Stop Sending Resumes into a Black Hole

3-minute read

Feeling frustrated from sending out resume after resume and hearing nothing in return? The harsh reality is, if you keep doing what you have always done, you will most likely continue to get what you have always gotten. If you are ready to see a change, read on BEFORE sending out another resume!

1.    A Resume Template May Be the Problem.

As a Recruiter with nearly two decades of experience, I can tell you firsthand that while templates may look pretty, there is a distinct risk that some, if not all, of your information will be lost in translation during the uploading process. And for those that do translate, the content is often not customized to the specific job posting or company.

All too often I see social media posts where one person is crying out for help, and another person… okay, who am I kidding… multiple people say, “Use a template!” While templates (e.g., with photos, tables, or graphics) may look pretty, they are not recommended for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Emailing or hand-delivering your resume? Same rule applies. Emailed and hand-delivered resumes are manually uploaded to an employer’s candidate tracking system, and likewise need to be ATS friendly.

2.   A One-Size-Fits-All Approach is a Thing of the Past

Tailor your resume to answer the needs and pain points of the company. For example, if the role requires a specific license or skill set, strategically place that information where it can be immediately seen (i.e., within the top 1/3 of the first page).

On average you have just 5-7 seconds to hook your reader’s attention. If your audience is required to hunt through your resume to find the skills, experience, and education/licenses that they are looking for, then they have already swiped left and moved on to the next applicant.

Generic resumes are a thing of the past. Hiring managers and recruiters want to see that you have read their job posting and that you have taken the time and effort to tailor your resume to align with the skills and experiences that they are seeking. It shows genuine interest and begins to showcase some of your skills, e.g., your attention to detail.

3.   No cover letter, no worries! Right?

Your cover letter is NOT a repeat of your resume. A well-written cover letter is an opportunity to connect more personally with the prospective employer. It is an opportunity to share your “why?”

Why you are excited to apply for their open opportunity AND why you want to work for them. Perhaps in the past you have been directly impacted by their services, or perhaps there is something in their mission, vision, or value statement that you connect with. Do your research. Finding the RIGHT opportunity takes work. Focus on quality, not quantity in your career search.

The truth is, while not every prospective employer will read your cover letter – they will appreciate the effort that was made to provide a tailored one. So, while it may not always be thoroughly read, including a cover letter with your resume does serve a greater purpose and can be that extra edge that sets you apart from the competition. After all, your cover letter is a marketing tool, and you are the product!

4.      You’re Listing Job Responsibilities instead of Accomplishments

Showcase the accomplishments that you have achieved that address the hiring needs of the prospective employer using real, hard facts.

For example, if you are applying for a sales role, rather than saying that you “made sales calls,” talk about your average number of daily or weekly sales calls, your conversion rate, and the positive impact you made on the bottom line. Providing clear statements about your achievements will go much further with the hiring manager than listing generic job tasks and responsibilities.

Gone are the days of copying and pasting the details from our job descriptions into our resumes. Nowadays, the resumes that are getting the most notice are the resumes that paint a picture for the hiring manager – a picture that helps them to visualize the candidate within their organization and solving their pain points.