Start Your Resume - The First Words Must Mix Well
In the job search arena content rules and simplicity carries the day. Fancy graphics and multiple text blocks only make it more difficult for a hiring manager to read your resume. Your goal is to provide content that is relevant to the employer's needs and make it easy for them to find the information most critical to a successful search.
Begin construction of your resume with the most basic information. In vertical lines list the following: Your full name, your complete address with zip code, your phone numbers, including home, cell and even work number if you can be contacted there. The last line should be the email address where you can most easily be reached.
When a recruiter, human resource or hiring manager is ready to review the hundreds of resumes they have received for one single position, they will first look for a few key words commonly found in resumes of successful people in similar positions.
First Section of the Resume - Career Objectives
This two to three sentence section should address the type and level of position you seek and a brief description of prior experiences you can draw upon to help you contribute to the achievement of the company's overall objectives. You are saying "my objectives are already in line with your needs and my prior experience will allow me to efficiently recognize potential threats and opportunities in my area of responsibility." It also states that you have a track record proving success in similar positions.
Everyday, I receive resumes with objectives that state they are seeking a clinical position in a large hospital or a diagnostic position in a private practice; although these are clearly fine objectives, the problem is that they are applying for a field sales position or a dispensing position in a private practice. There is no room for this type of sloppiness when trying to make a good first impression. The objective is the first real impression on the hiring manager and too often it is the only impression one gets to leave.
Many people believe they can develop one resume for all positions they wish to apply to. They think the manager will read between the lines. Sometimes they do and it works, but most often they do not take the time to see what you are all about. Be assured that you will come out on top of at least 75% of the other applicants if you take the time to customize your objective so that it fits the position
A Few Key Words and a Sincere Objective
Stir Interest and It's Only a Matter of Time!
It is only after the reader picks up on one of the choice words in the objective that they will decide to move on and read the next paragraph. When the first paragraph addresses one or more of the key words or phrases which just happen to be in included their job description, the hiring manager will then likely have read enough to conclude that this resume belongs to a genuinely interesting applicant; one worthy of more of their time. The next section often determines if this is the beginning or the end of your consideration as a candidate. Where, if anywhere, will you go from here? This is often determined within the first 30 seconds of the resume being read.
So Timing is Everything, Right? No, But Content is!
Your "on target" objective has now allowed you fifteen additional seconds to become a qualified candidate. Focusing once again on what the manager is looking for in the job description, list five to ten key accomplishments demonstrating your understanding of the position you are applying for and your proven ability to deliver value to your employer. This is an area where you can emphasize your propensity for recognizing opportunities and taking the initiative to go the extra mile for your employer, coworkers or customers. Focus on the most important contributions you have delivered to your employers during the course of your career. These should be listed in short phrases utilizing bullet points with no further explanation. Leave them wanting more...much more.
It is OK to include a few personal accomplishments in this list as well. All of the points do not have to be a perfect match for the position. I frequently hear hiring managers say "this person is not the best one for this particular job, but we have something else coming up in another area that may be an excellent fit for this person." Include accomplishments that highlight your versatility, organizational skills and leadership qualities, as well as your technical and industry expertise.
If you find it painstakingly difficult to come up with any accomplishments, you should seriously consider whether this position is a good fit for you. Never, ever invent accomplishments for your resume. The truth always comes out eventually and then you become damaged goods. Never underestimate how fast negative information travels.
Next you will need to provide a summary of your past employers, your position, responsibilities and your accomplishments in those positions. This information needs to be factual, to the point and demonsrateable. Examples may be that you personally provided diagnostic services for several physicians while also managing a staff of 3 dispensing audiologists; or you manage 10 field sales people while also covering your own territory; exceeded sales quotas by 10%. Maybe you grew a start-up dispensing practice from zero to $500K in five years, etc. You want to show that you have already accomplished what they need done or that you have the processes in place to allow you meet their requirements based on your past experiences and achievements.
Remember this....when you quote percentages, savings, time or sales numbers, be prepared to backup your claims. The same goes for past earnings and job titles.
Next Key Resume Section - Professional Experience
(When, Whom, Where, What and Why)
This section should address your current or most recent position first and go backwards in time from there. Start with the dates of your employment (including month and year for both starting and departing the position, followed by the name of your employer's business, the city, state and your job title. Directly below, include a summary of the business' purpose, the services/products offered and other key functions of the business model.
Next create a sub-section under each job listing entitled: Accomplishments. Describe the top 3-5 major contributions or accomplishments you made while working for this company.
Examples of this are as follows:
- Lead a 15 person sales force achieving 100% of quota in every territory
- Increased my binaural sales from 20% to 63%;
- Assisted in setting up a Vestibular lab
- Negotiated lower prices on hearing aids from vendors
- Increased sales by 10% annually
- Developed a consumer marketing brochure
- Developed a referral program for physicians
- Introduced new technology to the company resulting in increased revenue
- Developed a clinical schedule assuring on time patient visits for 5 physicians, etc.
