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A lot has changed in hiring over the last decade, but two key elements from the old-school job search have stuck around: the résumé and the interview. We’ll cover both over the next two newsletters.
A modern résumé for 2023 might look the same as one you used to get your first job, but Andrew Fennell from StandOut CV has a few important tactics to optimize it (as well as a few pitfalls to avoid): |
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After receiving a résumé, the average hiring professional will spend just six to eight seconds scanning through it to determine whether or not the candidate is right for the role.
Not only this, but as recruiters increasingly rely on Application Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them manage the hiring process, you need to optimize your résumé with the right keywords to get it past the bots.Revisit the job description you're looking at and highlight any keywords relevant to your career. You can then pepper these throughout your application to help both recruiters and robots determine whether you’re a good fit for the job. Be careful not to overdo it, though. While a bot might have the first review, your résumé should ultimately be written for real people. |
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When it comes to inviting candidates in for an interview, most employers no longer rely on a résumé alone. In fact, 90% say they find social media important when evaluating a candidate.
For example, you might wish to include the details of your LinkedIn and Instagram accounts alongside your contact information. Just make sure that for whatever profiles you link to, confirm these are up-to-date and that they don’t contain any inappropriate or unprofessional content. |
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It’s long been understood that bullet points are a helpful way to format information on a résumé and make it easier for the recruiter to read and digest. However, one or two vague bullet points won't cut it in 2023.
Instead, you need to make better use of more bullet points in your experience section, ideally including between four to five points that showcase your skill set.You should also use these bullet points to quantify your most relevant and impressive achievements related to each role. |
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| Avoid These Common Pitfalls |
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 | Using An Unprofessional Email Address: It occupies just a small space at the top of your résumé, and yet the effect your email address has on how employers perceive you is huge. So if your email reads something like ‘TopGolfer99@gmail.com,’ consider creating a new email address for your job hunt. In most cases, it’s best to simply claim an address using your name, or a close variation if it has already been taken. |
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| A Bad File Name: It’s important to remember that the filename will be visible to recruiters when you attach your résumé to an email or application, so it must look professional. Saving your résumé with a name like ‘My résumé - draft 3 - FS job’ does not give the best impression. It looks clumsy, and it might also give away that you’re applying to multiple roles at once. Although you are perfectly within your right to do this, it can show you’re less dedicated to their specific company and position. |
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| Including Salary Expectations: You want to get the most from your job offer, but including your salary expectations or history on your résumé can be a major red flag to hiring managers. If you set the bar too low, you'll short-change yourself, and if you set the bar too high, your résumé might end up on the rejection pile. Plus, talking about money prematurely can imply that you're only interested in the job for the money and not because you're genuinely passionate about the company or position. So unless you’re specifically asked, it's best to leave this off. |
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All of these tips are building up to one tough reality: it’s best to tailor your résumé to each role you’re applying for. While your experience and timeline will stay the same, you should call out and highlight specific experiences or skills that suit the position you are applying for.
We hope this newsletter has been useful to you and your job search so far. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s email, which will cover expert advice on interviewing. |
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