Meeting Employers Needs

Is there a way to guarantee that your job application will receive a positive response? We could certainly say with conviction that a favorable reply to your job application literally does rest in your hands - in the form of your resume! A resume that is bang on target, is one that knows the employer's mind and anticipates the employer's requirements.

In most cases, when candidates send their resumes and end up waiting endlessly for that elusive interview call, it could be their resume that is not doing what it is supposed to do. A smart and professional resume never fails to make an impact and with some valuable tips and pointers, you too would be able to create one that can speak for you and represent all that you stand for, putting you in top contention for the job you desire.

What to keep in mind before you begin

Reading about the organization: An important step that most applicants simply omit before framing their resume is to find out more about the company where you are applying for a job. Every organization has its value system and ethos that it functions by and if you could identify those and reflect them in your resume, it would do wonders for your candidature. Targeting the right keywords and placing them strategically in your resume gives the recruiters the impression that you would fit in well with the ideology and work culture of the company.
Using the correct terminology: Building your resume using words that are an intrinsic part of the industry language of that particular field portrays your familiarity, expertise and confidence in your subject. However this should be done with some restraint as overdoing the same may prove to be a bit of a setback.

More important tips on how your resume should look:

The correct length: There is an unwritten rule that if you have less than 5 years of experience, your resume should not exceed one page. But this is flexible and what is more important is how you have presented the information and whether it is clear and easy to read
Does it match the job profile and project you as the ideal candidate?: The recruiter will probably scan your resume for a brief 20 seconds in which you should be able to advertise yourself as the best person for the post. Your resume should market your potential emphatically and clearly. For this you must ensure that you can encapsulate your strengths and key skills in the first one-third of your resume to trigger the reader's interest and force a longer and deeper look at the resume.
Wording the objective tactfully: If you choose to begin your resume with an objective, try to focus on the needs of the employer rather than just talking about your goals and aspirations. Introduce yourself with a crisp and smart statement which clearly shows what you can offer. Eg- "Senior Finance Consultant possessing vast knowledge and experience in economic strategies and finance management". This makes an immediate connection with the employers as they can assess your potential contribution to the company.
Link responsibilities with your specific achievements: Instead of making general statements like, "contributed towards the growth of the company" it would be more meaningful to say, "Implemented schemes that resulted in 30% increase in sales". Such an input clearly underlines your abilities and gives the recruiters an idea of what can be expected of you should you be hired. Make sure that you back all the responsibilities from prior experience that you have stated, with some accomplishment that you can take credit for. Merely mentioning routine tasks undermines the value of your resume.
Presentation and readability: Great care must be taken to ensure that the resume looks neat, professional and attractive. Use proper fonts of the correct size, preferably 12, that make reading easy and effortless. Use bold print to highlight the headings and insert bullets judiciously to emphasize key points. You could refer to the sample resumes on our site to get an idea of the layout and the overall look of the document.
Strictly no typographical errors: Spelling and grammatical mistakes are big turn-offs and project the candidate as either incompetent or careless and this is the last thing that any applicant would want. Therefore it is absolutely essential to proof read your resume several times before finally sending it. It would be a good idea to ask a friend or family member to go through it as well just to ensure that it is error free.
Include only what is relevant: You might be tempted to mention past achievements that you are proud of but which have no real bearing on the job profile of the post you have applied for. Refrain from writing about your hobbies or giving too many personal details such as age or the number of children you have. It would also be prudent to leave out any reference to any political leanings that you may subscribe to.
Make your resume internet friendly: Most job applications today happen online where you would be posting your resume on the internet. You should make sure that certain keywords specific to your job appear in your resume so that it would get through the initial automatic scanning process. Also, do remember to make your resume in a 'text only' format for it to be in a readable form online.

So go ahead, don't hesitate to flaunt your strengths and blow your own trumpet albeit in a tactful manner. A resume that is a good blend of professional appeal and individual potential would certainly trigger the interest of your prospective employers and make them want to meet you in person. Receiving an interview call is the ultimate goal of any resume and our invaluable tips would help you craft one that fetches you opportunities galore.