When you are one of hundreds of resumes to be reviewed, most recruiters and hiring managers only spend about an initial 30 - 60 seconds on each resume. If they don't see what they are looking for in that time, they will move on to the next resume. If, however, you provide information that is easy to decipher right at the start of your resume, they are more likely to continue reading about your background. The key is to provide the right information in an easy to read format.
Let's face it, it's convenient for you to maintain only one resume and shoot it off to every position which you see on the internet. But what if you're doing yourself a disservice? By taking a few moments to tailor your resume to what the employer wants you could get yourself noticed and get your foot in the door.
First of all, print out a copy of the job description that is posted for the position. In the job requirements section of the description, highlight the specific requirements. Here is an example for a Software Engineer:
Requires a BS degree in Computer Science, 5+ years of experience in Java and C/C++ programming. At least 2 years working on SaaS products. Must have completed one full design cycle.
Now, on your resume, tailor your objective to the job title. For the above example, you could write "A challenging position as a Software Engineer with a focus on SaaS product line". That's your first eye-catcher for the person reading the resume.
Second, if you don't already have one, insert a section into your resume after the objective, with the header "Summary of Qualifications". Below this, in bullet format (bullets are very important here), type one line for each requirement. Like this:
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
- 7 years of experience programming in Java
- 4 years of experience programming in C/C++
- Completed two full design cycles for SaaS product lines
You have now taken their exact requirements and reflected them back to the resume reader. This technique will make it easier for the resume screener to see exactly how you fit their needs and at the very least, they will continue to read your resume. Already they know you fit the minimum requirements as described in the job description.
It's worth taking a few extra minutes each time you submit your resume to illustrate how closely you fit the job requirements. Give the recruiter and hiring manager a reason to keep reading to see just how well you fit their needs and get that job!
Do you need expert advice on how to best conduct your job search? Claudia Loens is a Silicon Valley based Recruiter with over 20 years of experience. Now, she brings her expertise and insider secrets to the job seeker in her new book "Get Happily Employed Now" Learn how to apply modern techniques and the Law of Attraction to find the perfect job at http://www.happilyemployednow.com. Learn more about her job search coaching services at http://www.claudialoens.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claudia_Loens
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