letter to those individuals rather than a generic Sir or Madam.  Even if you get the names wrong, you will show you made an effort.
4. On your resumes – make sure to use dates, month and year are nice, but years at a minimum.  Always list past employers names.  One recent resume I received one had two out of four employers listed.  Do you not think I am going to think something is wrong by you trying to cover it up or hoping I do not notice?  Be straightforward, I respect honesty and learning from mistakes. We will be able to find out what happened.  It is just a little digging and a few phone calls.  I prefer to give you the benefit of the doubt and hear your explanations.  Make sure you use a proper and consistent format.  There are many ways to write and present a resume.  I prefer simple, clean formats over fancy.  But that may vary by profession and position.  Pick one that is suitable for your industry.  Make sure you use action words and give details.  Don’t assume I know what you did, I don’t, I can’t read your mind.  Sell yourself, but NEVER lie.  There are not set lengths  on resumes.  Take enough room to list all of your experiences.  Multiple pages with lots of words (not white space) do not bother me, again it shows you have put effort into your resume.
5. Make sure your name, address, phone and email are easy to find.  At the top of your resume or below your name on your cover letter are perfect.  Also, make sure your email address is something professional.  If you do not have one, set one up on one of the free services.
6. No matter what, DO NOT CALL, the hiring company.  We will call you when it is time to set-up for an interview.  If we are good, we will send you an email that status of filling the position periodically or when it has been filled.  I think it is just common courtesy on our part to do so.
7. Please read through the job posting details.  If you are requested to supply a cover letter, resume, references, transcript, writing samples, etc. make sure you do so.  If you fail to do so, we are going to assume that you can not follow instructions and we will wonder if you will be able to do so once hired.  Most employers will not take that risk.  Don’t be put in the “No, Thank You” pile simply by not following instructions.
8. If you are asked to give references, make sure they are professional unless personal are specified.  Professional means supervisors, co-workers or subordinates.  A minimum of three are typical, but if you can provide more, that shows you have confidence in your past work history.
9. This is a big one and probably the most important.  Try to research the company’s culture and work environment.  Is this the type of environment in which you excel?  Are there things in the company’s culture which you disagree with?  If you do get an interview, make sure you ask questions which reveal the manager’s management style.    If there is not a match, then by all means, pass on this job.  The worst thing you can do is go through an interview process and not know anything about a company’s culture and accept a position only to find you have a conflict with it.  You need to find the right match for you just as they need to find the right match for them.

I am sure I am missing some points, but will add to this post as I come across them.  As we progress through the interview process, I will try to write another post with more tips.  Good luck in your job search!

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