- Developed training curriculum for new employees
Note: Follow the above format for each place of employment.
If you have held positions in the last five years that you left before two years of service, it is often a good idea to make a statement as to why you left. It is especially important to point out mergers and acquisitions that may have occurred where there were layoffs, consolidation of staff or simply company name changes. Longevity in a company is generally looked upon favorably.
Employers are leery of people who have changed jobs too frequently. If there is a reasonable explanation, it is best to give it. Rest assured, if there is another explanation, it would come out eventually. Better to not get the job than to get fired for misrepresentation of your background. Sometimes addressing the issue head-on with honesty will improve your odds of getting an interview.
If you have very limited or no professional work experience follow the above model with a section titled: Externships, Internships or CFY experience. This section should include any hands-on experience and accomplishments gained through your educational requirements. It is not necessary to include this section if you have ample professional work experience.
Once you have completed the sections above, the next remaining sections of the resume are self-explanatory.
Education
Start with the most recent or in-process degree. List dates attended, followed by name of university/college, city/state, degree earned, and field of study. Continue for each school attended or degree earned. You can include training seminars if they are relevant.
Professional Licenses
List all State and National licenses starting with active and including expired. Be sure to include license numbers for current licenses.
Professional Affiliations
Examples could be, American Academy of Audiology, Academy of Dispensing Audiologist and others.
Additional Skills
List any relevant skills in which you are proficient, including computer skills, Noah, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), bilingual capabilities, etc.
References
You may state that references are available upon request or you may list the references. When references are requested, include the references' name, professional association, daytime phone number or home number and email address, if possible. Be sure to ask permission first before listing them as a reference. Also, always be sure you know what they will say about you. You would be astounded to know how many people on a candidate's reference list provide only negative information about the candidate.
Creating Your Resume Takes More Effort Than Decorating a Cake - But In Both Cases, It's What's Inside That Counts!
Your resume does not need to be filled with fancy artwork, colorful designs or tricky formatting. It simply needs to be filled with relevant facts, history, experience and a tone that conveys enthusiasm and desire. A cake can just look good and be admired. Your resume must be good.
I personally do not believe that the number of pages in a resume is or should be an issue. If you have a lot of experience that will benefit an employer, take the time to include it. Content that is interesting and relevant to the hiring manager's needs is important. Managers will continue to read if they are interested in what you have to say.
As for formatting and type style, the best advice I can give is to Keep It Simple!Most recruiters and HR Managers will enter your resume into their database. It will be coded and saved for future, if not immediate use. The more symbols and boxes in a resume, the more likely the formatting will be skewed, often without your knowledge. It can take an hour or more to repair the resume format, just to get it ready to submit to a Client. Therefore to be on the safe side, use an easy to read font, medium size type and keep your focus on the content, not the decorations, unless you are creating a cake complete with fluff and icing.
Make sure your basic word processing skills are up to date and always use spell check before submitting a resume. Be sure to keep up with the electronic times. If you cannot submit a resume electronically in this day, many managers will think you probably can't do much of anything else either.
Developing an effective resume, like anything else of value, takes time, introspection and considerable effort. Your resume is a reflection of you, as a person, an employee and a professional. It is your calling card, your unique fingerprint, your own personal billboard...it is the recipe that shows what you are made of ... how you can be mixed and blended to create new ideas and plans. Your unique recipe can and should be the key to a bright and successful future. Use it wisely and with care.
About Martie Ormsby
Ms. Martie Ormsby is the founder and President of Recruiting Solutions, International. Prior to starting RSI, she worked within the hearing aid industry for 17 years, holding positions such as Field Sales Representative, Sales and Marketing Manager, VP of Sales and Marketing and President/COO of the North American division of a major international manufacturing company. She was the first woman in the industry to become President of an international manufacturing company.
As a great supporter of the field of Audiology, MS. Ormsby was awarded the Audiology Awareness Award from ADA in 1995 for her support of and outstanding contribution to the field of Audiology, being the first non-Audiologist to receive such an award.
She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a BA in Speech Communications and West Chester State University, West Chester, PA with a MA in Speech Pathology.
About Recruiting Solutions International
Recruiting Solutions, Intl. is an International recruiting firm with a primarily focus within the Hearing Care Industry and the Field of Audiology. Founded in 1998, based on a belief in and commitment to the hearing industry and the practice of Audiology, Ms. Ormsby recognized the trend of increasing difficulties in finding highly-qualified people to meet the needs of the hearing impaired patient, as well as the multifaceted needs of the manufacturing, operations and distribution entities. Recruiting Solutions, Intl. also provides recruiting services for professional and industrial companies in a variety of other industries.
Recruiting Solutions, Intl is based in New London, NC and provides services on a global basis. Contact information: (336) 461-8810 or www.recruitingsolutionsintl.com.
