Resume Evaluation

Jennifer it looks like your resume could use a little work.  The average score for all the evaluations we have conducted over the last 3 years is 71.  The fact is that over 95% of all resumes have serious flaws.  The good news is that most of these flaws can be corrected.

           To start with the format and the “look and feel’ can be improved upon.   The layout that you are using is very outdated and does not present your experience in the best light.  The top 1/4 of page one will always be seen first, so this is where you need to make it clear what you do and why it is important to the reader. You are not giving your reader any compelling reason to scroll further down the page to learn more about you. Recruiters receive hundreds of resumes per day and spend less than 10 seconds looking at a resume. It is imperative that your resume convey to the reader your specific expertise and level of experience in 5-10 seconds. In that same time frame, it must also be very obvious how you meet the requirements of the job.  This section should set the tone for the entire resume.

            We noticed two critical errors that may be preventing you from getting more interviews.  Your resume lacks a theme and you are revealing that you are currently unemployed.  We have helped thousands of job seekers remedy these situations.

• Theme Thematic and cohesive flow of a resume is the most critical factor for employment candidacy traction, and without it — no matter how good a job seeker is — (s)he will be disqualified! A resume, a marketing piece promoting a unique matrix of talents, must have continuity, tell a compelling, persuasive and interesting story, and it must sing — and sing the right tune. Most resumes are “contaminated” by career path aberrations — common issues that can be corrected. The theme can be complex and / or multidisciplined that is understandable, relatable and inviting. The career progression, coupled with an ‘interesting story with a plot’ — a unique combination of marketing and story-telling, catapults a resume above all others.

• Unemployed   In this employment climate, you’re not alone and it is nothing to be ashamed of. However, the appearance of being out of work serves as a weakness: “There must be something wrong with you.” And, of course, this is a false and common assumption. The popular approach of stating in a resume why you are not working puts you on the defense and apologizes for this dilemma. “The company downsized or relocated,” “cared for ailing parents,” “company went out of business,” or “recruited by another employer” will cast consternation. This, too, is a replacement weakness. Whether you have been out of work for a few days or more than a year, there are approaches that eliminate the unemployed appearance with no offsetting defect.

             When I say these things, please understand that I am are not criticizing your background, just how it’s presented. Addressing these issues will make your job search much easier. Ie would be happy to work with you to fix these issues.  It is very easy to get started, simply email me at info@careercopilot.com and we will go from there.