Tips to get my resume on the top of the stack?

Happy June!  Our clients hire us so that they are not burdened with the task of filtering through hundreds of resumes to find the right fit.  Our job is clearly laid out in our mission statement:

"To provide the perfect match between client needs, desires and wants with associate's knowledge, skills and abilities!"

With this said, most of you are using Part-Time Pros as one of many tools in your job-hunting toolbox.  Knowing this, I thought it might be helpful to hear some tips that are suggested by companies who do not outsource their HR, on how to get your resume on top of the ever-growing stack.

1.      Keep in mind that often Office Managers or HR professionals are the ones who have first glance at the hundreds of resume that come in to a Hiring Manager.  Rarely do they go directly to the President or Hiring Manager.  Knowing this, it is important to know plenty about the job you are applying for.  Read and re-read the job description and know exactly what criteria they are seeking so that you can reiterate some key words or phrases that a secretary or HR professional will be looking for to determine if you have the skills necessary to perform the job.  When you write your resume, pay close attention to the credentials wanted and address each of these credentials in a cover letter and your resume.  Also, don't get stuck on the one-size-fits-all philosophy- a resume should be agile and change based on the job description and the company.

2.      If you have contacts who have connections within a company, ask them to call on your behalf.  Your chances of getting an interview increase significantly when you have a personal recommendation.  Time-after-time, networking pays off.

3.      Have a resume that is clear of errors, poor spelling, and poor organization.  We recommend not using a functional resume because it does not allow the reader an opportunity to see what type of work history you have.  Have at least three to four people read through your resume prior to submitting to ensure it is free of errors. 

4.      Know what you want and have a resume that clearly indicates your focus.  Everyone knows you are looking for work because you want/need to be paid.  However, you need to know what you are good at and what a company will gain by hiring you.  A person reading your resume should know after one look what skills you bring to the table.  If you are trying to shift industries and have no tangible skills for the industry you are interested in, you really ought to seek out volunteer/internship opportunities so that you can again experience.  With over 17 MM people unemployed, companies will hire those with experience over those with no experience. 

5.      Follow-up on your resume's progress.  Always check back to see if a company is interested, but don't become a pest.  Look at yourself though the eyes of the Hiring Manager; make yourself appealing and available, but not overbearing.

I hope these tips are helpful.  If you have tips that have helped you, I would love to hear them so that I may share with all of our applicants.  I wish you a safe and happy June!

Sincerely,

Carey

"We do more than just fill jobs, we create them" ™