Podcast
Questions and Answers
From the hiring side, what is the primary function of a resume?
From the hiring side, what is the primary function of a resume?
- To serve as a tool for generating interview questions.
- To provide a detailed history of an applicant's entire life.
- To showcase the applicant's personal career goals.
- To act as a timesaving device for screening applicants. (correct)
How has the internet changed the way resumes should be written?
How has the internet changed the way resumes should be written?
- Resumes need to be in video or other multimedia format in order to be noticed online.
- Resumes need to be written in a more conversational tone due to online search trends.
- Resumes need to be longer and more detailed to be located on the internet.
- Resumes must be optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems to be discovered. (correct)
What significant flaw does the author suggest is found in resumes that begin with a 'Job Objective' section?
What significant flaw does the author suggest is found in resumes that begin with a 'Job Objective' section?
- It demonstrates a failure to understand the importance of good grammar and sentence structure.
- It indicates the candidate has not considered the needs of the employer. (correct)
- It suggests the applicant lacks any specific career goals.
- It shows the applicant does not understand the technical requirements of the role.
What core communication skill do many job applicants demonstrate a lack of?
What core communication skill do many job applicants demonstrate a lack of?
Why should job seekers consider the principles that 'the customer is always right' and 'find out what the customers want and sell it to them' when crafting their resume?
Why should job seekers consider the principles that 'the customer is always right' and 'find out what the customers want and sell it to them' when crafting their resume?
What is a primary reason for a resume to be highly focused on a particular job title?
What is a primary reason for a resume to be highly focused on a particular job title?
What should be listed toward the beginning of a well-constructed resume, according to the content provided?
What should be listed toward the beginning of a well-constructed resume, according to the content provided?
What is the purpose of a 'Brand Statement' on a resume?
What is the purpose of a 'Brand Statement' on a resume?
Why is a 'Job Deliverables Deconstruction' (JDD) document useful during the resume review process?
Why is a 'Job Deliverables Deconstruction' (JDD) document useful during the resume review process?
What is meant by the 'six-second scan' performed by experienced recruiters?
What is meant by the 'six-second scan' performed by experienced recruiters?
What is the initial outcome of a successful 'six-second scan' of a resume by a recruiter?
What is the initial outcome of a successful 'six-second scan' of a resume by a recruiter?
In the context of the content, what is the next step after a recruiter creates a 'long list' of potential candidates?
In the context of the content, what is the next step after a recruiter creates a 'long list' of potential candidates?
Why is the order of skills listed in the 'Professional Skills' section important?
Why is the order of skills listed in the 'Professional Skills' section important?
What is the primary issue with a resume that contains an 'Objective' statement?
What is the primary issue with a resume that contains an 'Objective' statement?
What is the purpose of the 'Technical Skills or Competencies' section of a resume?
What is the purpose of the 'Technical Skills or Competencies' section of a resume?
While reading a resume, why should you skip reading a candidate's social media profile?
While reading a resume, why should you skip reading a candidate's social media profile?
Why are 'Achievements or Performance Highlights' included in a resume?
Why are 'Achievements or Performance Highlights' included in a resume?
What is the significance of having a clear 'Target Job Title' on a resume?
What is the significance of having a clear 'Target Job Title' on a resume?
What is the 'Apollo Syndrome' in the context of job applications?
What is the 'Apollo Syndrome' in the context of job applications?
Why is it important for recruiters to be aware that their definition of a word might differ from a candidate's definition?
Why is it important for recruiters to be aware that their definition of a word might differ from a candidate's definition?
When a candidate uses action verbs on their resume, such as 'managed' or 'implemented,' what should recruiters do based on the provided text?
When a candidate uses action verbs on their resume, such as 'managed' or 'implemented,' what should recruiters do based on the provided text?
What should recruiters consider when seeing the word 'managed' in a resume?
What should recruiters consider when seeing the word 'managed' in a resume?
Based on the text, what should recruiters generally assume about a candidate and their achievements?
Based on the text, what should recruiters generally assume about a candidate and their achievements?
Which employment dates should a recruiter investigate further?
Which employment dates should a recruiter investigate further?
What does the text suggest about evaluating a candidate who slightly exaggerates their achievements?
What does the text suggest about evaluating a candidate who slightly exaggerates their achievements?
Flashcards
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
A software that scans and analyzes resumes using keywords to match them with job requirements.
Resume
Resume
The most important document a working professional owns, showcasing their skills, experience, and qualifications.
Tailoring your resume
Tailoring your resume
Highlighting your key skills and accomplishments relevant to the specific job you're applying for.
