I was talking to Terrie Q. Sayre on her Radio Show, Saturdays at 9:00 AM Pacific Time in the Albuquerque & Santa Fe metropolitan area on 770 AM KKOB. It was a great time for me, and during that interview, she asked me a question about how to "tweak a resume" to help to have a better chance to get a job. I agreed that I would write a blog about this subject as we were out of time to discuss.
After that show, I talked to Robyn Lighthammer who is Vice President of Human Resources at my company O2 Media. I asked her for some thoughts on the subject and she not only responded to the resume question, but gave some really great tips for job seekers, so I thought I would simply give you her thoughts. Trust me, she does a great deal of hiring for us, and she knows what she looks for. These are "insider" information and I recommend that any of you reading pay serious attention to these ideas:
§ ALWAYS include a professionally written cover letter and better yet... craft the cover letter around the actual position you are applying for and even best...write the cover letter around the company for which you are applying. SELL yourself here! Cover letters ARE read and they DO say a lot about who you are!
§ Double, triple and quadruple check for typos in everything you submit - from an email- cover letter to resume and more!
§ Research, research and research the company you are applying to! Know what they do inside and out- so that if the HR Director calls you to interview you over the phone, you will know all about the company- the job and more and will come across as a participant in the recruiting process...not just another number
§ If you have gaps in your employment, address those in the cover letter
§ The same goes for short term employment dates... If your short term assignment was due to a company layoff or downsizing, state that in the cover letter or in the resume to show reason for your swift departure
§ Always answer all the questions posed in the employment advertisement ie Salary expectations etc. This will prove to the recruiter that you pay attention to details and that you are taking this application process seriously
§ Have friends, family or even a business associates review your resume and look for critiques
§ Remember the 15 second rule- Typically most recruiters will give your resume about a 15-30 second review. Sell yourself in that time or less and if need be, tailor the resume with words or duties/tasks that you have specifically performed in your past employment
§ When you receive a phone call from a recruiter/HR dept etc, call them back IMMEDIATLEY. Have a pep in your voice and demonstrate great enthusiasm. Limit background distractions such as crying children, barking dogs, poor cellular connections, doorbells and more. Give them your undivided attention and be prepared
§ Even if a phone interview or in person interview turns into a position that you would NOT be interested in... Keep very Positive and upbeat throughout as even if this job turns out that it is not one which you so desire...the HR person/ recruiter or more many have another friend in the in business, may know of someone or something else that they may want to present your resume for. Keep that in mind always- Sell yourself always...You NEVER know where it will lead you.
§ Search on every source known on the internet for recruiting- Write old friends, business associates and ask for referrals- Network, network, network- Join LinkedIn- Post your resume on the services such as Monster, Hot Jobs and more. People will call you as there are thousands of recruiters out there searching resume databases all the time for talent!
§ Be professional, take yourself seriously-and have confidence in yourself!!
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