CT Staffing and Recruiting News

The latest advice and best practices in hiring and careers.

60 Seconds to Career Success (or Failure!)

You’ve spent countless hours perfecting your resume:

  • choosing the right format
  • researching employer needs to customize content
  • selecting relevant keywords
  • honing your summary

A recruiter or hiring manager, on the other hand, may spend less than 60 seconds scanning your resume.  In this time, he’ll decide your fate within his organization – namely, whether or not you get called for an interview.

Don’t get frustrated.  Get ready!

When it comes to your job search, knowledge is power.  So today, A.R. Mazzotta is “pulling back the curtain” and summarizing how a recruiter rapidly reviews the dozens, or hundreds, of resumes that are submitted in response to a job posting.  While each individual has his preferences, here’s a quick rundown of what most look for:

Your location.  Do you live close to where work is to be performed? This is important for many entry- and mid-level positions, as relocation for positions is often not feasible.

Your relevant experience.   What’s your background?  If you’ve worked in manufacturing all your life and the available position is in human resources, a recruiter may instantly take a pass.

Your job title. What’s your role or function within the industry?  A potential employer is looking for a perfect match.  As such, a recruiter may give preference to those who have held the types of jobs that match his selection criteria.

Your level of experience.  Logically, if you’ve held only entry level positions and the available job is in middle management, you may not make the cut.  The reverse may also be true: if you’re a senior executive applying for a receptionist position, a hiring manager may count you out based on your experience mismatch.

How recent your experience is.  Right or wrong, a long time away from the workplace or a significant gap in recent work history can take you out of the running.

Tenure.  If you’ve been a job-hopper (and provide no reasonable explanation), a hiring manager may discount your experience and qualifications.

Education.  If a master’s degree is a job requirement and you don’t have one, you may instantly be rejected.

Details, details.  Typos, sloppy formatting, lengthy content, etc. will be counted as strikes against you.

Bear in mind that there are exceptions to each of these.  They’re general guidelines which will vary based on who’s reviewing your resume and the kind of job you’re after.  But if you’re applying for any role, make sure:

  • You meet the basic qualifications of the job.  Don’t waste your, or the recruiter’s, time.
  • Your resume reflects what’s advertised – and also accurately reflects you. Make sure that you customize your resume for each job to which you apply, while presenting your qualifications honestly.
  • You include relevant keywords or phrases that mirror the position.
  • You explain any significant resume gaps in your cover letter.

Need more advice?  Read this post on creating a bullet-proof resume.  Or, get started with A.R. Mazzotta today!  With a team of experienced recruiting experts, and great jobs in Connecticut, we have the resources to help you find that perfect position.

 

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