Views from international HR professionals
1. "When it comes to getting a job, who you know really does
matter. No matter how nice
your resume is or how great your experience may be, it's all about connections."
your resume is or how great your experience may be, it's all about connections."
– HR director at a
health-care facility
2. "If you're trying to get a job at a specific company, often
the best thing to do is to avoid HR entirely. Find someone at the company you
know, or go straight to the hiring manager."
– Shauna Moerke, an HR
administrator in Alabama who blogs at hrminion.com
3. "People assume someone's reading their cover letter. I haven't read one in 11 years."
– HR director at a financial services firm
4. "We will judge you based on your e-mail address. Especially
if it's something inappropriate like kinkyboots101@hotmail.com or
johnnylikestodrink@gmail.com."
– Rich DeMatteo, a
recruiting consultant in
Philadelphia
5. "If you're in your 50s or 60s, don't put the year you
graduated on your resume."
– HR professional at a midsize firm in North Carolina
6. "There's a myth out there that a resume has to be one page.
So people send their resume in a two-point font. Nobody is going to read
that."
– HR director at a financial services firm
7. "I always read resumes from
the bottom up. And I have no problem with a two-page resume, but three pages is
pushing it."
– Sharlyn Lauby, HR
consultant in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
8. "Most of us use applicant-tracking systems that scan
resumes for key words. The secret to getting your resume through the system is
to pull key words directly from the job description and put them on. The more
matches you have, the more likely your resume will get picked and actually seen
by a real person."
– Chris Ferdinandi, HR
professional in the Boston area
9. "Resumes don't need color to stand out. When I see a little
color, I smirk. And when I see a ton of color, I cringe. And walking in and
dropping off your resume is no longer seen as a good thing. It's actually a
little creepy."
– Rich DeMatteo
Words you should never use in your CV/Resume
Your
resume is the often the first impression an employer has of you. That 8 1/2 x 11
inch document often holds the power to get you in the 'yes' or 'no' pile for an
interview. I get dozens of e-mails of resumes for review each week from people who are struggling to
land the coveted interview. You'd be amazed at how many people forget this
is a document they are writing about themselves. Which means, over-stating your
abilities sounds boastful and even worse. The following are words
I've personally seen used on resumes. If you want to come across as the
"talented yet humble" professional that you really are, consider
eliminating these words from it:
1. Guru: No, you are not a mystical person from another physical
realm. You are a professional who uses your intellect to get results.
2. Emperor: You are also not the head of a foreign country.
3. Star: Well, unless you are in a band that sells out stadiums weekly, you can't claim this one.
4. Awesome: Sorry, this doesn't make your CV stand out.
5. Gifted: Who told you that?
6. Principled: You don't need to tell them you have rules and follow them.
2. Emperor: You are also not the head of a foreign country.
3. Star: Well, unless you are in a band that sells out stadiums weekly, you can't claim this one.
4. Awesome: Sorry, this doesn't make your CV stand out.
5. Gifted: Who told you that?
6. Principled: You don't need to tell them you have rules and follow them.
7. Unconventional: So you like to break rules and buck management?
The key to selecting the right words to use on a resume is objectivity.
·
Stick to the facts.
·
Use quantifiable accomplishments to prove your worth.
That way, you don't have to
try to over-sell yourself using terms that will only make you look bad.
Resume mistakes
You can design your resume to appear modern and appropriate
for today's job search, but it
is equally important to include relevant content to appeal to the hiring
manager. Most companies today are using a computerized system (known as an
applicant tracking system, or ATS) to evaluate your materials; this means a
human is not likely to see your resume unless you pass the initial,
computerized scan. If you do not identify key words and phrases from the job
description, or forget to incorporate the most important content in your
resume, you may lose your chance for an interview – and it may have nothing to
do with your age or experience.
Keep these tips in mind so your resume will make the cut:
1. Use keywords.
Study job descriptions to identify what the employer wants and include key words in your document. For example, job titles are keywords – use your targeted job title in your resume's headline. Incorporate nouns and noun phrases describing the skills the employer is seeking. For example, "cross-functional teams and internal and external customer service." Include degrees, certifications, and memberships – all may be keywords for the job.
Keep these tips in mind so your resume will make the cut:
1. Use keywords.
Study job descriptions to identify what the employer wants and include key words in your document. For example, job titles are keywords – use your targeted job title in your resume's headline. Incorporate nouns and noun phrases describing the skills the employer is seeking. For example, "cross-functional teams and internal and external customer service." Include degrees, certifications, and memberships – all may be keywords for the job.
