The #1 thing that will make you stand out in your job search is your RESUME.
Virtually all job seekers make the same big mistake costing them being noticed.
The big mistake is using an old-school, outdated resume format. It’s the type of resume filled with one, two, or even three pages of bullets describing your functional job duties. YAWN.
It does nothing to make you stand out.
Here’s a stat that shocks most job seekers:
80% of resumes fail in less than 11 seconds. (Source: Financial Post).
Read that again. Yes, less than 11 seconds.
Most job seekers think hiring managers read resumes a bit like you’d devour a novel–taking in every word. Not the case.
Hiring managers only SKIM your resume in those 11 seconds.
11 seconds isn’t a lot of time…so what gets read in those 11 seconds?
1. Company name and title.
2. Start and end dates.
3. Education. If I’m looking for a specific certificate, diploma or degree, my skim may start (and end) with education.
4. Lastly, I’ll dash back to the top of your resume to look for your city or area code to see if we’re located in the same region.
That’s it. That’s all that gets read in those first 11 seconds. It’s what determines whether you’re getting a call. Yeah, I know. It’s a shocker.
You might also be thinking…. there are a lot of things that didn’t get read. You’re right!
Here are the items that get ZERO attention in those first 11 seconds:
1. Target position. It doesn’t get read because it’s rarely targeted.
It’s usually something like this, “I’m looking for a rewarding and demanding career within a growth-oriented environment that will utilize my skills and experience, with the opportunity to advance.”
I have no idea if you’d like to be the receptionist or the sales manager.
I am a fan of using a target position category, if it’s done correctly. It simply needs to be the exact position title of the job you’re applying for.
2. Career Summary or Career Profile. This section doesn’t get read. It doesn’t get read because it doesn’t tell me anything interesting about your background. It only tells me what business buzzwords you like! Teamwork, problem-solving skills, leadership, analytical, customer service, etc.
Most job seekers use at least the top quarter or even top third of the first page of their resume for this section. Unless you need filler, skip it all together! The more interesting stuff you can get on the first page of your resume, the better! The interesting stuff is in your career history and education.
3. All of those mind-numbing bullets….DON’T GET READ! I just heard you gasp. It’s true. Those mind-numbing bullets are your functional job duties. And, you know what? The hiring manager can tell (largely) what your job is/was by the title so, they don’t read those silly bullets you’ve sweated over writing.
4. Interests don’t get read…because they’re rarely interesting. They look the same as the last 47 resumes the hiring manager has read: hiking, snowboarding, wine tasting, craft beer…you get the point. I love a good interests section but don’t blend into the woodwork. Use this section to share something fun and interesting about you!
The FASTEST way to get noticed in your job search is to ditch the old-school functional resume. Yes, you’re going to delete all those mind-numbing bullets.
After personally interviewing hundreds and hundreds of candidates, (all of whom had functional resumes), I created a resume formula that made job seekers complete standouts and made their job interviews incredibly EASY. Yes, an easy job interview.
Here is my 2-step resume formula that’s been a game-changer for job seekers at all career levels, globally:
Step 1: In 1 – 3 sentences (yes, sentences, no bullets) answer:
1. What level did you report to by title?
2. Explain very briefly what is/was your job. (HINT – 5 bullets is NOT brief.)
3. What’s your scope or territory if applicable?
4. How many others did the same job?
Step 2: This is where the MAGIC happens. It’s all about results. Look at each of your bullets and ask “Is there something to measure”? If there isn’t, it’s part of your job function and it goes into step 1.
Ask:
How big?
How much?
How many?
You’re digging for results. Think numbers, percentages and rankings.
Step 2 always starts with the words:
Key Successes:
Key Achievements:
Or
Achievements:
Use whatever words resonate with you. Keep it consistent and put your results under each one of your jobs. Bold and underline. You want the hiring manager to know there’s something essential to read in Step 2. And, YES, this is where bullets are OK!
If you’d like to read more examples of how to write your resume with my 2-step formula, there’s loads of examples and visuals in my latest 2nd edition version of “Hired!” How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.”