A Resume Might Only Have Seconds To Impress

A Resume Might Only Have Seconds To Impress Recruiters often tell me that they have to review dozens or even hundreds of resumes for open positions. Some resumes get an initial scan of just a few seconds. The plus side of reading so many resumes is that hiring personnel get good at spotting the best ones fast. For job seekers, this means you need to ensure your resume qualifies you quickly. It needs to convert you from a passive applicant to a serious candidate in a snap! This also means you need to stop sabotaging your job search with a weak resume.   Its happening.   All. The. Time. Just this week, a hiring manager told me he almost overlooked what turned out to be a perfect candidate. Why? Because the resume was weak. The manager did an initial scan, thought nothing great here, and moved on. So how did this candidate go from being almost overlooked to being made an OFFER (which he accepted)? In the end the hiring authority took a chance and reached out to the applicant for a quick phone screen.   And he was blown away. The applicant was ready. He spoke concisely on job requirements. He shared clear examples. He made an amazing impression over the phone…was brought in for the interview…nailed the in-person interview…and was given an offer! Yet this candidate was so close to being passed by. So close to missing out on this perfectly suited opportunity. All because his resume was poorly compiled. So I repeat: stop sabotaging your job search with a weak resume. A  resume can be a critical component in the hiring process. It acts as a first impression, especially if you don’t have an inside contact or referral to vouch for you. Have you ever spent hours compiling the perfect PowerPoint presentation for a work project? Committed a large chunk of time researching for a paper? Worked overtime to deliver the perfect end-product to a customer? Give your resume this same investment. That dream job you want isnt worth the gamble using just an ok resume. Imagine how the right resume could change your career trajectory or your entire life! It might take you hours to write a solid resume, but if it gets you noticed for a job that you are qualified for and excited about = it was worth every, single, second of effort. Don’t let your resume sell you short. Write it with purpose and intent, so it qualifies you quickly. Looking for good resume resources to help you get started? Try these:   How to Add Achievements Into Your Resume Executive Resume Strategy Lead with Results Top 100 Resume Tips (Free EGuide!)