The 30-Second Resume: 4 Tips to Get
The best format and structure for resumes is a never-ending debate. Yet instead of worrying about how it is structured, you first need to worry about the content, which is where most resumes fail to get you face to face with human resources and the hiring manager. All it takes is a little nudge to get into the "keeper" pile instead of the "reject" pile. Here are four important things you need to consider when writing your resume:
1. Customize
It isn't enough to write a custom cover letter. Your resume content must be edited to match the job requirements as closely as possible. You can keep the basic information the same, but rearrange, add, or change bullet points with your experience or accomplishments to highlight the ones most relevant to the job you are applying for and to get the attention of the hiring manager.
2. Be Specific
Details are necessary to demonstrate that you are the right person for a job. When describing your past jobs, don't just give a generic explanation or assume the hiring manager will understand the details based on the job title. Instead, expand to highlight specific things that are important to the job you are applying for, keeping it short and using bullet points.
3. Transferable skills
Sometimes there isn't a 100% fit between your background and the job you are applying for. To deal with that gap, you need to highlight the specific skills and even describe how each is transferable. Again, don't leave it up to the hiring manager to make the connection-make it for them.
4. Answer their questions before they ask
You don't want the people reviewing your resume to assume anything, so think about those questions a hiring manager could potentially have about your resume and background, and answer them directly in your resume or cover letter. This includes why you changed jobs (especially if you have switched jobs frequently), what your true responsibilities are versus the job title, why there is a gap between positions, etc. Any question that the hiring manager can imagine has a negative answer will increase your odds of landing on the reject pile.
Finally, you do need to consider structure and format after you've optimized the content. You still must make it easy for them to quickly see the information that matters, remember it, and link it to their needs.
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