In the fast-paced world of recruiting where numerous resumes are getting sifted through sophisticated ATS systems, there seems to be a gap that jobseekers fail to address.
The Human Factor
Many of those resumes are still being looked at by humans. People do hire people. Ultimately, if you can forward your résumé directly into the hands of the hiring manager, recruiter, or company owner, you don’t have to worry about making it out of the applicant tracking system in order to secure an interview.
Approximately 75 percent of jobs are never formally advertised; only about 5 percent of candidates are hired from job postings. Focus on getting your résumé to the right person in order to land an interview. It’s important to bypass the ATS, especially if you don’t have the “perfect” qualifications outlined in the job posting.
On a regular basis, I am asked by clients why their original resume is not generating any responses. When I review their existing resume and offer a detailed and objective assessment, it becomes quite clear about the varying factors that contribute to their lack-lustre resume.
Here are just 10 reasons why your resume may not succeed:
The resume lacks focus without a clear career target. Your resume is not customized towards any specific role, but reflects a general resume employing a one-size-fits-all approach.
The summary profile may be too wordy or too long, or your resume lacks a brief summary profile that fails to give the employer a quick snapshot of your experience and offerings.
The resume is in a functional format making it hard for the employer to connect together your skills, experience, and dates as well as corresponding achievements.
The resume contains typos or spelling errors which communicate carelessness.
The resume lacks the right keywords or no keywords to communicate critical skills or specialties.
The resume lacks quantitative achievements and is mainly focused on outlining duties and responsibilities – what you have done instead of proven results that set you apart.
The resume lacks an eye-catching professional design to grab the prospective employer’s attention.
The resume is incomplete or inconsistent with content, formatting, style, dates and experience etc.
The resume fails to address employment gaps, job-hopping, or gaps in skills, experience, and/or education with projects, professional development or community leadership roles.
The resume lacks the appropriate strategy to address a career transition.
These are just some of the reasons why your resume may not be receiving the attention it needs to.
Using a coherent resume strategy coupled with a networking plan, a professional achievement-focused resume can be customized to showcase your unique value.
Whether you are planning your next career transition or need a strategic resume that delivers results, contact Lori Jazvac at 905.730.2374 or creativehorizonsresumes@gmail.com.