Resumes that produce Interviews

By Gretchen Gunn

Resume writing is a subjective process. While the only hard and fast rule is to ALWAYS tell the truth - just ask Mike Brown or Tyrone Willingham or any number of a growing list of people who have come under scrutiny for falsifying or “padding” their credentials. Don't lie. Never lie. You will be found out. However, truthfully rewriting your resume for a specific job opportunity is a very good idea.

“To successfully highlight your experiences for a position, you need to have a clear understanding of what is required of the position.”

Certain resume formats afford more interviews than others. This is based on observations I have made throughout my career working with candidates and clients. Here's what I've discovered:

¨ When we highlighted a candidate’s experience, relevant to the job, we were almost always able to get him or her an interview.
¨ When we did not highlight a candidate’s related experience, our chances of getting that person an interview decreased dramatically.

Hiring managers are strapped for time. In most cases, an immediate need exists and they have an email in-box filled with candidate resumes. If they don't see the skills they are looking for within the first ten seconds, they move to the next resume. Therefore, the resume that gets attention is the one that tells the hiring manager that you can do their job. This should be immediately apparent in your summary. While most of your resume will be the same, you should always show your skills relevant to each position up front.

Good recruiters are also career advisors. They can help you position yourself for an opportunity. If they ask you to rewrite your resume, and you don't know what to change, ask for their help. When you are working with a consulting firm, you are part of a team. You have worked to build your career and be an expert in your field. The consulting firm has fostered a relationship with the client based on their ability to provide qualified candidates, in this case, you.

To successfully highlight your strengths for a position, you need to have a clear understanding of what the job requires. Once you know the requirements you can relate your previous work experience to the hiring manager. You are then well on your way to getting an interview.

Suggested Resume Guidelines

1. Resumes are no longer relegated to a single page.


2. Make it easier on the reader, and use a font large enough for anyone to easily read. 12 point font is a good size.


3. Start with a summary that clearly states your profession and your years of experience.


4. In the following summary sentences detail your skills that directly relate to the job description.


5. If applicable, follow the summary with a list of your technical skills.


6. The body of your resume should list your work chronologically. A chorological resume is easier for the hiring manager to read. Give specific examples of your responsibilities at each position.


7. End the resume with your education and any training.

Try these techniques the next time you submit your resume for consideration. Not only will you have a better shot at getting an interview, you will be better prepared for the actual interview. The energy spent on qualifying your experiences will help you stay focused on your specific strengths when you are actually speaking with the hiring manager.