Introductions
You may have read in textbooks back in the early centuries that when you graduate from college, pick up the Yellow Page, and call an employer, “I would like to work for you.” Then, on the phone, an interview is arranged. Alternatively, you could walk in and discuss your capabilities, and suddenly, they will tell you to start work next Monday!
High unemployment arising from the global recession, technological growth, and globalization has suddenly erased the idea of simply picking up a phone and telling a prospective employer, “I love to work for your company; I want to interview with you,” as we may have read in recruiters’ articles in recent past.
As you are well aware, times have changed. Depending on the skill or field we have for every 1 vacancy, more than a thousand qualified applicants are waiting to apply.
The Great Challenge
The question now becomes survival of the fittest: How can I stand out among these contemporary candidates to secure an interview and showcase “your prowess”?
Well, the answer lies in an enchanted resume that will captivate the attention of the recruiters.
Many have misconstrued creating an attractive resume as meaning you need to sound incredible. To do this, inflate your resume with bogus and high-sounding grammar, abuse the “cut and paste” technology, and zoom your way to your next job offer.
Doing all of these with the hope that the recruiters and HR ‘never read the stuff,’ invite you for an interview, and offer you the job is not happening at all!
To debunk these claims, we went out of our way to speak with recruiters, headhunters, and Human Resource personnel on the one hand and successful candidates who have landed a better offer recently on the other.
Our data showed a noticeable trend, and seven items continued to stand out each time.
These seven items could be the criteria for screening prospective candidates who will be shortlisted for a potential job interview.
These are listed and discussed one after the other so you can take a second look at your resume.
#1 Relevant Academic Qualifications.
The recruiters said they are matching job opportunities with relevant academic qualifications.
They examine the position under consideration and the job applicant’s academic qualifications. However, this is just the beginning of the screening.
There are some with wrong academic qualifications but the right matching work experiences.
So, please take a look at the position for which you are willing to submit your resume. Is there any similarity or total disconnect? Seek a frank opinion if in doubt.
Conduct your research, and do not fly blind by assuming they will call you anyway.
#2 Relevant Certifications.
In view of the fact that employers do not show interest in offering professional training, they seem to delight in applicants who are “trained-ready”.
The question is, can you explore your field and learn about applicable certification(s) you can acquire now that you are free? I mean, you have some time to job hunt, so you could squeeze a relevant certification into your schedule. It will be a selling point in your interview.
See the trick I shared in this blog on this subject. That will hone your skills for a better opportunity.
Several online resources will guide you in the right direction.
At AIPLAfrica, we offer CompTIA: Project+ and PMP/CAPM certification on weekends to aspiring professionals; within a window of 8 weekends, you are closer to earning your PMP/CAPM certification.
#3 Relevant Experiences
Most recruiters said they often use experience ‘a lot’ to weed out and scare many applicants from applying.
They acknowledge the havoc caused by this repellent. However, it has also emboldened other applicants who are determined to be considered to proceed with submitting their cover letter and resume.
They suggested that applicants reflect relevant experiences and achievements in their resumes rather than highlight only roles and responsibilities.
They would like to know how what you did before now will help you succeed in the prospective job you are applying for.
They would like to know whether you are practical, always use your initiative effectively, and are conscious of growth and challenge.
These recruiters want to sniff these details before inviting you for an interview.
#4 Relevant Skills.
The recruiters complained that many applicants must thoroughly read and understand job adverts when applying.
This lapse becomes noticeable when the recruiters are screening the resume.
When looking for ‘interior designer skills,’ the applicants present ‘fine art skills.’ This is already a mismatch.
The recruiters affirmed that they match skills and qualifications with the job opportunity, not trying to do puzzles!
So, the recruiters’ recommendations are that when applying, try to understand the job advertisement, list these skills, and be honest in including all you can demonstrate as if you will be offered the job.
Some of these recruiters even suggested that skills should be listed on the resume because if they scan the resume for skill keywords relating to the field, the software application will not select such a resume, even though the experiences may match.
#5 Acquired Relevant Training.
In specific organizations, employers offer on-the-job training to their staff to enhance their efficiency and productivity.
