Have you spent countless hours writing a resume and cover letter? Have you been sending your resume out to massive amounts of companies and recruiters only to get no reply? You know you are qualified for those positions, so why in the world are you not getting a response? Let me help!
There are a number of reasons that this could be happening to you and it is undeniably true that an unsuccessful job search if very frustrating. It is disheartening to spend so much time on applications, resumes, and cover letters only to get no response. Could your resume be the reason you are not getting the response you deserve? Writing your resume is HARD and it could certainly be worth it to seek the advice of an experienced resume writer.
Let’s discuss a few questions that will help you assess where your resume may be going wrong, and how you can better show a potential employer that you are a top candidate.
How Many Versions Have You Created?
If you answered only one version, then you may have a major problem on your hands. It is helpful to have a master resume that covers your entire career history, accomplishments, skills, and strengths, but that should not be the only version you send out to every employer. Having multiple versions of your resume is one of the most effective strategies you can use during your job search.
You should tailor each resume to the company and position that you are pursuing. Make it speak to the needs of your prospective employer and undeniably clear how your work experience can help them meet those needs. A resume that shows how you can benefit the employer is much more effective than one that is about you. It can be time consuming, but it is certainly worth the effort.
Have Multiple People Proofread Your Resume?
It is tempting to run the spellcheck and assume your resume is error free. If you have read (and re-read) your resume multiple times and are not finding errors, then have a few friends read it over. They may find grammatical errors or typos that you missed and that could very well be a reason you’re not getting interview calls.
Have You Updated Your Resume Format Recently?
Or are you using a format you created 10 years ago? A modern resume layout will help you stand out as it will guide a prospective employer’s attention to the most important information.
Is Your Resume ATS-Optimized?
If you’re not sure what this means, then it might be time to do a little more research. ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System which is a common method used by employers to weed out resumes based on keywords using a computer program. Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, it has to get through a computer first.
Did You Copy and Paste Your Job Description Onto Your Resume?
Does your resume tell the story of your experience and your accomplishments along the way, or is it just one long list that tell an employer you have XYZ experience? Your prospective employer wants to see results, numbers, and achievements. You should write your resume in a way that shows your employer that you could step into that position and make an immediate impact.
If you would like help from Resume Assassin, then please feel free to reach out to me at mary@resumeassassin.com or www.resumeassassin.com.
Mary Southern, M.Ed