2. Use up-to-date
language to reflect modern skills.
Avoid old-fashioned references and language that makes the reader think you are stuck in the past or lacking useful skills. For example, while some offices still use fax machine, don't highlight your ability to fax a document as if it's your most important accomplishment. If you work with computer programs, be sure to reference the most up-to-date software versions.
Avoid old-fashioned references and language that makes the reader think you are stuck in the past or lacking useful skills. For example, while some offices still use fax machine, don't highlight your ability to fax a document as if it's your most important accomplishment. If you work with computer programs, be sure to reference the most up-to-date software versions.
3. Highlight relevant skills.
If you work in customer service, demonstrate your ability to use social media in your resume to help distinguish you from other applicants. If your skills are lacking, sign up for some classes or look for online opportunities to learn new information. Then, include the course work or just list the new skills in your resume. Don't underestimate informal ways to learn new things; you may be surprised by how much you can pick up by watching YouTube videos.
4. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.
One stereotype some employers may have about experienced workers is that they may have a hard time learning new things. How can you show you're ready, willing, and able to learn? Emphasize how you've used up-to-date tools, and showcase accomplishments related to those tools. For example, even if you're unemployed, consider creating a YouTube channel for a non-profit organization where you volunteer. If the non-profit reaches more people via the channel and increases their donations, you will have a great story for your resume that also makes it clear you aren't stuck in 1995.
If you work in customer service, demonstrate your ability to use social media in your resume to help distinguish you from other applicants. If your skills are lacking, sign up for some classes or look for online opportunities to learn new information. Then, include the course work or just list the new skills in your resume. Don't underestimate informal ways to learn new things; you may be surprised by how much you can pick up by watching YouTube videos.
4. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.
One stereotype some employers may have about experienced workers is that they may have a hard time learning new things. How can you show you're ready, willing, and able to learn? Emphasize how you've used up-to-date tools, and showcase accomplishments related to those tools. For example, even if you're unemployed, consider creating a YouTube channel for a non-profit organization where you volunteer. If the non-profit reaches more people via the channel and increases their donations, you will have a great story for your resume that also makes it clear you aren't stuck in 1995.
5. Highlight results.
Avoid phrases such as, "responsible for" or "assisted in;" these are dated ways to describe what you offer. If the description asks for a detailed, customer-service oriented candidate, don't say, "Responsible for providing strong customer service and answering phones." Instead, include specifics, and highlight skills and results: "Use strong attention to detail to provide customer service support to patients, guests, and staff. Answer telephones, transcribe messages, and route calls, resulting in winning customer service awards (2011 and 2012)."
When you create bullet points that draw direct connections between what you did and what the employer wants you to do, it will be easier for the reader to envision you in the job.
6. Don't cling to the past.
A mistake many job seekers make is they insist on including an in-depth work history, even if it does not interest the employer. Make every word count: Review your resume and compare it to job descriptions. Highlight the parts of your resume that relate specifically to your target job. If the majority of your resume is not highlighted, it is time for a major overhaul.
Avoid phrases such as, "responsible for" or "assisted in;" these are dated ways to describe what you offer. If the description asks for a detailed, customer-service oriented candidate, don't say, "Responsible for providing strong customer service and answering phones." Instead, include specifics, and highlight skills and results: "Use strong attention to detail to provide customer service support to patients, guests, and staff. Answer telephones, transcribe messages, and route calls, resulting in winning customer service awards (2011 and 2012)."
When you create bullet points that draw direct connections between what you did and what the employer wants you to do, it will be easier for the reader to envision you in the job.
6. Don't cling to the past.
A mistake many job seekers make is they insist on including an in-depth work history, even if it does not interest the employer. Make every word count: Review your resume and compare it to job descriptions. Highlight the parts of your resume that relate specifically to your target job. If the majority of your resume is not highlighted, it is time for a major overhaul.
Should I put this on my
resume?
Are you a 5-foot-7 female who has three dogs, loves skydiving
and makes a killer pizza? Unless you're applying for a job as a dog walker,
skydiving instructor or fast-food caterer, these details do not belong on your resume.
Resumes should only include information that is relevant to the position for
which you're applying, was requested by the employer or makes it easy for them
to contact you. Anything superfluous; hobbies and personal attributes for
example should not be shared. Yet it's not always easy to decide what should
stay and what should go. While every situation is unique, and it's important to
take the job and employer requirements into account, there are some general
rules for what does and doesn't have a place on your resume. Here is some
advice on seven common resume question marks:
1. Home address.
While not everyone is comfortable with sharing such private information, I recommend including your address. Not listing your address on your resume will make things more challenging for you, It will be an immediate question mark for employers as to why there is no address listed. They may even perceive it as you not living near the position you are applying for. You're more likely to be eliminated for not including it than to be employed. Just make sure that you've done your research on the company to ensure its legitimacy before sharing any contact information.
