Does your resume pass the six-second test?
Ken Pelczarski | TLT Career Coach September 2018
Resumes are read by computers today—better make sure yours hits the key points fast.
You’re fortunate if yours is one of the 25% of resumes making it past the software to a live person.
© Can Stock Photo / abidal
Despite the shortage of talent in today’s job market, it is as difficult as ever to obtain an in-person or telephone interview. While employers often receive 200-300 resumes or more for a position, their time and resources for interviewing are limited.
In most cases, even when you are recommended for a job by a mutual friend or know someone who works with the prospective employer, your resume will largely determine whether you are invited for an interview. As an added challenge, your resume often needs to survive screening both by a computer software program called Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and by a human resources manager and/or a hiring manager.
Approximately 50% of all employers today use an ATS. There are literally 100-plus common software systems in use, some of which are older, exact-match systems. You will encounter an ATS at all types of employers, although it is more likely to see one at larger companies. Below are estimates from many studies regarding percentage of employers using an ATS:
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75%-90% or more of Fortune 500 companies
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60% or more of mid-size companies
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Under 25% of small companies.
Consider yourself fortunate and well-prepared if yours is one of the approximately 25% of resumes that make it past the ATS to be reviewed by a live person. Below are resume-writing tips to increase your chances of passing the ATS hurdle.
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Tailor your resume to each job application
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Match job title with advertised position
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Include numerous keywords that appear in the job description
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Use high-quality/high-weighted keywords
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Pad keywords into the skills section
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Include dates of employment
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Avoid age-related information
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Skip abbreviations
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Spell out industry acronyms in parenthesis
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Have simple, consistent formatting
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Spell words correctly
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Avoid serif fonts such as Times New Roman and Cambria
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Use bullet points instead of fancy symbols
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Remove headers and footers
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Save resume as a Word document.
It is estimated that most employers will give the top half of the first page of your resume about a six-second look to determine whether to give the entire resume a much closer look. It is critical to structure your resume to gain immediate interest by having the right things stand out in the top half of the first page.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FIRST PAGE
Contact information
This is a straight-forward item under which you need to make it easy for employers to contact you. Include your full name, physical address, email address and best phone number (personal, not your employer’s) at which to reach you.
Job title
This is an optional item to include on your resume that will be received well by the employer if your listed job title is the same or similar as the title of the advertised position. If necessary, tailor the job title to the position. The title should be representative of your experience and what you want to do in your next position and not simply what the employer wants to hear.
Job objective
Professional opinions are mixed on including a job objective in your resume. If written well, it can go a long way toward getting you an interview, although a summary of qualifications can easily substitute for a job objective. If you choose to write a job objective, tailor it to the advertised position.
A general rule is to be specific but not too limiting with your stated objective. Within the objective, you may want to state (a.) potential job titles, (b.) desired responsibilities, (c.) type of company you want to work for, (d.) kind of work environment you desire and (e.) strengths and skills you want to utilize.
Summary of qualifications
It has been a trend for many years to include in the top half of your first resume page a section such as summary of qualifications, summary of skills, areas of competence, areas of expertise or career highlights instead of or in addition to a job objective. Be sure to state in short-paragraph form your primary skills and strengths that relate to your career goals.
List of skills
This is often the most eye-catching and hard-hitting part of a resume. The skills section is usually organized in two or three columns and can include up to 10-15 primary skills that are each described in a few words or less. This is a perfect opportunity to ensure that listed skills match up well with keywords in the job description. Employers typically pay close attention to this section in the first few seconds of viewing a resume.
Select accomplishments
Accomplishments are most often listed next to bullet points under each individual job on a resume. You may capture quick attention from the employer, however, by listing 2-3 select accomplishments related to the advertised position. Use action words such as negotiated, built, turned around, saved, spearheaded and resolved. Be concise and quantify whenever possible.
Certifications
Lubricant industry certification designations such as CLS, CMFS and OMA can be listed next to an individual’s name at the top of the resume to draw immediate attention from a prospective employer. Certifications will otherwise be listed under the education category.
Education
It can be a tough decision whether to place education near the top of your resume before work experience or place it afterward. A general rule is to consider placing it near the top if you graduated in the past few years or if your education is a big selling point for the advertised position. If you are a recent graduate, include internships in this category. Be sure to note honors and high grade point average.
Work experience
Your work history will typically begin to be listed on the bottom half of the first resume page. As the employer’s eyes wander down this page, it is important to have the right things stand out in your most recent position.
It should be clear to the employer at first glance (a.) what the company does, (b.) the amount of time you worked there, (c.) your job title, (d.) your primary responsibilities and (e.) your main accomplishments. If your most recent position(s) is not related to the advertised position, pertinent experience should be pointed out clearly in a cover letter.
Structure and format
Below are important guidelines to follow when constructing the top half of your first resume page:
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Easy-to-read
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Plentiful white space
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Avoid long paragraphs
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Use white paper
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No photos
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Use Calibri, Arial or Helvetica font (11 or 12 point)
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Use as many keywords/buzzwords as possible
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Use bullet points or make items bold
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Use only well-known abbreviations and acronyms
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Be consistent with formatting
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Use Spellcheck and proofread carefully.
Below is a recommended sequence for items in the top half of your first resume page:
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Contact information
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Job title (optional)
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Job objective (optional)
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Summary of qualifications (in addition to or instead of job objective)
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List of skills
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Select accomplishments (optional)
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Certifications (designations can be added next to your name)
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Education (alternatively can be placed after work experience)
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Work experience (most recent job first).
Many of the same rules and principles apply to preparing a resume to satisfy computer software versus a real person. There are differences, however, and you must strike a balance between the two.
Create a powerful resume that will pass all tests and get you on stage for an interview where you can showcase your talents and goals.
Ken Pelczarski is owner and founder of Pelichem Associates, a Chicago-based search firm established in 1985 and specializing in the lubricants industry. You can reach Ken at (630) 960-1940 or at pelichem@aol.com.