Winning Resumes and Winning The Interview

Gail LockyerPh 0439 756 746

www.halfdaypa.com.au

Having a resume that stands out of the crowd without shouting is important if you wish to be the best candidate sitting in the interview chair.

With a few key details included in your resume, that lucky person could be YOU.Ensure it is clearly outlining your credentials and professional presentation as

being the key to getting your resume on the top of the "yes" list.

WHERE DO YOU START? Whilst some of the fundamental details like your age is no longer required, they'll work that out for themselves, recruitment officers look at many aspects. Is he/she a team player? Does the candidate move around from

job to job or town to town too much for the position? Are they job ready or do we need to invest in training?

Winning Resumes

Career HistoryWhen writing up your career history, ensure the dates of

employment are accurate and there is no overlapping or major gaps. If you were out of work for some time, explain the gap. Were you travelling? Were you studying? Were you caring for sick member of the family?

None of these are deal breakers but will give the potential employer the best insight into who you are. Never state that you were simply unemployed.

Getting the wording right• The creative art of resume writing demands some specific achievement

words in your career history. Not just a job description but areas of responsibility. Even a kitchen hand has areas of responsibility if only for emptying the bins. Do you impliment something? Facilitate meetings? Design a system? Manage a section? you get the picture.

• Some recruitment organisations will also run your resume through various programs that highlight your achievement words and other specific words to measure your suitability to the selection criteria. Have you covered all criteria?

Education & Qualifications• Your education and qualifications are a very important aspect

of a resume, after all you want to 'sell' yourself as the best candidate. Consider every course that is work-related and include that. Show the potential employer that you invest in training to be the best candidate and keeping your skills up to date.

• If you can quote the course coding i.e. BSB51107 Dip of Management etc. it is easily recognised.

Referees

• Some people are reluctant to specify their referees however it will be one of the first requests made once you get to the interview. In some circumstances, it may make the difference of actually getting that interview as some companies will call your referees prior to interview. If you can't be open with your referees, that could create a problem.

• Always check with your referees and advise them that you are seeking alternative employment so that they are prepared and not caught by surprise. Sometimes if the referee is difficult to contact by phone, put their email address in as well. After all, you want to make it as easy as possible for you to be part of their team.

• It is advisable to include minimum 3 business or work-related referees and minimum of one personal referee.

How Long Is Your Resume?• Your resume should only be 3-4 pages long depending on the

level of the position and your experience. When employers or recruitment officers have many, many resumes to read, they want you to keep it short.

• Don't write 'War and Peace' or your life history, only career history for the past 8 - 10 years is sufficient. Prior to that it is considered past tense and out of date. It will also reveal your age if you have a 30 year history.

Writing The Winning Cover Letter• Writing a cover letter is nearly more important than the resume itself.

After all, it is the 'cover' for your resume so it becomes the attention grabber for your application. Why would you write a letter that nobody notices? I'm not suggesting your go outrageous with almost shouting to the recipient. No way! But to create a standout cover letter, or application letter is essential to be put on the YES pile for interviews. So how do you manage that?

• A cover letter should demonstrate to the reader that you have read the job ad carefully and that you are truly interested in that particular job. You will not even get a look at if you send a resume that does not come with a cover letter.

Some Do’s & Don’tsThe cover letter should:• Be to the point. Should clearly link your experience to the role being

advertised. • Be no more than three to four paragraphs long. • Be positive and upbeat. Make the hiring manager interested in reading

your resume. • The cover letter should NOT: • Be a summary or repeat of your resume. • Be a uniform letter you send with all job applications

Resume Scanners• A Resume Scanner is developed

software that is programmed to search for key words and phrases within your Resume. The scanner enables your Resume to qualify for the position, enabling it to get to the HR Managers desk.

• It helps to have matching key words and phrases, which mirror the advertisements criteria within you Resume. This will guarantee you to withstand the Resume scanning process, and the software's expectations and demands. This will mean that you will have to edit your resume to suit the position description and criteria with key words.

Key Words In LetterIt is essential to research your position thoroughly,

and familiarise yourself with all possible phrases and key words.

For an example:Position Criteria states: • Must have OH & S knowledge - Your Resume key matching phrase: Strong

knowledge and practice of OH & S Position Criteria states: Good

• Communication and interpersonal skills - Your Resume key matching phrase: Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, providing advice to staff and management

Getting It Right• Large organisations no longer look at the individual (You) walking through

the reception doors to an awaiting job position. You won't even know what the décor is like, or if reception has a water fountain, unless you first pass through their Resume scanning software.

• Yes, you're the best in your field! Yes, you're the absolute finest in your field! This is not detected in the scanning process, as the software that reads your Resume/CV starts before you even hit first base in your application process.

• By getting this right, it will enable you to pass through the initial scanning process, and it will get you through to the final selection stage.

Do Your Research• It is advisable to also check the companies website (if known) prior to

writing the letter so you can reveal some enthusiasm and knowledge about the company. It's all about making you the BEST candidate for the position.

• Then if you are fortunate to secure the interview, you will also come across as informed and therefore interested in the company. If you are interested in the company, they should be a little more interested in you.

• Ensure you also research where the business is located if you have to attend an onsite interview.

• Would you be prepared to relocate to accept this position? What impact would that have on the rest of your life/family etc.?

Need a helping hand?Want a truly professional Resume?

Contact Gail Lockyer

Ph 0439 756 746www.halfdaypa.com.au info@halfdaypa.com.au