GETTING THAT INTERVIEW - CREATING CUT-THROUGH WITH AN AWESOME RESUME

Did you know in this environment that your application is at least 1 in 400 and depending on the role, potentially up to 1 in 1,000!!!

So if you are using a bog-standard approach to your application process, it could be why you haven’t got those interviews. In the last blog I gave you my top 6 tips on how to cut through. Today I’m going to focus on creating an awesome Resume.

1. My number one tip with your Resume is not to lie! There is nothing wrong in talking up what you have done but I warn you not to try and pass off lies, even small ones. Lots of people do and if you get a highly experienced interviewer like me, they’ll catch you out within the first ten minutes without even trying! And if you get caught out, it’s game over (especially when they are other great candidates to choose from)!

2.Next, research the type of roles you want to apply for. What are employers asking for in terms of behavioural and technical competencies, knowledge, qualifications and experience? Under each role, list the key points.

This of course assumes you know what you want. If you are unclear about your key motivators or you are in a rut, get a coach now.

Did you know that the cost of coaching is outweighed by the significant increase in your confidence, positivity, knowledge, skills, tools and clarity, which enables you to get the job you want often in less than half the time you would on your own. Also, in most cases, you can claim the cost of coaching on your tax!

3. Measure how you fit. Complete my SDOT template. Compare your strengths to your research. Ensure you play your strengths up in your Resume.

4.Develop a specific Resume for each type of job you wish to apply for. For example, your might be experienced as Executive Assistant and Customer Service Trainer and you are happy to do either of these roles. So you would develop a Resume focused on each role, highlighting the key competency areas and experience specific to the role.

5. The first page of your Resume needs to read ‘I AM PERFECT FOR THIS VACANCY AND YOUR COMPANY’!

Therefore your first page should include the following:
 A Personal Profile – Sell who you are, your values, what you want and what you contribute to an organisation in one crisp and punchy paragraph.

 An Overview of your key competency, skills and experience areas (both behavioural and technical for the role). Remember to include relevant skills, knowledge and experienced gained through voluntary work, sports, university

 If you have had more than three jobs in your career, include a Summary of the roles

6. Your Resume should not be more than 4 pages long, ideally 3. List jobs in chronological order (i.e. newest first)!

7. Detail each role - Be specific about dates, job title, type of company, key responsIbilities and above all key achievements/outcomes. Notice the word key – this means substantial, not everything you ever did!

8.Briefly explain big gaps in history (i.e. six months or more). Don’t just leave gaps hanging out there.

9.On the last page detail RELEVANT training and education

10.Do not put referee information on your resume. This should be provided once you have had a successful interview.

11.Be original, but drop the humour, useless anecdotes and overly personal information. Sometimes what you think is amusing is inappropriate and you will end up on the REJECT pile.

Remember your Resume is YOUR major SALES & MARKETING tool - it is a call to action to the employer to get you in! Ask yourself if you received this brochure in the post would you think it is appropriate and professional and does it catch your interest? If not, ditch the bits you are unsure of.

12. Avoid too much graphics, colour, crazy fonts etc. Certainly jazz your Resume up to stand out, but keep it professional. If sending through snail mail, use high quality paper

My Performance Coach can assist you in developing a powerful strategy to get the job and career you want through our first class career coaching programs. All our programs are highly competitively priced and you will be dealing with highly experience HR professional Coaches.

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