Resume Review - Beat the Recruiter's 7 Second Clock

 In 2018 an Eye-Tracking Study by Ladders Inc. revealed that recruiters spent an average of only 7.4 seconds on a resume. Here are the top skills needed to write a resume because content counts, NOT the resume template.

Articulate your skills - Writing needs to be to the point and concise while providing the information a recruiter is quickly seeking in your resume.

Review job ads to identify gaps in your skillset - Every employee should look at career job ads! Knowing if your skills are up to date is essential even if you're happy in your position. If you're looking for a position, it's a vital step before starting a resume.   

Personalize your resume - Personalization is essential, depending on your career. For example, creative positions often require portfolios created as websites. The web address information must be on the resume.

Show results, not just skills - Team leaders, project leaders, managers, and other executives need solid results to reinforce their stated skills. Experience recruiters look for budget, sales, and other metric accomplishments within a resume to "prove" experience.   

Skip the fancy design elements - Minimalistic resumes are best. You have 7 seconds. You don't want a recruiter wasting time looking at your resume's design. Pictures of yourself are not recommended unless you're an actor, model, or in the beauty profession, where looks matter.

Demonstrate a steady work history - Hiding gaps in your resume is not advisable. It's better to let prospective employers know what you achieved or did during your employment gap.

Job searches have gotten more competitive and complicated since 2018. The prospective employee must jump two hurdles in their job searches. The first is based on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), needed to have your resume pulled from the database for a recruiter to see. The second step is to present your information to present the 7-second test.  

College Graduate Resume Format

People just graduating from college often have little experience in their chosen profession as a result their resume should be formatted in a way that highlights their special qualities. For college juniors, I highly suggest you find an internship program in your specific field.  The work experience in your field will greatly benefit you after graduation and if you network properly while interning you may find yourself placed in your career before you even graduate.

This quick look at how your resume should be formatted.  Make sure to include any certifications and academic honors that pertain to your degree under Education.   Never provide references without it being requested by a perspective employer and always inform  (and thank!) your references that you have used them. Do not forget to embed key words and phrases related to your career within the text of your resume.  This will increase your chances of getting pulled during a human resource resume database search

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EDUCATION Elm University, Chapel Hill, NC    2013 M.A. in English Thesis: “The Accessibility Debate of Content in the Online Context” Oak Tree University, Raleigh, NC           2011 B.A. Honors in English Areas of Concentration: Journalism, Proposal Writing Minor: French Honors Thesis: “The Female Betrayed and Modern Media” AWARDS President’s Fellowship, Oak Tree University Excellence Grant, Oak Tree University TEACHING EXPERIENCE Teaching Assistant – to Professor Garth Fort in “Advanced Rhetoric” Collaborated on curriculum and exam development, met with students upon request, and graded all written work, including final exam papers. RELATED EXPERIENCE Lucerne Publishing, Raleigh, NC Editor Provide as needed editorial support remotely, including developmental and copy editing of their internal online and printed documentation. Trey Research, Raleigh, NC User Interface Design Consultant Provided content design feedback to program managers to create accessible segue between English and French versions of related content. PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS “The Cross-Cultural Communication Epidemic of the 21st Century” Guest speaker at the Global Communication Convention, Los Angeles, CA LANGUAGES English – native language French – speak fluently and read/write with high proficiency Spanish and Italian – speak, read, and write with basic competence MEMBERSHIPS American Society of English Honorees Western Society of Women Writers REFERENCES References available upon request

How to Apply for a Retail Job

Retail jobs help people gain work experience, pay for school or re-enter the workplace after an extended layoff period. Many companies offer limited benefits to their employees and a reasonable starting wage. Most of the large retailers now have automated applicant systems so it is important to prepare a few things BEFORE applying for a job. At smaller retailers, you may meet the hiring manager at the time you pick up an application so it is important to be polite and well groomed. Nothing ruins a first impression more than poor hygiene.

Creating a fact sheet about yourself and your past work experience helps when filling out multiple applications. You can bring your fact sheet along to remember employers, dates, addresses and work experience.

Information on your fact sheet should include:

• Your total educational experience including certification classes you have attended. Make sure to include the addresses of the all the schools you have or are now attending.

• List all your work experience or what you have been doing for at least the last ten years. It is important to have all the information concerning your work history or lack of it. Make sure to list the jobs you have held, the dates you worked at each job and a bullet list of your duties for each job. If you have been unemployed for any periods make sure to state when and why. For example, if you have been staying at home to raise kids, going to school, or taking care of a sick parent list it.  

• Many people ignore private awards or reconditions and only list work related awards. This cheats you, so make sure to include all charity work, awards, or special reconditions you have received in the last decade.  Students should include Student Honor Roll and any sports played as accomplishments.

• Make sure you have three references who are not family, their address, permission to use them as a reference and their contact numbers.  

Most automated systems will ask the hours you are willing to work. If you really need the job, you must be willing to work at least one weekend day. Most employers require their employees to have flexible work hours.  

Filling out an application is your only way of getting an interview, so remember to use keywords in your responses. You can find those keywords in the job description used to promote that specific job. For example, if they are looking for stock help use that phrase instead of inventory control. It is also important to complete everything on the application, if you have a question about something during the application process ask the person overseeing your job submission. 

Once you get in for an interview, remember check your attitude at the door, be open and willing to listen, dress in a conservative manor, and leave the trendy stuff at home for when you are on your own time.  By doing these things you will increase your chances of getting a job.