Finding the right job is like online dating
Nowadays job searching is like dating – - there are a lot of fish in the sea but finding that perfect match has become more complicated. Just as singles swipe through hundreds of prospective matches on Tinder, recruiters see hundreds of resumes a week. With a glance at a resume, a corporate recruiter can determine if the candidate is a fit or not. “It’s true, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. For recruiters and hiring managers the first impression of a candidate is that person’s resume, make it count,” said Mike ODonnell, Director of Recruiting at Rate, one of the largest residential mortgage brokerages in the country.
Adriana and I work on Mike’s team as recruiters. We’ve seen it all. Resumes that feature low GPA’s next to the year the candidate graduated from college (a No-No) to birth dates on resumes (another No-No). While some resume rules are walking a thin line between what’s acceptable and what isn’t, unless you’re in sales, there’s no need to include your profile picture on your resume. That said, we know many people are starting the new year with a new job search. We want to help. Here are our rules for helping job seekers navigate the hunt for the perfect corporate match.
Don’t
- Put your headshot on your resume, this is not casting call.
- Include every job you’ve ever held. One page is standard.
- Misspell words or fail to use proper English. Spell check is your friend.
- Include your GPA. If you weren’t Magna Cum Laude, it doesn’t matter.
- Write an autobiography. Less is more.
- Include your hobbies. This isn’t a dating app. Recruiters don’t care about your stamp collection.
- List your references on your resume until requested.
- Lie. Recruiters tend to fact check a resume that’s too good to be true.
- Burn bridges. So you didn’t get the one job you applied to. There may be others.
- Blunder the name of the company, or person at the company, you want to work for.
Do
- Know your resume, like you know yourself.
- Know which job you’re applying for before you hit send.
- Make sure you include your complete contact information including your phone number. We shouldn’t even have to say that.
- Use good old-fashioned snail mail and send thank you notes.
- When applying to jobs on job boards, make sure to attach your resume. This is not the time to be mysterious.
- Have multiple resumes and cover letters for the position you are applying for. Even though we don’t read cover letters, we like when they’re included!
- Use proper English. Save the emojis and acronyms for your friends.
- Do your research. Know the company and position you are applying to.
- Use a template. Again, this is your first impression.
- Spellcheck, proofread, have a friend review your resume before you submit it online because four eyes are better than two,