Hiring the Best Ch 3

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Questions and Answers

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?

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?

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?

Listening. Signup and view all the answers

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?

It demonstrates the ability to understand what a potential employer needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for a resume to be highly focused on a particular job title?

To increase the resume's visibility in Applicant Tracking System (ATS) database searches. Signup and view all the answers

What should be listed toward the beginning of a well-constructed resume, according to the content provided?

Critical job skills, responsibilities, and deliverables. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a 'Brand Statement' on a resume?

To highlight the specific value that the candidate brings to the role. Signup and view all the answers

Why is a 'Job Deliverables Deconstruction' (JDD) document useful during the resume review process?

It provides a guide to what qualifications are needed for the job helping in efficient resume screening. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the 'six-second scan' performed by experienced recruiters?

A very rapid review to check for specific 'must have' skills. Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial outcome of a successful 'six-second scan' of a resume by a recruiter?

The resume is considered for a secondary, more detailed review. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the content, what is the next step after a recruiter creates a 'long list' of potential candidates?

Each resume on the long list is reviewed more carefully to create a 'short list'. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the order of skills listed in the 'Professional Skills' section important?

It reveals what the candidate considers to be the most and least relevant skills for a specific job. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with a resume that contains an 'Objective' statement?

It indicates the candidate is not focused on what the employer needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'Technical Skills or Competencies' section of a resume?

To highlight specific technical abilities relevant to the job. Signup and view all the answers

While reading a resume, why should you skip reading a candidate's social media profile?

It wastes time during the initial review phase. Signup and view all the answers

Why are 'Achievements or Performance Highlights' included in a resume?

To demonstrate how well the candidate performed for previous employers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of having a clear 'Target Job Title' on a resume?

It shows the resume writer is focused on relevant responsibilities and skills. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Apollo Syndrome' in the context of job applications?

A tendency for candidates to embellish their roles and contributions. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for recruiters to be aware that their definition of a word might differ from a candidate's definition?

To avoid misunderstandings about a candidate's actual skills and responsibilities. Signup and view all the answers

When a candidate uses action verbs on their resume, such as 'managed' or 'implemented,' what should recruiters do based on the provided text?

Highlight them or flag them for further examination and detailed questions in the interview. Signup and view all the answers

What should recruiters consider when seeing the word 'managed' in a resume?

The specific scope of the management role – process, project, or people. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, what should recruiters generally assume about a candidate and their achievements?

They should avoid making assumptions and instead, investigate any claims and action verbs further. Signup and view all the answers

Which employment dates should a recruiter investigate further?

When resumes only contain annual dates, there is the possibility of gaps in employment. Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about evaluating a candidate who slightly exaggerates their achievements?

Their claims should be fully investigated, but successful team experience should be considered positive. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Resume Evaluation Strategies

Resumes are crucial for efficient hiring, acting as a screening tool, interview roadmap, and question generator.
Modern recruitment relies on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which search databases using multiple keywords.
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

A strong resume includes a target job title to show relevance.
A brand statement (optional) communicates value proposition.
A performance profile or career summary provides a concise overview of skills and achievements.
A professional skills/core competencies section lists skills aligned with the target role. Order of skills matters: prioritize essential over ancillary skills.
Technical skills (optional) are relevant for technical roles.
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

Use a six-second scan to identify "must-have" qualifications.
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.
If a resume lacks the necessary "must-have" skills, move on to the next candidate.
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

Name and contact information: Include LinkedIn for potential interview prep, but skip it during initial screening.
Target job title: A clear target job title shows the resume writer has considered the target job.
Brand statements: A brand statement is optional. They are subjective and may not reflect objective capabilities.
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.
Professional skills/core competencies: Identify relevant skills. The order of skills is important to indicate focus and prioritization.
Technical skills/competencies: Optional, relevant for technology-specific roles.
Achievements/performance highlights: Examine claims carefully, separating fact from exaggeration. Use a highlighter to note potential interview fodder.
Professional experience: Employment gaps are acceptable now; it's important to evaluate employment gaps objectively as part of the interview process.
Educational attainment: Be wary of exaggerated claims. Verify credentials if needed. Experience gradually outweighs educational attainment.
Licenses, professional accreditations, and ongoing education: Essential for some fields.
Professional organizations/affiliations: Indicate a commitment to the profession.
Publications, patents, speaking, apps: Indicate a deeper involvement in the field.
Languages: Include language skills for international roles.
Military service: Positively viewed for transferable skills like teamwork, leadership, and dedication.
Extracurricular interests: Irrelevant to most jobs.
"Excellent references available on request": Don't give much weight, a standard inclusion.
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.