Learn how to best present the real “you”.
Hate the chore of updating you’re resume? We get it! We’re happy to provide coaching and help. While we cannot re-write candidate resumes, we may coach you to place information where it can be more easily read, and in a format that the client wants to see.
Want to short-cut the hiring cycle? So do we. Here are some tips that we’ve learned over the years.
We look at dozens of untold resumes every business day, and those resumes that follow these suggested guidelines are those that get a much closer look from us and our client organizations.
Read the requirements and job descriptions carefully. Take notes! Make sure your resume meets all requirements that are “mandatory” such as years of experience, security clearance/citizenship, type of degree, certifications and so forth. And look for what they call “Nice to have” so that you can bring that out in both your resume and cover letter.
Put your name, address (or at least your city and state), cell phone number and email on your resume. Ideally you should use your cell phone number, and indicate “Cell/text” if you can accept text messages in case you’re busy and can’t immediately talk. ALL of our jobs require people with excellent verbal and written communications skills, and we will call you to discuss you, the job and to see how well you communicate. (We get about a dozen resumes each year without phone numbers, which are discarded.) Include your LinkedIn profile underneath your contact so that it can be clicked by the hiring manager.
Create a “Summary” section (not “Objective” as many will tell you) that briefly describes you, your experience, your education, security clearance, years of experience; if you’re open to relocation, simply state “Open to relocation” at the end of your Summary Section. One or two paragraphs is good.
Many technical candidates have a section entitled “Technical Skills” or “Technical Experience.” Generally, we like these, and find them to be especially helpful in key word searches. If you do build that section, list it before “Professional Experience.”
“Professional Experience” outlines your work experience relevant to the position you wish to be hired for. Don’t just say where you worked– describe what positive things you ACCOMPLISHED. If you brought a project in under budget, if you shorted a delivery cycle, if you tightened up security, if you made a client happy, if you saved them a bunch of money, then SAY SO. Bullet points are good. Use as many as you can instead of typing out a bunch of text to wade through.
Use headings for each section. Ideally you would have headings on your resume in this order (with supporting text under each): “Summary”, “Clearance & Citizenship”, “Certifications”, “Education”, “Technical Skills” and “Professional Experience.” If you’re a veteran, list your military service dates or end.
Generally speaking, detail is good. Don’t be afraid of a multiple page resume. And again, accomplishments and successes are GREAT, rather than a “I was there.”
Finally, create a separate cover letter that discusses why you meet ALL (or at least 90%) of the requirements and job description. (Remember we asked you to take notes– right?) This is the mark of a real professional and shows that you’ve taken the time and energy to read the requirements carefully.
We know this goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Don’t lie, don’t exaggerate, and don’t try to stretch into something you’re not quite ready for.
