One resume is never enough

A résumé is a tool, a document that paves the way towards an interview and/or a new job. That much can be hardly objected to. Indeed, if that were the only purpose of a résumé then I wouldn’t be writing this article. The truth is that there are many jobs and many résumés and only a very slender portion of each are suited to each other. Imagine an electrician applying for a position as a schoolteacher or vice versa. The situation is plainly absurd. So why aren’t you tailoring your résumé for each and every job you apply for?

The example is hyperbolic but the situation is far too common. I’ve often heard of submitted résumés with little to no specialised content, general documents that even appear to have been sent accidentally. Recruiters reading these particular résumés automatically discard them and move on to the next. That’s assuming they progress beyond the ATS and into a human’s hands.

The balance of power in the application process lies naturally with the employer. Once you’ve been employed, you assimilate into that power but while you’re unemployed and searching for jobs, you have to understand and appreciate your position. There are limits to this behaviour – don’t act overtly respectful and grovel to prospective employers – but generally the humbler you are, at least internally, the better chance of success you have. How does this manifest itself? In the effort and minimal time it takes to ensure your résumé recognises and respects the specificity of the job and the employer.

Almost all résumés include basic details, a skeletal edition of the final product. The bones include employment history, complete with achievements and responsibilities, certifications, industry-specific skills, hobbies and a profile, all accompanied by the personal information you would disclose to any number of organisations. Résumés in this state are useful for your personal reference and to act as a foundation for the submitted document but they definitely aren’t complete. Is a human complete with just a skeleton? No, it exists as a bare minimum, just like a general résumé.

The flesh, sinew and muscle are added in the form of information included exclusively for the job you are applying for. When I have conversations about this further information, a common response is “Why do I have to add any more? The job is in x industry, I have worked is x industry for a number of years and feel I would be perfect for the role”. Here lies a fatal mistake in the application process. There is a major difference between being well suited for a job on paper and being successful with your application for an identical job in real life.

Hopefully by now you’ve accepted that your résumé needs to be tailored individually for each job, and you’re now wondering how to make the necessary changes. As always, the best place to start is with the crude information available to you, in this case the job advertisement. The description of the position included within the advertisement is not just for informing the public. It also contains valuable clues as to what to include in your résumé. Peruse the description and extract key phrases to use later. Recruiters can normally distinguish between genuine and falsified placement of keywords so attempt to incorporate them seamlessly into larger paragraphs.

The next step is suggested in its name – the profile. Normally the profile in the title is interpreted as a reference to the author of the résumé, a statement from you about you, pleading your individuality. However, it would also be appropriate to view the title in a different sense – a ‘profile’ in its treatment of the company, personally tailored to the company’s needs. In other words, the profile is an excellent opportunity to turn yourself into the ideal employee for the company. Think of the model described by the job description and mimic it in your choice of vocabulary and style of writing.

Now it’s time to present your own information, namely your employment history. As aforementioned, records and descriptions of your prior work engagements form one of the essential components of a résumé template. Since it has to be there anyway, why don’t you capitalise upon its inclusion? Again, scatter key words convincingly within job descriptions and include achievements or other actions most likely to leave a positive impression on the employer. Remember to clearly state your worth to the company while remaining formal in your tone. The combination of these factors will convince recruiters that you are perfectly suited for the role.

For a free appraisal of your resume send it to mark.daniel@orangecollar.com.au

Orange Collar is a Mining, Civils, Energy and Resources Hub covering the whole of Australia. Our team of specialised professionals offer no-nonsense recruitment, professionally written resumes, unique DIY Resume packages and results focused HR Consultancy. Register at www.orangecollar.com.au