Why is my resume broken?

Why is my resume broken? (Cover Image)

Getting an interview for a job in today’s competitive world can be a tedious task. Even if you apply regularly, there is a high chance that your resume will be rejected due to technical errors. Here’s a guide on how to prepare the perfect resume for your dream job.

What is a resume?

When asked to submit a job resume, we instinctively turn to Google for resume templates. But what is a resume? What’s the difference between that and a resume? Why do recruiters love resumes?

There are many different definitions of a resume, but in my own words, it is a document that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to fit into a profession through experience and skills.

TOP 5 RESUME MISTAKES:

1. Spelling and grammar errors
2. Missing email and phone information
3. Using passive language instead of “action” words.
4. Not well organized, concise, or easy to read through.
5. Not tailored to the position or industry

RESUME LANGUAGE SHOULD BE:

• Specific rather than general
• Active rather than passive
• Written to express not impress.
• Articulate rather than “flowery”.
• Fact-based (quantify and qualify)
• Written for people who scan quickly.

DO:

• Be consistent in format and content.
• Make it easy to read and follow, balancing white space.
• Use consistent spacing, bold, and capitalization for emphasis.
• List headings (such as Experience) in order of importance
• Within headings, list information in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• Avoid information gaps such as a missing summer.
• Be sure that your formatting translated properly if converted to a .pdf

DON’T:

• Use personal pronouns (such as I)
• Abbreviate
• Use a narrative style.
• Number or letter categories
• Use slang or colloquialisms.
• Include a picture.
• Include age or sex.
• List references
• Start each line with a date.

Why not reinvent?

One mistake I made early in my application process was trying to do something different with my resume. As a result, my resume went unnoticed because it wasn’t ATS friendly and looked unprofessional in the eyes of the recruiter. To avoid this, Harvard University has published a guide on how to write a perfect resume that would be a starting point for any beginner writing a resume.

What is ATS?

ATS, short for Applicant Tracking System, is an automated process used by large companies to sort large numbers of resumes for application. These systems read applications and sort them according to predefined variables set by recruiters to determine the best candidates for the position. What does ATS look for in your resume? ATS mainly checks whether a resume is suitable for ATS by trying to extract data from the resume. If this step fails, the rejection rate of the applications are high, depending on the recruiter’s sorting process. After this step, the resume is checked for matches with keywords related to the job title. Then, made sure your resume meets the variables set by the recruiter to select the best candidates.

Capitalize on the experience.

The main purpose of your resume is to show off the value you brought to the previous organization and the potential to bring value to the organization you are applying. It is best practice to put experience first in a resume. This is also true for freshmen who have developed a job-related job portfolio that greatly increases the interest of recruiters.

Eligibility to add value to the position.

Always offer qualifications that add value to the position you are applying for, rather than irrelevant qualifications, as ATS and recruiters will be interested. When applying for a technical position, recruiters are only interested in technical qualifications.

How to check if an existing resume is ATS friendly ?

There are many tools you can use to check your resume, but personally recommend LinkedIn. As it increases discoverability and suggestions for positions that match your profile. To optimize your resume, I personally recommend using a free service like Indeed. This allows you to see if your resume checks in with the important ATS variables.

I hope this guide has helped you create the perfect resume that will get you hired. For further guidance and consultations reach out to me on LinkedIn.