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Showing posts with label Ask a Recruiter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ask a Recruiter. Show all posts
You, the Resume and the Interview!
By Guest Blogger Lee Koren.
Today, I would like to answer a few questions which seem to be quite popular.
Q: With the job market so competitive, getting beyond the resume to an interview is difficult. Resumes are screened by recruiters or systems – any advice on how to get noticed?
A: The purpose of the resume is not to get you a job – it is to get you an interview. Therefore, the resume must optimize your key strengths and competencies and highlight them in a way which “catches the eye” of the recruiter or whoever might be reading the resume. Therefore, it is important to insure your key strengths and competencies are identified and strategically placed on the resume using “keywords” This will improve the odds of your resume being noticed during the screening process.
Q: Do cover letters really get read?
A: Depends on the person – I have been a recruiter for 20+ years – if the cover letter is in the body of the email I will read it. If it is attached to the email along with the resume I will open the resume first. If it is incorporated into the resume document well I might scan it quickly. The shorter the cover letter the better, recruiters are just not going to read a 2 page cover letter. Three short paragraphs – First Paragraph contains your interest in the job. Second Paragraph makes the link between the key skills required for the job and your strengths. Third Paragraph is the close.
Q: I do not have a problem getting the interview; in fact I get good feedback on my interview skills. I usually get invited back for a second interview; however I just can’t seem to get beyond this point. Do you have any words of wisdom?
A: Oh to have a magic wand when it comes to the interview! There are so many things riding on a successful interview, some of them are out of your control. I coach my clients to be as prepared as possible. Find out all you can about the company on the internet, its website and Linkedin. Spend time going over the skills required for the job and identifying your accomplishments which demonstrate these skills. Be prepared with specific examples which link your skills to the skills required for the job. If the interviewer does not perform a behavioural interview work some of your good examples into the conversation.
Q: Does it matter if my resume is a Word document or PDF when applying on-line?
A: Many companies are purchasing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems may or may not be integrated with the rest of their business systems. If not integrated, then the system may or may not open a PDF.doc so to be safe I suggest using a Word doc Why? Because if the recruiter cannot open your resume he or she will be clicking on the next resume in the list.
Q: You talk about a “system friendly resume” what does this mean?
A: Again, it goes back to a company’s technical infrastructure; and if there is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), whether or not it is fully integrated. If you up-load your resume online and it happens to contain fancy formatting, graphics and tables there is a possibility the text will be distorted when the document is opened at the other end. To be on the safe side, keep the formatting simple; avoid graphics, table and fancy bullets.
Q: I am in career transition and have been told to put a profile on Linkedin. As a recruiter do you use Linkedin to locate talent?
A: Absolutely, Linkedin is the best social networking tool out there and is quickly becoming very popular with corporate and agency recruiters when it comes to locating qualified talent.
Q: I have a few companies I am targeting and would like your option on asking executives at these companies for an informational meeting – what has been your experience with this type of approach – does it work?
A: It depends on how and who you ask. I know of a PhD grad who targeted a pharmaceutical company she was very interested in. She sent an email to one of the executives asking if he would mind taking time from his busy schedule to meet with her for the purpose of learning more about the company. He agreed and when they met he suggested she send her resume to Human Resources and gave her the contact information. She sent the resume and sent him a thank you note (letting him know she sent the resume) and the next thing she knew she was being invited in for an interview and yes, received a job offer.
For more information on career transition, your resume and the interview please take a few minutes to check out my blog at www.bselected.wordpress.com
Remember to take one day at a time!
Lee Koren. PHR
About the Author:
About the Author:
Lee Koren is a results oriented senior recruiter with extensive and acknowledged International expertise in four core categories: career transition, recruitment, selection, and behavioural/performance based interviewing and facilitation. She is certified as a Professional in Human Resoruces (PHR) and a Lead Master Trainer in Behavioural Interviewing.
Job Searchers can tap into Lee’s vast experience to optimize their resume, social media networking strategies and learning effective techniques to enhance the interview experience.. Contact Lee directly at the following links:
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