Are you connecting the dots for potential employers?

Imagine this scenario. You find a job opportunity with a desirable company that you think will be fulfilling and challenging. The three-page resume you submit is chock full of information that highlights your many qualifications and achievements, after all, you’ve been a successful professional for over 15 years. You feel as if you can conquer any professional challenge that comes your way. In your cover letter, you profess your extreme enthusiasm for the position and present a comprehensive overview of your background. Five days later you hear back from the company, and it’s not good news. It’s a flat-out rejection. You are confused and frustrated. What happened?

For the purpose of our example, let’s assume an actual person reviewed your resume and not the company’s ATS (applicant tracking system). Put yourself in the position of the hiring manager. When you compare your resume to the job description, what do you see? Do your skills and qualifications come shining through?

How can you best present your candidacy and improve the odds that you will move from the application review process to an interview?
• Identify employment opportunities that are in alignment with your skills and career goals.
• If you are applying for a position that isn’t a clear match with your skills and experience, explain both why you are pursuing the position and how you are qualified based on your interests and transferrable skills.
• Closely examine the job description to identify key requirements and competencies, illustrate that you understand them, and then connect them to your skills and experience.
• Build a bridge between your qualifications and the job requirements. You will need to show the recruiter how you are uniquely qualified for the position. Make it as easy as possible for the hiring manager to find relevant information on your resume, including job-specific keywords and phrases. Think to yourself, am I speaking the same language as the job description, company, and industry?
• Utilize a Professional Profile (also called a Professional Summary or Summary of Qualifications) section at the top of your resume. This section will highlight key skills and experience that relate to the job, company, and/or industry. It sets the stage for the rest of your resume, and here is where you want to pique a potential employer’s interest so he or she will be motivated to read through the rest of your content.
• If you are applying for jobs in different industries or work areas, make sure you customize your resume to showcase information most relevant to your target position.
• Once you have focused on matching your skills and experience with the job, clearly explain through your application materials (cover letter, etc.), how you are uniquely qualified to deliver value if hired for the position.

Experts estimate that once submitted, your resume receives a six to ten second initial review. This review alone can determine whether you move forward in the hiring process or not. If you are qualified for a position and connect the dots for potential employers, it increases your chances that they will understand your skills, talents, and potential value. Before you can tell your story in-person to dazzle a potential employer, you need move to the interview stage. The presentation of a resume that is clear, concise, and in alignment with job duties and qualifications will help you land that interview. Good luck!