One of the biggest mysteries of resume writing is trying to decode the minds of hiring managers. How in the world can we possibly know what they want when each person is different? The truth is, each hiring manager may look for something slightly different, but on the whole, they hope to find blanket basics in all resumes. Take a look at four ways that can help you to get that much closer to giving most hiring mangers what they want in your resume:
1. Provide a Stable Work History
Employers want to see consistency in the resumes they review. Unfortunately, if you have changed jobs a lot, this could mean to an employer that you might jump ship soon after they've hired you- which, of course, is something they don't want to see happen. So if you have gaps in your history but have filled them in as a volunteer or temp, be sure to include it to show some level of consistency in your history.
2. Connect with Company Initiatives
It's crucial that your resume exhibits your understanding of the company's needs as well as an ability to meet those needs. Look closely at the job posting and even dig deeper by looking at the company's mission and any recent news in the media to find out what it is lacking and wants from its next employee. Then list accomplishments and skills that align with those wants.
3. Include Awards and Testimonials
Making your resume unique not only helps it stand out from the pack but actually makes the process easier for the hiring manager who is thumbing through what seems to be a mountain of carbon-copy resumes. So be sure to include awards you've won that could spark the manager's interest. And even include testimonials from people who recommend you for employment. Listing two or three testimonials right on your resume could entice the manager enough to want to know even more about you via an interview.
4. Make Formatting a Priority
Hiring managers already have huge jobs ahead of them when faced with a stack of resumes to look through. You definitely don't want to make their jobs more difficult by submitting a document that's formatted in such a way that it's challenging to scan quickly for vital information. Be sure to include numerous headings, subheadings, bullet points, and other tools to create white space and make reading simple. As you can imagine, getting your resume read gets you that much closer to an interview.
Hiring managers aren't puzzling like Rubik's Cubes, as we might assume. They're human and simply want to effectively complete the task of hiring a qualified candidate to fill a position. By spending time giving them what they want in a resume, your chances of being hired improve significantly.
4 Ways to Give Hiring Managers What They Want in Resumes
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Good information for job seekers. Except on, "#1. Provide A Stable Work History." There seems to be no mention in your subtopic #1., about a history gap involving medical. Such as, when a job seeker can no longer practice what their degree is in because of a permanent disability created during surgery!The gap could involve further surgery and lengthy occupational therapy. This gap could involve a period, 8 years. No hiring manager would conclude this possibility. This gap cannot be filled with volunteer work. How does a job seeker with this type of situation present on a resume? I am aware of the "Rights for Individuals with Disabilities." A victim once from a negligent doctor. And, now a victim of the job seeker's world. Heading to graduate school, but in the mean time....(PS NEVER receive any compensation! Doctor is STILL practicing! A story for a book someday! -
BERNADETTE G •Good Information
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Evelyn U •Thanks for this for the useful information
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EARLENE W •I REALLY LIKE THIS INFORMATION. IT IS VERY HELPFUL
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Sarah W •Helpful except in situations where a person has been harassed, bullied in the workplace and was laid off 2 months before being eligible for the dental plan, etc. To have had a co-worker take another aside and calls them names, & that everyone hated them' is inappropriate as well as the Manager telling the person to just get over it. Also, having dealt with another co-worker holding a freezer door closed with the lights off when a person is inside, is not appropriate and should not get upset when the person inside reports the incident.
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Bettye L •This information is great; really help put your resume in prospective view. Thanks
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Renee R •Great very helpful
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Eric K •I would not say age is a major factor with many employers. However, one must be realistic in todays job market. Salaries and compensation packages are not what they once were, but older workers usually provide more stability, experience, and least likely to jump ship for new opportunties.
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Elijah m •this is great information. i like it.
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Antonio D •Great hints/tips, very useful. thank you
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mike m •thank you, it helped, still need work local to home
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good suggestions re: make yours stand out. Look at company goals, what is lacking etc. good hints!
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Mayra V •This is great info and it sounds pretty much what I got that, but still is not helping. Had been looking for work over three years with not luck, like Zaffar K. said, I think they are looking at the age factor not the experience I could bring with me, pity.
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Tiara M •great tips thank you ,very helpful.
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Jim p •yes you are screwed in the job market if you are past 40. No amount of education or experience will be considered relevant for any job. Only high ranking managers can transfer from field to field and be deemed capable. Mid level and front line managers skills are not deemed transferable to different fields. It is no contest.
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What should an applicant do if they have a notable number of defunct or extinct prior employers on a resume? Most of mine have gone out of business or been sold. In the last 12 years-I have only one previous employer that can still be contacted for a reference. (I have been at my current employer for 3.5 years- very pat-time.)
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zaffar k •I fully support Laszio B and Robert E by 100%. I am getting old to apply for various positions. I have been applying for over a decade to positions in composites manufacturing as an aerospace engineer but failed. One factor is age and other is probably the nationality. It appears, I will die like that. Anybody who could advise me how to overcome this will be welcomed. Regards. Zaff
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ESTHER F •Thanks for sharing this information, it is very helpful.
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Ricky C •What constitutes a stable work history-2,3,or 5+ yrs with a company? Especially in sales roles in early stage companies- might be challenging.
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Renae W •Good info!
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Larry L •While I have followed most of the recommendations listed, I am convinced that, once an employer sees one's age, you're doomed. I try to target my resume and cover-letter to the position I am applying for. I have mentioned awards I'd earned for improvements that affected all aspects of areas of usage. These were put into place and were effective. I also found that employers equate experience with wage expectations.. My work experience covers many arenas. I believe employers want experience but avoid compensating for it.. My generation has a prove record of loyalty and many of us are hoping to subsidize income. This also means the costs of hiring us are lessened, vacation, healthcare and all other perks. Over my lifetime, I have found that employers get what they pay for, low wages and disrespect for workers produces high turnover. The employer who treats his employees well can't get rid of them. Low operating costs, to a point, increases the costs of operation overall. I could never understand why employers turn a blind eye to this very simple concept.. Personally, I'm not aggressive in my job search because I believe the odds are against me. I also believe that by the time you finish researching the companies you want to apply to, you're too old to be considered anyhow.I think the comments posted by Laszio B and Robert E on Dec 14 hit the nail on the head.
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Deitric W •Good information but I think there should of been an attached resume example of the details describing whats stated above.
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WILLIE K •The information was very helpful, and I actually learned one thing I had not included in my Resume', so this is a plus.
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Joan D •helpful
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michelle m •excellent thank you for confirming the bullets
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