The reality is that the modern job search is complicated by evolving technology. Technology makes it easier for job seekers to apply to TONS of jobs via the internet. However, on the receiving end, it requires more effort to receive and sort through the large volume of resumes received. To handle the volume in a systematic, organized, and impartial manner, technology is used to receive and filter resumes. The key is to understand how sending your resume with technology can work for you – not against you.

HOW DOES TECHNOLOGY READ MY RESUME?

The vast majority of companies utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software to receive, review and store resumes. But that’s not their only function. The primary technological benefit hiring managers and recruiters get from ATS is that the systems filter candidates OUT. The ATS system reads your resume and compares it to the job description. If your resume is not ATS friendly or keyword optimized to the job description, you will be filtered out before a human ever reads it – regardless of your qualifications.

PASSING THE TECHNOLOGY FILTER

Understanding the challenge you face is only half the battle. But, if you’ve come this far and you “get it” – you’ve come a long way. Now, to pass the ATS test, you need to focus on three key areas to improve your results. Let’s review each now.

#1 – KEEP IT SIMPLE

If you need to write your resume and don’t know where to start, the internet has thousands (if not more) free templates to help you. The problem is most cannot be read by ATS systems. Stay away from fancy fonts, graphics and formatting – keep it simple. Use standard fonts such as Calibri, Arial or Verdana. Keep your headings simple (Skills, Work Experience, Education) and well-organized with the appropriate white space around each section for definition. List your work experience in chronological order, or you risk confusing the ATS system and being filtered out.

#2 – KEYWORDS COUNT

As I said previously, the ATS compares your resume with the job description looking for a specific keyword match. Keywords can be skills, abilities, credentials or other qualities that the job description contains. You should review the job description to identify the keywords included. Look for hard and soft skills. Keep in mind that hard skills are usually more important than soft skills. But a mix of both is important. Once you have identified the Keywords needed, find a way to include the ones that apply to you on your resume.

#3 – TAILOR EVERY RESUME

Remember, the ATS wants specific keywords to see a match. Therefore, to increase your chances of passing the ATS filter, you must tailor every resume for every position. Yes, this is time-consuming and a lot of work. But it’s necessary if you want the job. Why? Because in today’s job market, jobs with the same titles can require very different skills and abilities (keywords) from different companies. Even positions with the same company but in different departments can require different skills.

TAKE-AWAY

The bottom line, sending your resume and waiting is no longer an option. Technology can work for you or against you. If your resume is effectively communicating your skills, abilities, and qualifications and you are applying to positions you are qualified for, you should expect 3 calls from every ten resumes you send out.

NEED HELP

Ready to get your job search off the ground? Schedule a complimentary session here. We’ll discuss your needs and ways that we can help you.

To Your Success!

The post Three Key Reasons You’re Not Getting Calls After Sending Your Resume appeared first on EZ Resume Services.

A recent report found that an estimated 61% of Americans that are currently on the job hunt are hoping to switch up their career entirely. That means that well over half of job seekers aren’t just looking for a new employer–they’re looking for a new field.

The job market is competitive and employers are increasingly using applicant tracking systems to sift through applications, which means your resume needs to pass the test.

Whether you’re part of that 61% who want to make a big leap or you’re simply ready to try out your skills under a new employer, my resume writing tips are guaranteed to help.

You’ve looked through the other job resources I’ve compiled for job seekers. Now, read on for my top 13 resume writing tips that will boost your job application to the top of the pile. 

1. Narrow Down Your Career Goals

Before you begin drafting your resume, it’s important to think about your career goals and start getting specific. What kinds of jobs appeal to you and what are the starting places for those industries? Where do you see yourself in the next five years and what steps will it take to get there?
When you understand your own career goals, you can start digging deeper into your industry of choice and learn more about what employers in that industry are looking for in an ideal candidate. In fact, that’s why our questionnaire and phone consultation are a key part of our process. We want to make sure we understand who you are as a candidate and what kind of message you want to send with your resume. 

2. Make a List of Your Relevant Experience

Now that you have a snapshot of the ideal candidate in mind, how do you stack up? Think about your educational background, your volunteer work, and your work experience. Start making a list of not only the positions you’ve held but the opportunities you had and the skills you gained from those experiences that prepared you to move forward with your career goals. 

3. Look for Keywords in Job Listings

Remember those applicant tracking systems I mentioned earlier? Those systems have a tendency to weed out applications that don’t appear relevant–before an actual human has even had a chance to review your resume.

How does this work? For starters, the application tracking system may scan your resume for relevant keywords–which you may be able to find in the job listing. 

Read the “Requirements” and “Qualifications” sections closely. Look for industry terminology or verbiage that stands out. If you can incorporate any of these words into your resume in a natural (and honest) way, do so.

