When you want ‘wow’ in your resume
The ‘wow’ factor. We’ve all heard about it. It’s the quality that makes us sit up and take notice of a politician, performer, colleague, boss, what-have-you.
When it comes to resumes, every candidate wants that ‘wow’ factor to shine. But do you really know what it is? You may be surprised that you don’t.
What the ‘wow’ factor is not:
1. Fancy fonts to capture a hiring manager’s or recruiter’s attention. Designer fonts or those with script or fancy lettering will certain capture the eye, but they’re also extremely difficult to read. What’s more, they’re not universal on all PCs or Macs. That means, that if the recruiter or hiring manager doesn’t have the font on his/her computer, another font will be substituted which will compromise formatting.
2. Use of color, photos and graphics. Unless you’re a ‘creative’, which would be a graphic designer, artist, performer or the like, then keep these bells and whistles off your resume. You can use a headshot (professional with you in a business suit or business attire) if you’re applying for a sales position with lots of public contact. Other than that, don’t clutter your resume with junk that won’t be taken seriously.
3. Lots and lots of $20 words. Rather than referring to yourself as a teacher, you prefer pedagogue, believing it has a nice, intelligent ring. Trouble is some might not know what you mean. Others will wonder why you’re not writing in plain old English. You know, something that’s easily understood. Don’t jazz up your resume with verbiage never used by the majority of the populace.
4. Putting every single project you’ve ever done into your resume no matter how small in order to show the depth of your experience. Trust me, doing this will work against you. No one will read a ten page resume. The average person will stop at the middle of the first page if you don’t have what s/he is looking for.
What the ‘wow’ factor is:
1. A solid opening summary that paints you as the perfect candidate for the position. Dovetail everything you have done to everything the employer requires.
2. Quantified accomplishments. It’s not an achievement if it didn’t improve your company in some way. Did you save the company money? Did you make the company money? Did you create an innovative procedure or product? That’s what makes a hiring manager say, “Wow.”
3. A Professional Experience section that states only the most important tasks. Don’t list duty after duty. It gets tiring to read. What’s more, most employers won’t read it.
Remember, hiring managers and recruiters are looking for individuals who’ll be a good fit for their company. That’s the ‘wow’ factor they seek. Nothing else. Make yourself appear to be the ideal candidate and you’ll be well on your way to an interview.
Having difficulty coming up with accomplishments?
In my career, I’ve created more than 10,000 resumes, cover letters and other business documents for clients. I’ve seen and heard it all. When someone tells me they have absolutely no quantified accomplishments to put on a resume, I know that’s not true.
Why?
If the client had achieved nothing at his or her career, if the only purpose was to show up for a paycheck, then that individual would have been fired faster than he or she could have ever imagined. Companies don’t babysit adults and pay them for simply sitting in a chair all day. If you’re not achieving, you’re history. Therefore, the question to ask yourself is ‘how valuable am I to my current – or past – company?’
Within the answer will be the first of your accomplishments.
For example: I have a client who has worked fifteen years for ABC Firm. “Nope, I have no accomplishments,” he tells me.
“Fine,” I say. “So if you were to quit your job today, the position would be eliminated?”
“Well, no. They’d have to hire someone.”
“Just someone?” I ask. “Just one person?”
“At least two people,” he says. “I do the work of two, maybe three people.”
Hmmm. “What’s your salary?” I ask.
“$60,000 a year.”
I do some quick math. “If your company would need two people to replace you, they’d have to shell out $120,000. If it were three, the number would rise to $180,000 annually. Am I correct?”
“You bet.”
“Then,” I say, “you’re saving your company $60,000-$120,000 a year by doing the work of two to three people. THAT’S an accomplishment.”
This is what every candidate needs to do when composing a resume. Brainstorm with yourself, consider your value to a company, what they’d be losing if you moved on. Whatever that is, that’s the beginning of your accomplishment.
With all achievements make certain they’re quantified – that is, they contain dollar figures, percentages of improvement and time periods. If you made your company $500,000 that’s impressive, until the hiring manager learns that it took you 20 years to do so. If you made that half million for ABC firm within six months of hire, that’s amazing.
And it’s what gets a hiring manager’s attention.
Who do you go to for references?
When you’re just starting out in your career and a hiring manager wants references, you might be stuck for an answer as to who you can use.
Here are some good suggestions that will serve you well:
1. Teachers or professors whose classes you’ve attended. Whether you know the individuals from high school or college, these professionals are great for references. They know how you performed academically and past performance is always indicative of future performance.
2. Leaders of groups you volunteered with. Were you a candy stripper? Did you help clean up the neighborhood? Were you involved in any other civic activity? If so, ask the group leaders if you can use them as a reference.
3. Girl Scouts or Boys Scouts. Most of us were members of these youth organizations. Ask your former troop leaders for their endorsement.
4. Parents who hired you to babysit their children. Again, if these adults trusted you with their offspring, it’s likely they found you responsible. They’re a great source for references.
5. Your church or religious organization. Your pastor and others affiliated with your faith are solid choices for a reference.
The idea is to think of people you’ve come into contact with who might be able to provide a clear picture of the professional, responsible person you are. It doesn’t necessarily have to be someone you’ve worked for. Everyone has a first job and references for those will likely come from school, community or personal relationships.
Interview Etiquette
Once you receive that coveted phone call inviting you to interview it’s best to remember that you only have one chance to make a stellar first impression.
Keep these tips in mind for your interview:
1. Dress appropriately. Even if the company culture is casual Friday or downright casual, it’s best to dress one step up. It shows professionalism and your seriousness about the position. The time to wear deck shoes and khakis is once you’re hired. For men, get a haircut and trim your facial hair if you have a mustache or beard. For women, keep the jewelry and makeup to a minimum and don’t wear overpowering perfumes.
2. Arrive a few minutes early. Ten to fifteen minutes is advised. It will give you time to relax before you’re called in and will show your professionalism in keeping appointments. To assure that you’ll arrive in a timely manner, drive to the office on a weekday to determine what traffic will be like, where you’ll be able to park, etc. Don’t leave these details till the last minute.
3. Be nice to the receptionist/administrative assistant. If you’re rude or demanding, they won’t forget and they may very well report it to the manager. Be courteous to all. However, it’s also wise to remember that the receptionist or secretary isn’t your best buddy. If she or he starts to talk about the company and disparages it in anyway, keep your opinions to yourself.
4. Turn off your cell phone before you’re interviewed. Nothing is more distracting or irritating than to be interrupted by someone else’s call.
5. Sit appropriately during the interview. Don’t slouch in your chair or bounce your legs up and down no matter how nervous you are. Project an image of success and you’ll be treated accordingly.
6. Never interrupt the interviewer. Yes, you want to get your points across, but barging in on anyone’s comments is rude. Once it’s your turn to speak, take a moment to reflect upon what was said and comment as well as you can.
7. Don’t have a sense of entitlement. If the first words out of your mouth are – “What’s the salary and benefits?” – you won’t be considered for the position no matter how great you believe you are. Always speak about the company’s success and how you would like to make it reach all goals.
8. For the Gen Yers – don’t bring your parents to an interview. Yes, it’s been known to happen and having your mother or father arrive with you isn’t the way to impress a hiring manager.
9. Make eye contact. Don’t stare the interviewer down, but be certain to meet his or her gaze rather than staring off into space or glancing nervously around the office.
10. Be prepared to sell yourself and to answer the usual interview questions. Don’t arrive unprepared. Practice interviewing with friends or family members.
It’s not always easy to ace an interview but it can be done with forethought and practice.
