How to Think Like a Headhunter or Recruiter

Want to get an interview? Then begin to think like a Headhunter or Recruiter! Ask yourself specifically what is the position and exactly who are they looking for to fill it? What qualities do they appreciate in a candidate? Is company mission oriented "all hands on deck until the job is done" culture? Perform enough research to know where your skills, experiences, and values learned will be most readily identified as being "positive", and then give a brief career history highlighting those areas into your resume that bring on an "Aha!" from the reader. You will find that, more often than not, it will cause the recruiter to pick up the phone and call you in for an interview!

Istock photo

As a Headhunter or Recruiter, what keywords would you enter if you wanted to find the most qualified candidate for the job? Recruiters expect to find the right person by identifying the resume with the most keywords used in their initial job announcement/advertisement. Companies advertising online place relevant and desired "key words" into their resume screening program - Applicant Tracking System (ATF) software. ATF, also known as talent management systems (TMS) is used to garner, analyze, and coordinate resumes and applicant information. One important fact - these tracking systems screen out about one half of all resume submissions. Many unsuccessful online job seekers have long believed that their online resume submissions go into an obscure resume abyss. These futile job hunters may really be on to something! One reason, at least 40-50% of all online submissions by job hunters get screened as "not having the basic qualifications for the job" even though the submitter may truly have the qualifications. These candidates simply failed to place those qualifications into their resume via select keywords.

To make an impact, and prove you are qualified for a position, when applying for a position titled "operations manager" ensure that both of the title words - "operations" and "manager" are strategically placed in your resume (preferably in the top one third). Note: Another way to enter the chasm of resume doom is to confuse the screening/tracking software with the presentation of your information and dates in the "Job History" or "Experience" section. Always list the employer first and then list dates of employment (on the right side of the page).

Headhunters and Recruiters like "dynamic" "pop off of the page" verbiage! While your resume design should be presented in a simple, easy-to-read format to get the best results, each sentence within your "Skills/Value Added" and "Employment History" sections should start off with dynamic and anomalous action words. Such pop out lead-in's can include action words such as "Employed forward thinking leadership to motivate staff...", or "Led teams in operational and compliance initiatives, improving internal control, and financial results...".

Remember - It's not about you, it's all about the Headhunter or Recruiter and their company or the company they represent. Take a look at the company's website for clues to their values - can you align yourself with a company's culture (often defined by their mission statement)? Aligning yourself and your resume with the organization and its mission is extraordinarily important for success in any online resume submission.

copyright 2012 Metroplex Resume Service

Is Your Reference List Employer Ready???

Istock

When looking for employment in any industry, job seekers should have an up-to-date (most current information) professional reference list.  Unfortunately, many job seekers have a propensity to want to add this list to their resume.  However, a professional reference list should be created on a separate page and should not be forwarded with along with the resume, unless requested by an employer.  Savvy job candidates will have at least one copy of their reference list with them when going to an interview because they know that most employers typically ask applicants for references once the interview has ended. 

A professional reference list should include at least three names of past or present employers, supervisors, coworkers, instructors, or someone with whom you have performed volunteer work.  The list should not include any relatives, friends, or religious leaders unless a job seeker has worked or volunteered with them in a professional setting.  Before submitting a reference list to an employer, applicants should ask each individual on the list if they are willing to provide a positive reference.  The list should be contain each individual's full name, job title, relationship to the applicant (i.e. employer, co-worker), phone number, and email address.  

Job Seeker Tip of the day:  Fill out a blank application form at home with all of your information (including reference information) and take it with you when called for the interview.  This will ensure you have all of the information ready and available to fully complete the application.  It definitely will get attention!

Copyright 2012-13.

Writing an Impressive Resume

Istock

When most people write a resume, they assume that the resume's reader knows more than they do. Remember, when sending out your resume, it must clearly speak to its reader about you and your abilities.  When someone is reading your resume, you can't speak to explain any inconsistencies, clear up any confusion, or fill in things that are missing to its reader.  That is why your resume must paint a picture of you and your abilities...

Understand Your Viewer(s)

A large amount of resumes are ineffective for the reason that their creators fail to concentrate on the employer’s wants and needs for the position.  You can easily win an interview for the job if your resume demonstrates how you can add value to your target business.

If you can’t tell an employer why they should hire you, then why should they?  You must know what employers are looking for. Employers hire new employees to solve a problem or take advantage of an opportunity, whether it's an entry-level position, or a senior leadership role. Employers don’t just create an available job just for fun.

This is why you should not begin to write your resume until you have identified the type of companies you are want to work for and researched them to understand their needs.

Create Impact

Employers reading your resume have just one question: "What's in it for me? They want to know that you have made an impact on other companies. That's why the bulk of your resume must be focused on IMPACT, not responsibilities.

Your resume must demonstrate what impact you had in your prior positions and so that the employer can begin to imagine the impact you will have their business.

Replacing old, tired, overused lists responsibilities with energetic accomplishment bullet points is a guaranteed way to increase your resume response rate.

Use Design Effectively

Design is the aspect of resume writing that is most often overlooked by busy job seekers - but it's incredibly important. Your resume will initially be scanned for 20 seconds or less before a decision is made about whether your resume belongs on the "no" pile. In order to make it past that first screen, you need to ensure that your key selling points jump off the page at first glance, so they should be strategically placed in the upper one third of your resume.

Remember, a badly designed resume results in lost interviews, so do not skimp on this important stage of the hiring process. If you cannot make a standout resume, then it is time to hire an expert!  After all, it's the interview and the job you are after...




Copyright 2012-14 Metroplex Resume Service

The Meaningless Objective Statement

Are you still using an Objective Statement on your resume? If so, you should remove it.  Objective statements are meaningless to employers.  However, for some unknown reason, many job seekers (and resume writers) continue to use them.  

Employers know, as should you, that your objective is to get the job - so the objective statement is usually considered by them to be meaningless fluff. Hiring managers really don't care to read about your objective, they want to know about you and what you can do for their company. So, save your valuable resume space for a branding statement or summary that gives the reader a reason to continue reading your resume and call you in for an interview.