4. Ditch the Generic Resume Template

Rather than heading to any old professional resume generator, take a look at sample resumes from your ideal field. You’ll find that there are subtle differences in order, formatting, and length from one field to the next. For example, a government resume is often pages long, while most employers in the private sector don’t want to see more than one page.

If you do rely on a template, make sure to make it your own. Don’t leave in sections that aren’t relevant to you or that you can’t fill out. 

5. Use Active Language

You want your resume to be exciting and attention-grabbing, so make sure to use active language. This includes words like “achieved,” “earned,” “accomplished,” and “improved.” Active language often allows you to shorten long sentences without losing meaning or impact. 

6. Cut Out Words That Don’t Benefit Your Resume

Just like there are words that can bolster your resume, there are words that can cheapen or detract from your resume. Most of them are descriptors that sound good but most employers expect from all employees. These include things like “self-motivated,” “team player,” and “hard worker,” which often read as filler in a skills section.  

7. Start With the Most Important Information

Nine times out of ten, you’re going to want to put your resume in chronological order. However, you should still do your best to prioritize the most important information.

For example, if your educational background is more relevant than your job experience, start with your educational background. If you held several responsibilities in your current job, start with the one that’s closest to what you’ll be doing in your future job–even if it isn’t the biggest responsibility you have now.

8. Venture Beyond Your Job Duties

When you’re describing your work history, don’t be afraid to go beyond your job duties in favor of your specific accomplishments. For example, imagine that one of your job duties was archiving important documents and in that process, you came up with a new and improved filing system that your superior loved. Reference that accomplishment rather than leaving it at, “Filed important documents.” 

9. Quantify Your Achievements When Possible

One thing most employers love to see is a quantifiable achievement. In other words, if you can reasonably claim that your achievements led to a 25% increase in sales or a financial savings of 15%, go ahead and include that information. Including numbers can help solidify your achievements and make them more concrete to a future employer. 

10. Proofread Before Hitting Submit

The last thing you want to do is spend time and effort putting together a resume only to send it in with grammatical errors or typos. Not only can typos trip up the applicant tracking system and get your application tossed out but a poorly proofread resume can come across as sloppy.

We have a tendency to autocorrect our mistakes when we’re reviewing our own work. After all, we wrote those words, so we know exactly what they’re meant to say. Having a third party go over your resume before you send it to a potential employer increases your chances of catching those easy-to-fix but hard-to-spot errors. 

11. Decide if Multiple Resumes Are Necessary

Depending on the variety of job applications you tend to complete, you may be able to get away with pairing the same resume with different cover letters. However, it’s up to you to decide if creating multiple unique resumes for different positions will better your odds of landing an interview.

If the resume you’ve put together is catered very directly to one job listing, it may be a good idea to reformat or reword a separate resume for other jobs. No matter how many jobs you’re applying for, you’re always going to want to revisit your resume after reading the job listing to see if the two align. 

12. Use Easy-to-Read Formatting

Once you’re ready to put your resume together, it’s time to think about formatting. We mentioned earlier that chronological ordering tends to be the way to go. In addition, you want to make sure that your completed resume looks neat and inviting, as opposed to cluttered or unprofessional. 

Always pick a professional font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Break up large chunks of text by using bullet points and prioritize the most important information. Include your contact information, including your physical address, email address, and phone number at the top of the page along with your full name. Generally speaking, you should use 1″ margins for a professional resume. If you end up with too much white space, you can use 1.5″ margins as well as a line spacing of 1.15-1.5. 

13. Keep Your Resume Short and Simple

As I mentioned earlier, the private workforce tends to favor one-page resumes. Only go over one page if that amount of space isn’t enough to convey experience and skills that are all directly relevant to the job in question. Unless otherwise instructed, never go over two pages.

Why is simplicity so important? Recruiters and potential employers give each resume an average of 7.4 seconds before moving on to other components of your application or the next candidate. That means that you want to make sure that even if someone scans over your resume without reading every word, they’ll understand what makes you a qualified candidate.

Using active language, avoiding unnecessary language, and taking advantage of the bullet point format that lets you forgo full sentences is the best way to keep things short, simple, and to the point.

Professional Resume Crafting: Beyond the Resume Writing Tips

Whether you’re looking for a new employer in the same field or hoping to change fields entirely, our resume writing tips can help you beat the application tracking system and land an interview with a recruiter. At EZ Resume Services, I can do more than offer my advice.

As a career coach and resume writing professional, my objective is to take the guesswork out of your job hunt. To get your search on the fast track to your dream career, schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation with me. Together, we will discuss your goals, your experiences and skills, and how my services can help you become the perfect candidate. 

The post 13 Resume Writing Tips That Will Land You Your Next Job appeared first on EZ Resume Services.