We all want to build the perfect resume. We all want to write the perfect cover letter. What’s the trick to getting noticed? Well, I can help you with that. I had a nice little conversation with my friend, who just happens to be a Human Resources Associate at a leading automotive parts manufacturer and deliverer. Yes, he’s the one who reads all your job applications and decides whether or not you’re fit for the job. This is not a drill folks, this is for real; it’s almost like you have your very own little cheat sheet. Read on, take notes, and use these tips when applying! And of course, you have my usual witty commentary to enjoy in the parentheses below!
Resume: What separates the good from the bad?
A good resume is well organized and formatted consistently throughout. Each section needs to be clearly identified with bulleted lists; dates and locations need to be located in the same place for each listing, and so on. A good resume is also specific to the job that you are applying to. For example, if the job description states that the applicant must be detail-oriented, you can rewrite one of your descriptors from a previous job or activity to say something along the lines of: Demonstrated attention to detail by doing such-and-such.
Spelling and grammar mistakes reflect VERY (yes very is capitalized and italicized for a reason – this is important people!) poorly on a resume, so make sure it is absolutely perfect before sending ot out. Font should be black and a standard Sans Serif font, such as Times New Roman or Calibri. (Remember guys, this is not an away message from the early 2000s. No multi-colored Comic Sans.) Resumes for those applying to creative positions such as graphic arts sometimes have a little more leeway with the formatting of the page.
Resume: How long do you actually spend looking at each one?
We receive hundreds of resumes a day, so it’s not unusual to spend less than 10 seconds (yes that’s all!) looking at each one. As such, make sure that the resume is formatted so we can find what we’re looking for easily.
Cover Letters: Are they necessary?
Whether or not a cover letter is required will usually depend on the employer. We do not ask applicants to provide them, nor do we read them when they do. Ever. (If only more companies were like this!)
If the company does ask you to write one, do not just rewrite your resume in sentence form. Pick out a few specific bullets from your experiences and use those to highlight why you are a good fit for the position. Expand on how a project you completed showed your leadership skills, for example. Make your overall goal to show exactly how the company will benefit from hiring you.
Cover Letters: How long should they be?
Keep cover letters to one page. (Short and sweet, just like this response).
How do certain people stick out over others?
It is a definite plus when it is clear that the applicant has taken time to format (there’s that key word again!) the resume for the specific job they are applying to instead of sending the same resume out constantly. It shows that they really want the position and are willing to put the extra effort in to get an interview. Seeing that an applicant is well rounded by showing different experiences and activities included on a resume is also a plus.
Are there certain general skills and experience you expect your applicants to have?
It’s always going to depend on the position the applicant is applying to, but usually having strong communication skills is essential regardless. Being able to write, interact, present succinctly, and be understood easily are all a must.
What would your biggest advice be to millennials currently applying?
Follow up, follow up, follow up. (Italicized and repeated, once again people this is important!) Recruiters and hiring managers often receive hundreds of applications for the same position. If you want to distinguish yourself from the pack, follow up with them consistently to ask about the status of your application. It shows that you really are interested in position. Usually emailing or calling the recruiter once per week is sufficient.
Special thanks to HRtechFeed for their HR Tech News service.
