Welcome to this week's edition of your Job Market Minute: it's designed to give you valuable career search advice that will take less than 60 seconds to read...
A quick reminder: My monthly Resume Reboot workshop, free and open to the public, is coming up this Thursday afternoon at the Johnson County Public Library. If you haven't attended this workshop and you're not getting the responses you'd like from your resume, it will be well worth your two hours to attend! To register and receive the free Resume Reboot manual, just click here.
A lot of times when job seekers are getting ready for their initial interview with HR, they try to read their mind. Of course, this ability would be nice in this situation, but I think you'll find guessing to be a waste of time.
The question on everyone's mind going into an interview is probably the same- What are they looking for in a candidate? However, I recommend not saying this out loud. While good questions are always encouraged in an interview, this one can usually be portrayed as- What do I need to say to get this job?
Well from a recruiting perspective,they've already done their research and read your resume to determine you are qualified for the position. They are now looking to answer the big question- Is this person a good fit?
It's important for an HR manager or recruiter to determine if a candidate is a good fit so their solution isn't temporary. Once they have determined your skills or experience match up to what they need, they are looking for a personality fit and a culture fit. They need someone who has done their homework and will be able to immediately contribute.
HR managers and recruiters often receive a large volume of resumes that look extremely similar. If your resume looks extremely similar to the job description, how are you going to stand out? Remember this: Use your resume to show that you are a well-rounded person, and do it in this way -
In the summary statement at the top of your resume, explain in no uncertain terms WHY your unique combination of experience, education, skills and achievements position you perfectly for the job you are applying for. Spell it out for them so they don't have to connect the dots between what you've done in the past and what you can do for them.
If becoming well-rounded is something you need to work on, start by building your volunteer background, hopefully in some sort of leadership capacity. If you are currently unemployed and looking for a job, you could also find this to be a great networking opportunity. Nonprofit leaders are usually very well-connected people.
Having additional things such as volunteer work on your resume will show you have balance between your personal and work life. This says you value the opportunity to make the most of your time both inside and outside of work. Most importantly, show that you do more than just show up for work every day.
Setting yourself apart is the first step. Next week, I'll explain how HR managers and recruiters typically go about finding candidates and then choosing the right one.
Make it a productive week, Tammy! Go get 'em!
Warm Regards,
Tammy Kabell
Career Resume Consulting
(816)600-2478