2. Reference information.
"Never include reference information; you don't want your references being bothered by employers, especially if you don't know that you want the job," says Bruce Hurwitz, president and CEO of Hurwitz Strategic Staffing. Once there is mutual interest, then provide the references. And remember: Always speak to your references first before sharing their details with prospective companies.
3. A disability.
There is a common and not unfounded fear that revealing a disability on the resume may lead to not being selected for a position, which makes the disclosure choice a difficult one. A resume is a springboard for you to give details about your skills, experience and the unique perspectives you bring to the table. You should not explicitly state your disability, but you can weave in your professional experience and hobbies that may be disability-related, such as volunteer work or awards received. Then in the interview you can use these achievements to break the ice about your disability if you choose to.
4. Grade point average.
It's great if you graduated from college with a
4.0 (or 6.0 if your institution uses a 7-point system), but if you did so 10 years ago, it's probably time to remove your GPA from
your resume. A person's GPA would normally only be listed on the resume
if he/she recently graduated from college, and if the
GPA is below a 3.0, it is usually best to leave it off. Feel free to keep on
any special academic status or awards you may have achieved.
The exception? Some companies may request a GPA, so read the
application before removing it. In certain circumstances, a GPA would
remain on longer ... some job listings require a certain GPA minimum.
5. Objective.
A decade ago, many resumes included objectives. Today, most experts agree that they're just taking up valuable space. The real objective is to get the job. If it is too generic, it means nothing. If it is not a perfect match for the job, the employer will ask herself, Why is he applying if he wants something else? It's a waste of space and has no advantage.
6. A photo.
If you're pursuing a modeling career, you'd understandably want to share a photo of yourself with the prospective employer. For most other jobs, leave the photo off. If information isn't relevant to a job, you wouldn't include it, so why would you share a photo when your appearance has nothing to do with the position? If you do, you're putting the employer in an uncomfortable situation, because if you aren't hired, it could technically lead to potential discriminatory action. The same situation applies for sharing other personal attributes, such as race, age or religion, unless you're required to.
7. Quick response code.
QR codes -- bar codes that can be scanned by smartphones to download or link to information are growing in popularity as a tool to connect employers with a candidate's portfolio or LinkedIn profile. If you're debating about including one on your resume, consider the type of job for which you're applying. If it's a social-media or technology-driven role, using one will show that you're up on the latest trends. If it's a more traditional job, it may be better to give it a pass.
QR codes are cool, but unless you're in a situation where they make sense, leave them out. Also, if you're referring someone to a website, it must be optimized for mobile technology."
And don't just include a QR code for show. it should link to something interesting and applicable. Connecting the employer to an online replica of your resume or a poorly written and sparsely updated site won't score any points.
5. Objective.
A decade ago, many resumes included objectives. Today, most experts agree that they're just taking up valuable space. The real objective is to get the job. If it is too generic, it means nothing. If it is not a perfect match for the job, the employer will ask herself, Why is he applying if he wants something else? It's a waste of space and has no advantage.
6. A photo.
If you're pursuing a modeling career, you'd understandably want to share a photo of yourself with the prospective employer. For most other jobs, leave the photo off. If information isn't relevant to a job, you wouldn't include it, so why would you share a photo when your appearance has nothing to do with the position? If you do, you're putting the employer in an uncomfortable situation, because if you aren't hired, it could technically lead to potential discriminatory action. The same situation applies for sharing other personal attributes, such as race, age or religion, unless you're required to.
7. Quick response code.
QR codes -- bar codes that can be scanned by smartphones to download or link to information are growing in popularity as a tool to connect employers with a candidate's portfolio or LinkedIn profile. If you're debating about including one on your resume, consider the type of job for which you're applying. If it's a social-media or technology-driven role, using one will show that you're up on the latest trends. If it's a more traditional job, it may be better to give it a pass.
QR codes are cool, but unless you're in a situation where they make sense, leave them out. Also, if you're referring someone to a website, it must be optimized for mobile technology."
And don't just include a QR code for show. it should link to something interesting and applicable. Connecting the employer to an online replica of your resume or a poorly written and sparsely updated site won't score any points.
Post a comment.
Like our facebook page, and follow us on twitter @dwealth4all
No comments:
Post a Comment