Communication skills
Communication skills
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Job Objective-focused resume
Job Objective-focused resume
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Six-second scan
Six-second scan
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Job Deliverables Deconstruction (JDD)
Job Deliverables Deconstruction (JDD)
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Must-haves vs. Nice-to-haves
Must-haves vs. Nice-to-haves
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Resume winnowing
Resume winnowing
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Telephone screening interview
Telephone screening interview
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Shortlist
Shortlist
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Professional Skills/Core Competencies
Professional Skills/Core Competencies
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Brand Statements
Brand Statements
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Career Summary/Performance Profile
Career Summary/Performance Profile
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Achievements or Performance Highlights
Achievements or Performance Highlights
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Technical Skills or Competencies
Technical Skills or Competencies
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Target Job Titles
Target Job Titles
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Objective
Objective
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Professional Experience
Professional Experience
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BEWARE ACHIEVEMENTS
BEWARE ACHIEVEMENTS
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Apollo Syndrome
Apollo Syndrome
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Painting with Broad Strokes
Painting with Broad Strokes
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Action Verbs
Action Verbs
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Considering the Context
Considering the Context
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Professional Experience Section
Professional Experience Section
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Employment Dates: Year Only
Employment Dates: Year Only
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Examining Work History
Examining Work History
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Employment Gaps
Employment Gaps
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Study Notes
Resume Evaluation Strategies
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Resumes are crucial for efficient hiring, acting as a screening tool, interview roadmap, and question generator.
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Modern recruitment relies on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which search databases using multiple keywords.
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Resumes should now focus on specific job titles and highlight relevant skills for a given position to be found by ATS.
Resume Content and Structure
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A strong resume includes a target job title to show relevance.
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A brand statement (optional) communicates value proposition.
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A performance profile or career summary provides a concise overview of skills and achievements.
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A professional skills/core competencies section lists skills aligned with the target role. Order of skills matters: prioritize essential over ancillary skills.
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Technical skills (optional) are relevant for technical roles.
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Achievement/performance highlights (optional) demonstrate prior successes. Be wary of exaggerated claims; achievements should be relatable to team contributions and contributions to company objectives.
Resume Reading Techniques
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Use a six-second scan to identify "must-have" qualifications.
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A strong understanding of the target job description (responsibilities, deliverables, transferable skills, and professional values) helps to quickly determine if a candidate fits this description.
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If a resume lacks the necessary "must-have" skills, move on to the next candidate.
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Many recruiters will screen using telephone interviews, or develop a long-list of candidates that needs further scrutiny, and possibly a second reading before making decisions.
Resume Section Evaluations
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Name and contact information: Include LinkedIn for potential interview prep, but skip it during initial screening.
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Target job title: A clear target job title shows the resume writer has considered the target job.
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Brand statements: A brand statement is optional. They are subjective and may not reflect objective capabilities.
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Objectives, summaries, and profiles: Avoid "wants" - focus on demonstrated skills. Look for objective skill descriptions and how the candidate's profile aligns with the job.
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Professional skills/core competencies: Identify relevant skills. The order of skills is important to indicate focus and prioritization.
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Technical skills/competencies: Optional, relevant for technology-specific roles.
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Achievements/performance highlights: Examine claims carefully, separating fact from exaggeration. Use a highlighter to note potential interview fodder.
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Professional experience: Employment gaps are acceptable now; it's important to evaluate employment gaps objectively as part of the interview process.
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Educational attainment: Be wary of exaggerated claims. Verify credentials if needed. Experience gradually outweighs educational attainment.
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Licenses, professional accreditations, and ongoing education: Essential for some fields.
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Professional organizations/affiliations: Indicate a commitment to the profession.
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Publications, patents, speaking, apps: Indicate a deeper involvement in the field.
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Languages: Include language skills for international roles.
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Military service: Positively viewed for transferable skills like teamwork, leadership, and dedication.
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Extracurricular interests: Irrelevant to most jobs.
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"Excellent references available on request": Don't give much weight, a standard inclusion.
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Resume length: Focus on relevant content, not page length.
Resume Screening Process Advice
- Screens should be performed in batches or as a break from primary duties.
- Maintain good relations with HR to help with efficiency
- When a candidate is considered, re-read their resume and generate potential interview questions to gather clarification, or to test skills, or to verify claims. This is a time to assess and ask questions.
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Description
This quiz explores effective strategies for evaluating resumes, focusing on how to tailor them for modern Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Learn about the essential components of a strong resume, including job titles, brand statements, and skills alignment to enhance hiring efficiency.