Transparent Tech has found that good candidates often get overlooked because their resume does not show their value clearly. This is not usually about how talented they are. It is usually about how clear and relevant their resume is. Today recruiters have to look at a lot of resumes. They use software to filter them before a person even sees them. When a recruiter does look at a resume they usually only look at it for a few seconds. If the candidate’s value is not clear, they miss their chance. This is not about writing more on your resume.
Resumes Only Provide Past Accomplishments Not Future Potential
For this reason, it’s easy to see why resumes don’t provide the best insight into what the person really accomplished at their previous job. Most employers will know exactly what someone was hired to do by reviewing their job description. They want to see how the candidate did the job better than others.
For example:
- Weak version:
I was in charge of a sales team.
I did marketing campaigns.
- Stronger version:
I led a team of six people in sales and we made 28% money each quarter.
I started marketing campaigns that lowered the cost of getting customers by 35%.
The difference is that the stronger version proves what the candidate can do. Numbers make the candidates’ claims more believable. When the candidate can point to things they did it shows they were in charge. If the resume does not have numbers to back up the candidate’s claims it is hard to tell if they are really good at their job.
The Resume Looks the Same For Every Job
Sending the resume to every company usually does not work. Each job is a little different. The employer also wants to evaluate whether or not the candidate is familiar with the value of that position and the way they demonstrate it in their resume. It does not need to be rewritten. Just change the emphasis:
- Put the important information first
- Use words from the job description
- Take out information that’s not relevant to the job
When the resume shows that the candidate knows what the employer wants it is more likely to get noticed.
It Takes Long To Figure Out What The Resume Says
Recruiters usually just scan the resume at first. If it is hard to read they might miss information.
Some common mistakes are:
- Writing paragraphs instead of short bullet points.
- Resumes that are too fancy and confuse the computer programs that filter them
- Many colors or fonts that are hard to read
- Resumes that are too long and have too much information that is not necessary
Using a straightforward resume allows for a more clearer presentation of the candidate’s capabilities. The resume should be structured to provide an overview of the candidate’s abilities with respect to that position’s requirements, and not necessarily as a historical account of their life.
Buzzwords Are Not Information
Words like ” hard worker” and “team player” are on almost every resume. They do not mean anything because they are so common.
Instead of saying:
- I am a good leader
Show it:
- Had a team of 10 people, completed our jobs 2 weeks before the due date
Managed my team and assisted members to improve work performance. They moved up to more important roles. When the candidate can point to things they did it builds trust. Just saying they are good at something does not mean anything.
The Resume Only Has Numbers, Not What They Mean
Just having numbers on the resume is not enough. It is important to explain what they mean.
For example:
The website is faster.
Versus:
The website loads in 2.5 seconds or 6 seconds and that means 20% more people stay on the site.
The second example allows the reader to understand what those statistics represent. To be employed, employers require that all candidates be capable of exhibiting how their actions relate to the overall task. Therefore, a candidate who’s able to provide an explanation for how their statistics relate to the overall project is demonstrating an expertise in the way their job will help that outcome.
The Resume Does Not Show How The Candidate Has Grown
Employers look for people who are getting better at their jobs. Even if the candidate has the job title they should be taking on more responsibility over time.
The candidate can show they are getting better by:
- Managing budgets
- Leading Teams
- Doing complicated projects
- It’s hard to recognize how properly someone has evolved in their role if their resume no longer contains examples of such growth.
Evaluating the Quality of the Candidate’s People Skills
Being good at working with people is vital for doing a task. Instead of just listing people skills the candidate should show how they use them:
- I gave reports to people who were not experts in my field
- I worked with the design and product teams to make sure our projects were done on time
I helped our customers. They were happier with our service. This way the candidate can show they are good at working with people without saying it.
The Candidate Is Not Visible Online
A resume is not enough. Employers also look at what and how the candidate performs.
Some things the candidate can do are:
- Keep their LinkedIn page up to date
- Share things they know about their industry
- Show that they have certifications or have finished projects
When the candidate is visible online it makes them more believable and memorable.
Quick Checklist To Make The Resume Better
Before sending in the resume the candidate should ask themselves:
- Does the summary clearly say what the candidate is good at?
- Are the candidate’s achievements quantifiable and of relevance?
- Is the candidate’s resume easy to follow?
- Does every phase of the resume have a direct connection to the position that the candidate is looking for?
- Are there pieces of information on the resume that may be overlooked?
If candidates can say “yes” to the above questions, they may have more advanced resumes.
FAQs:
How long does a resume want to be?
A good rule for a person without much experience is one page of a resume. Two pages is good for people who have experience. If a candidate has extra pages of labor on their resume, they need to offer a reason for the length.
Are all jobs covered in a resume?
Only jobs that relate to the job the candidate is submitting should be included in the resume. Jobs that are not relevant can be left off.
Yes, if it indicates what the candidate’s most powerful talents are and assisting to establish wherein they would really like their career direction to steer.
What is the best time to replace a resume?
When something occurs, a candidate needs to update their resume; whether or not they receive a new certification, are promoted, and so on, if the character has to refresh their resume whilst looking for employment, this may be accomplished quickly.
Do design templates help?
Simple and professional templates are best. Templates that are too fancy can be hard to read. Might confuse the computer programs that filter resumes.
Conclusion:
A resume does not get noticed if it looks like all the others. The difference between getting an interview and not getting one often comes down to how clear and relevant the resume is. Good candidates show their experience in a way that makes sense, tailor their application to the job and make their value clear. When they do this and have the opportunities and use modern hiring tools, including access to reliable tech staffing solutions, like Transparent Tech, they are more likely to get noticed. Transparent Tech says that doing well in today’s job market is not about listing what you have done but, about presenting it in a way that makes sense and is meaningful.