The HR personnel we spoke with recommended that these training are assets to these employees and should be on their resumes.
The goal is to showcase to prospective employers that these applicants possess skills that will save them time and scarce resources in training. It could be short—or long-term training, as long as it is relevant to the position you are applying for. Do not hesitate to include it on your resume.
Others may be skeptical that because the skills certificate or diploma may have expired, it is optional to be on the resume.
These recruiters suggested that it does not matter; if you can explain and prove you have the diploma, it is part of the asset that might change the game for you. If the skill is relevant, please include it on your resume.
#6 Good Layout. Better Formatting.
One experienced HR professional sighed and related an experience of a professional who was qualified for a position, but she said that had it not been that she was looking through the resume during her lunchtime, she would have discarded such an applicant.
She complained that the applicant was qualified for the job, but the resume left much to be desired regarding layout, disjointed fonts, and poor arrangement of vital information.
Therefore, she recommended using attractive word processing templates and laying the contents in order.
The web is inundated with better suggestions and other captivating templates in this regard. Remember, first impressions matter; show your resume to a good friend who will tell you the truth nicely. If your friend has a problem understanding or appreciating the look and feel of your resume, the same will happen when the recruiter reviews it.
MS Word application offers various templates; you can download several beautiful templates from Microsoft Word that fits your skills and industry.
In other words, make your resume “legible” to read to recruiters. Please don’t assume or justify errors. Arrange everything appropriately so recruiters will not need to “buy” a microscope to search for information on your resume!
#7 Honesty is still the Best Policy.
All the recruiters and the HR personnel who spoke with me acknowledged this issue of honesty.
Since all the applicants desire to get the job, they employ different tactics to convince their prospective employer to prove they are the best. However, with advanced technology and cheaper communication, verifying information is available a few clicks away.
These recruiters recommended that applicants assume that all that is on their resumes will be investigated even after they have secured the opportunity. If anything is contrary to what is stated, well, we all know the consequences.
They want prospective employees to know that there is a process called a “background check.” This means everything relevant to your background will be searched; it is just like applying for security clearance.
They will validate your former place of employment and your academic qualifications; even if you are from a foreign country, it is one phone call or fax request away. They will contact your references and former employers.
You want to be a trusted employee, and that should commence before you walk in the door.
The resources interviewed related so many bad experiences, but I assure you will not repeat any of them because “a word is enough for the wise”!
Conclusion
If you are in the job market searching for an opportunity, please do not despair.
Keep a brighter hope. Be optimistic each day that you will secure a matching and better opportunity. It is just a minus one day from that happy day. Make sure you keep a smile on your face as you anticipate the arrival of that happy day.
Make the best use of your time each day and challenge yourself by thinking of becoming an entrepreneur in your field of interest; if eventually you are hired, you can operate it as a side gig.
You can use it as a selling point when you are interviewing. The income can also sustain you in your time of need.
These experiences can better serve you in your next opportunity. Don’t stand still; keep making progress. Do something productive each day.
You can even reach out to register for CompTIA: Project+ or CAPM/PMP with AIPLAfrica.
Please make sure your resume reflects these seven fascinating details. I have a strong feeling that the next call you will receive after reading this blog will be a quick phone interview for your next great opportunity.
I would like to share in your celebration afterwards; please keep me posted. Remember, I am praying for you as you read this blog!
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ACTION ITEMS
- Take time to prepare a clean and nice cover letter and resume for your job application.
- Make sure relevant academic qualifications and any relevant certification is present on your resume.
- Tailor your skills and experiences to the job you are applying.
- While still searching for work – learn a skill, trade, or get a certification.
- Make sure your resume is well formatted and clean uniform font.
- All your information must be verifiable, please don’t fudge stuff!
- Don’t give up in your search.
NEXT STEP
Unleash the full potential of your projects with AIPLAfrica’s expertise. Whether you need clarification, guidance on implementation, or support for enterprise-wide rollouts, our team is here to elevate your success. Don’t hesitate to reach out using the CONTACT US FORM – your journey to project mastery starts now!
