Robin's Resumes® : traditional resume

Posts tagged ‘traditional resume’

January 8th, 2012

Online and Traditional Resumes

With so much job search activity taking place on the internet these days, it is sometimes difficult to remember that even the most tech-savvy companies still like to receive traditional resumes. And there are many companies who do not ever search for candidates online, even at business-oriented sites such as LinkedIn.

Companies like to receive traditional print or electronic applications and resumes that they can scan into their computerized Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Using an ATS, the recruiter, hiring manager or human resources personnel can quickly search through thousands of resumes for those job applicants who have the skills, experience, education and accomplishments the company is looking for.

This reliance on ATS systems is, at the moment, much stronger than any reliance on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media sites. If you were a recruiter, would you rather hunt through thousands of tweets for the one person you need or use an ATS system to evaluate the resumes sent to you?

Right now, I recommend that clients have a resume optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems.  They also need a “pretty” resume to mail or hand to an interviewer.  Job seekers who have a LinkedIn profile should make sure that it strongly and consistently reinforces their resume. Profiles may be needed on other social media sites.

If you are overwhelmed by the online, print, and electronic choices before you, give me a call. Together we will find the combination that will give you the best possible showing in the job market.

January 31st, 2011

How to Describe an Unusual Job

I often help job candidates redesign their resumes to deal with unusual job histories. A recent candidate owned her own business for several years but was ready to re-enter the corporate world. Her business had several components. Every time she tried to describe them all, her business sounded out of control and amateurish.

She needed my help in making her resume adapt to her unique experience.

We identified three major areas of her business: she delivered services, she sold products and she advised other business owners.

When I tackled her resume, I began the description of her business in the usual way with the name of the company, its location and the dates she worked there. A short summary focused on her overall responsibilities and achievements as the president and founder of the company. But then the resume departed from what you might think of as a “traditional” format.

I created three subheadings, one each for Service Provider, Product Sales and Business Consultant. Under each subhead I listed her specific achievements in that area.

The result was a clear and organized review of her business that any recruiter could follow. As a candidate she appeared knowledgeable, innovative, flexible and in charge at all times.

If you have a problem that seems to stretch the bounds of a “traditional” resume, give me a call. I know that a resume that lands interviews is more important than any tradition.