How to Get Your Resume in the Big Game

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How to Get Your Resume in the Big Game

Is Your Resume Super Bowl-Worthy?

Anybody who watched the Super Bowl this past weekend knows how important extra effort can be. And it’s not just extra effort, but a level of commitment and dedication that far exceeds previous and even existing standards. After all, that’s what it takes to be in the big game.

The same principle applies to the current marketplace. Every week, there are more and more people competing for fewer and fewer jobs. Consequently, it’s more difficult to construct a resume that will stand out from the crowd and distinguish you in an ever-growing sea of eager applicants. However, it must be done if you want to catch the eye of company officials and hiring managers. Remember, the recruiter average is between 5 and 10 seconds to get their attention.

OffSides

There are items which should not be included in a resume, namely the following:

Salary history or salary requirements—If your resume is strong enough, you’ll be contacted, regardless of whether this is included.
References—“References: Available Upon Request” will do just fine.
Personal information—Offer only the essentials, such as “Willing to relocate.”

Game Plan and Execution

You should approach the construction of a super resume from two different angles, the same way a head coach approaches a big game—specifically in terms of your game plan and your execution of that plan. In other words, this is the information you’re planning to present and your ability to present it well. Let’s start with the game plan:

Professional achievements—Include goals reached and any awards won, as well as professional designations such as licenses or certifications and membership in professional associations. (Be sure to clearly state the dates of your membership.)
Educational accomplishments—List your degree(s) and relevant course work, thesis or dissertation, or specialized training, in addition to honors, scholarships, and awards.
Success indicators—Include anything that distinguishes you as a leader or achiever. One such major indicator is the ability to speak more than one language, which is quite valuable in today’s global economy.
Related experience—Include anything relevant to your prospective employer’s needs.
Military service (if applicable)—Employers generally react favorably to military service experience.
Security clearances—Depends upon the industry and position involved.
Industry buzzwords—These key words can further help you to draw attention.

Okay, now for the execution of the game plan, or the way in which you should present the content of your resume:

Explicitness and detail—Generalities are your enemy; be precise about dates, titles, credentials, etc.
Relevancy—Concentrate only on subject matter that addresses the needs of the employer.
Length—If your content is strong, you won’t need more than two pages.
Spelling, grammar, and punctuation—Have another person read it, and don’t rely on spell-check.
Readability—Your thoughts should be well organized and your document should be clear and crisp, with appropriate font style and size.

It’s a game of inches

When it comes to being the “best of the best,” there isn’t much margin for error. Just ask the Arizona Cardinals, whose defeat in the Super Bowl came down to mere inches of turf and a few ticks of the clock. There isn’t much margin for error with your resume, either, but if you follow the steps outlined above, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of receiving a phone call . . . and catching a face-to-face interview!

Get in the game

Please contact us at www.automationtechies.com or email me a cridley@automationtechies.com to discuss your resume or update us with your recent experience.

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