Gaining employment has become very hard with the online process. Sadly, human resources has lost the human factor. In a world where we are so connected, we are even more disconnected then we have ever been before.
From a HR professional, my advice is read the job advertisement, and make sure your resumè and cover letter includes keywords, and addresses the key criteria.
It’s not as simple as just writing what you’ve done!
A resume is a document that outlines your qualifications for a job. It includes your work history, education, and skills. A well-written resume can help you get the job you want. But how do you write a resume that will get you the job? There are a few things to keep in mind when writing your resume. Here are some tips:
- Keep it professional
- Use action words
- Highlight your accomplishments
- Tailor it to the job you’re applying for
- Use simple, clear language
- Make sure there are no grammar or spelling errors
- Ask someone else to proofread it for you
What to include in a resume
When writing a resume, there are certain elements that should always be included in order to make sure it is effective. These elements are:
1. Your contact information – This should include your full name, address, email address and phone number.
2. A professional summary – This is a brief overview of your skills and experience that should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
3. Skills – In this section, list any skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. This might include computer skills, language skills or other transferable skills.
4. Work history – Next, you’ll want to list your professional experience in reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent job and work your way back. Include the company name, your job title, dates of employment and a brief description of your duties and responsibilities for each role. Highlight your accomplishments!
5. Education and qualifications – List any relevant educational qualifications you have, as well as any professional certifications or licenses you hold.
6. Hobbies and interests – You can optionally include a section on hobbies and interests but only do so if they are relevant to the job or will make you stand out from other candidates. For example, if you are applying for a job in social media, including that you are an active user of various social media platforms would be beneficial.
How to make your resume stand out
In order to make your resume stand out, you should:
1. Highlight your unique skills, and qualifications.
2. Use a modern and professional design.
3. Use clear and concise language.
4. Tailor your resume for the specific job you are applying for.
5. Include relevant keywords that will help you get found online.
Applicant Tracking Systems
Recruitment platforms use software programs that scan resumes for keywords. Recruiters have their top 10 resumes picked by an Applicant Tracking System, that has been set to find pre selected criteria.
If your resume contains the keywords the employer wants, then the ATS will rank you higher in the search results, giving you a better chance of getting your application through to the next round.
To give yourself the best chance, you must tailor your resume to the job you are applying for, everything depends on how good you can write a resume.
An estimated 75% of resumes are rejected before reaching the hiring manager, unfortunately there are many people who make great employees, and miss out because they can’t write a resume that meets the ATS requirements.
Interviews are done by pre recorded video where a psychometric profile can be completed solely on voice analysis by not only using your responses but the analysing your tone, pitch and words you use to deliver your answer, even how long you deliberate on a question.
Ultimately, this is your sales tool. Make sure you are truly selling yourself for the role you want.