Welcome to Part II in my Get a Job series: Search, Present and Snag! In my last post, I told you how to seek out ideal positions. I hope that you have done your homework because now it is time to put your best foot forward and apply. Many companies are now using electronic applications (called an Applicant Tracking System or ATS). There are a number of reasons for this, and I promise none of those reasons are related to irritating the applicants. It mainly hinges on compliance; it is far easier to track and record candidate flow in case of an audit if everything is stored electronically. So, here are some tips for presenting your skills and expertise in a series of electronic fields.
Present:
• Check the qualifications. Before you even login, read the qualifications for the position. Do you meet them? Really? Be honest with yourself. I have discussed this in a previous post, but it bears repeating: it does not help your chances of being called for an interview if I see your name on every single open position at my company. This looks insincere, which annoys recruiters, and you don’t want to do that. Show genuine interest in the positions for which you actually have the qualifications. And, then give it your all!
• Fill it in completely. You have used a tremendous amount of precious time locating the perfect job, and now you have come to a 5-page online application. Ugh. The temptation to take every shortcut will be great, but please resist. You want for the people reading that application to know as much as possible, but most importantly you want for them to know that you cared enough to complete the application. Nothing screams “I don’t care” louder than an application with only the bare-minimum amount of information entered. However…
• Have a complete non-PDF resume ready. Most ATSs will allow you to upload a resume, which it will “read” and begin to fill in the application for you. This will only work, however, if your resume is in a text or Word format, not PDF. Be sure that you don’t have your name and address in a header, as this won’t be found when the system scans the document for information. Really, just avoid weird formatting altogether. Then, once it has gleaned information from your resume, remember that it is a machine, and check that it entered everything correctly. If given the option, attach the formatted version of your resume…it just looks better, and this is what will be shared with the interviewing team.
• Tell the truth. I am going to get out my “mom-voice” on this one. We will find out. Just as your parents were able to tell when there was a cookie missing from the jar, there are many ways for us to discover the truth about your background and qualifications. It’s not worth it, since it will disqualify you for this position and ruin your reputation with our company forever.
• To cover or not to cover. The importance of a cover letter is debated regularly, and each recruiter and hiring manager has a different opinion. I will speak only for myself on this one: write a cover letter. Here are my criteria, however: keep it short (very short), tailor it to the position, and be sure that all details are accurate. Do not write a cover letter with the wrong company name or position title included. Do not tell me everything you have done since college graduation. I have the attention span for three paragraphs maximum, and I want to know exactly how your skills and experiences may be used in this position. This is also an opportunity to briefly explain any strange gaps of employment or why you have left your most recent position. Which leads me to…
• Don’t leave anything to the imagination. I have a colleague who, when faced with a large gap of employment on a resume, will ask candidates why they spent the summer of 2002 in prison. If you don’t account for the summer of 2002 on your resume, we will be left to make our own assumptions. Therefore, you could include the volunteer work that you did during that period or one line stating that you were a stay-at-home parent. If it appears that you have jumped from job to job, include a brief explanation next to each position (for example: Pepsi, HR Generalist Aug. 2002-July 2003 [relocated]).
• Include all professional experience. Please do not abide by the “10-year rule,” especially if you have related experience that would be excluded. No, I don’t need to know that you were a camp counselor in high school (unless you are applying to be a camp counselor). But, I would like to know what your full professional progression has been. If this makes your resume appear too long (more than 2 pages), you may include a “Work history prior to…” section that simply lists companies, job titles and dates of employment.
• Hobbies and interests are for personal ads. They have no place on a professional resume unless they are somehow related to the position or showcase volunteerism (ex. when applying for a Communication Specialist position, you might mention that you are the editor of your bookclub’s website). This would then be listed in a Volunteer or Other Experience section. Understand that if you say on your resume that you enjoy reading, I will ask you for the last industry-related book you read.
By this point, the person reading your application, cover letter and resume should have a good sense of how your skills and experience would benefit the company and the department. Since you are so impressive, you will be receiving a phone call and/or email.
Therefore, here is my last tip: Be sure that the phone number and email address you give on your application and resume truly are the best way to reach you. And, by “best” I don’t necessarily mean “the most convenient.” I mean, “the most appropriate.” If you typically answer your cell phone in the middle of the grocery store with “What do you want?” don’t leave that number on your application. If your voicemail message is a recording of you and your friends making obscene jokes (true story), don’t leave that number. And, if your email address is prettykitty@yahoo.com, it’s time for a new email address.
Tune in next time for my tips on snagging the job!
