Resume Fail - Key Words and You.

​In my last blog I wrote about Applicant Tracking Systems and how recruitment agencies and larger employers use them to short list suitable candidates.  So, the question remains - How do you get your Resume past the electronic gate keeper and into the hands of the human selecting candidates for interview?  

Unfortunately, it isn’t a precise science, but there are a few things you can do to help you move to the second stage of the selection process. 

Read the job advertisement carefully!  Did you hear me?  Read it!  Not only will you learn a bit about the employer, but you will gain valuable information on key skills and attributes they are looking for in a candidate.  Some skills might be clearly listed but others will be buried in the blurb at the start of the advert that most people skip over. 

Note the key skills and attributes.  Now……make sure your Resume includes as many of those key words as possible in the description of your work experience and career highlights.  i.e. logical, well phrased sentences.

A few other tips recruitment professionals have given me over time include:

1. not going overboard on graphics and formatting.  i.e. pictures, borders and artwork.
2. list your suburb/town and post code and contact details as a minimum. (Full address if you wish.)
3. save it as a Word or PDF document.  (Often the advert will tell you the formats they accept.)
4. don’t include less than acceptable email addresses.  e.g. BoozeLover666@email.com.au

​As I said earlier, it isn’t an exact science but following a few tips can improve your prospects.  Contact Present Professionally and let us help you put your best foot forward.

Anthony Ferro
 
Present Professionally serves customers across the Toowoomba Region and South East Queensland.  You can follow Anthony at https://au.linkedin.com/in/anthonyferro1  or view details at www.presentprofessionally.com.au and LIKE us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/PresentProfessionallyAustralia/
 
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