I’ve often mentioned here the importance of reading job postings. They describe the hard and soft skills, experience, and accomplishments that companies went to see in any resume from a job applicant. Keywords like “college graduate” or “at least five years of industry experience” or “FRM certified” should find a place in your resume if you can meet those qualifications.
However, it is important not to regurgitate a job posting word for word. You also want to show in your own words that you understood the job posting and its criteria. If you merely copy the job posting, your resume proclaims that you are incapable of original thought, are a cookie-cutter candidate, and are too lazy to explain how and why you meet the recruiter’s or hiring manager’s expectations.
It is important, also, to think beyond one job posting. Many companies write job postings or advertisements that are vague, confusing or incomplete. Check out several job postings in your field from a variety of companies to build a fuller picture of what recruiters and hiring managers are expecting. A visit to the hiring company’s website might also expand your knowledge of the company’s unexpressed needs. If your resume or cover letter addresses those needs, you are definitely ahead of the pack of applicants.
When looking for job postings, do not become fixated on a specific job title. Look instead for positions that match your skill set and career goals. Job titles often vary from industry to industry, from company to company, and even from division to division. If you are excited about a job, its current rewards, and its potential, the job title should not stand in your way.
If you need help using job postings to your advantage, please contact me at Robin’s Resumes™.