As far as you know, some companies are using some screen software to analyze the resume. Bet the robots are not always easy, and after reading a lot of info about this topic, I've obtained the following list:
- Use keywords, that's not difficult. Each sector or profession have their own keywords and is not difficult to use it.
- Don't use fancy format, logos, tables. As I'm not a web designer or a very artistic girl, that was easy.
- Use bullets to explain your experience. OK, this is something cultural, we should adapt the resume to the country that we are applying. Take care with this one.
- The position of the dates. I'm struggling with this one, some articles said before of the company and title, other said before...any tip?
Is your company using this kind of screening programs? Some tips for all us that are looking for a job and want to beat the robots. Saving Changes...
Ed Tsyitee JrConsultant | Consultant Tucson, Az, United States
One- don't use keywords from the job description (JD) if it looks like a template. You don't know how current that JD is, when the company last audited it, etc. So, it's better to use industry or profession specific keywords.
If the JD is current, use those keywords plus profession specific keywords. For example-a JD is for for an IT manager, but doesn't list any certification or certificate requirements, and you are, you would list those under your professional summary in bullet point form. Always use your certification number as well, since many people self report and aren't certified.
Bullet points are 3 in number and no less and no more. 3 shall be the number, not 2, not 1, but 3. They can be used under the professional summary.
Resume formats are confusing. If you can't read your resume then neither can they. So, a standard format to follow for private sector is Title, Company, Location, and then work dates.
So-Project Coordinator The Widget Company, Widgetville USA March 2006-March 2013
If it's a federal/state/municipal/ resume, the format request will be the same BUT after the dates the supervisor's name and phone number, hours worked, starting and ending salary will be included.
Remember, the ATS (applicant tracking system) looks for years of experience, so it's important for the dates to be visible immediately.
Be sure to have a results based work description. Don't describe the role, describe what you did and how you improved the job. That is, if the manager shares that info with you.
For example, under the project coordinator example I could list something like this-
Coordinated and Managed material resources for a multi-million dollar project, reducing costs by 5%
Finally, network network network. LinkedIn has it's pluses and minuses, but if you are connected with some one who works for the company you are applying to, and have a good relationship with them, you can reach out and ask about the position, who to address the cover to letter if required, and so on. This might increase your chances of a person seeing the resume and not the bot.
The ATS is not your friend and never will be.
I hope this helps.
Side-if you don't have experience in project management and are looking to change careers like I am, the process becomes increasingly impossible.
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4 replies by Anupam , Demetrius Williams, Mayte Mata Sivera, and Rami Kaibni
Mar 17, 2017 3:45 PM
Mayte Mata Sivera
...
Great tips! Ed. Thank you
Mar 17, 2017 4:35 PM
Rami Kaibni
...
Great Points Ed - I totally agree with you that ATS is not your friend and never will be.
One- don't use keywords from the job description (JD) if it looks like a template. You don't know how current that JD is, when the company last audited it, etc. So, it's better to use industry or profession specific keywords.
If the JD is current, use those keywords plus profession specific keywords. For example-a JD is for for an IT manager, but doesn't list any certification or certificate requirements, and you are, you would list those under your professional summary in bullet point form. Always use your certification number as well, since many people self report and aren't certified.
Bullet points are 3 in number and no less and no more. 3 shall be the number, not 2, not 1, but 3. They can be used under the professional summary.
Resume formats are confusing. If you can't read your resume then neither can they. So, a standard format to follow for private sector is Title, Company, Location, and then work dates.
So-Project Coordinator The Widget Company, Widgetville USA March 2006-March 2013
If it's a federal/state/municipal/ resume, the format request will be the same BUT after the dates the supervisor's name and phone number, hours worked, starting and ending salary will be included.
Remember, the ATS (applicant tracking system) looks for years of experience, so it's important for the dates to be visible immediately.
Be sure to have a results based work description. Don't describe the role, describe what you did and how you improved the job. That is, if the manager shares that info with you.
For example, under the project coordinator example I could list something like this-
Coordinated and Managed material resources for a multi-million dollar project, reducing costs by 5%
Finally, network network network. LinkedIn has it's pluses and minuses, but if you are connected with some one who works for the company you are applying to, and have a good relationship with them, you can reach out and ask about the position, who to address the cover to letter if required, and so on. This might increase your chances of a person seeing the resume and not the bot.
The ATS is not your friend and never will be.
I hope this helps.
Side-if you don't have experience in project management and are looking to change careers like I am, the process becomes increasingly impossible.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Mar 17, 2017 3:38 PM
Replying to Ed Tsyitee Jr
...
One- don't use keywords from the job description (JD) if it looks like a template. You don't know how current that JD is, when the company last audited it, etc. So, it's better to use industry or profession specific keywords.
If the JD is current, use those keywords plus profession specific keywords. For example-a JD is for for an IT manager, but doesn't list any certification or certificate requirements, and you are, you would list those under your professional summary in bullet point form. Always use your certification number as well, since many people self report and aren't certified.
Bullet points are 3 in number and no less and no more. 3 shall be the number, not 2, not 1, but 3. They can be used under the professional summary.
Resume formats are confusing. If you can't read your resume then neither can they. So, a standard format to follow for private sector is Title, Company, Location, and then work dates.
So-Project Coordinator The Widget Company, Widgetville USA March 2006-March 2013
If it's a federal/state/municipal/ resume, the format request will be the same BUT after the dates the supervisor's name and phone number, hours worked, starting and ending salary will be included.
Remember, the ATS (applicant tracking system) looks for years of experience, so it's important for the dates to be visible immediately.
Be sure to have a results based work description. Don't describe the role, describe what you did and how you improved the job. That is, if the manager shares that info with you.
For example, under the project coordinator example I could list something like this-
Coordinated and Managed material resources for a multi-million dollar project, reducing costs by 5%
Finally, network network network. LinkedIn has it's pluses and minuses, but if you are connected with some one who works for the company you are applying to, and have a good relationship with them, you can reach out and ask about the position, who to address the cover to letter if required, and so on. This might increase your chances of a person seeing the resume and not the bot.
The ATS is not your friend and never will be.
I hope this helps.
Side-if you don't have experience in project management and are looking to change careers like I am, the process becomes increasingly impossible.
Great Points Ed - I totally agree with you that ATS is not your friend and never will be. Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
I think networking is the best way to make sure a person sees your resume. I've gotten the vast majority of my jobs that way, rather than by applying to a posted online position. I always try both methods, and sending in applications for jobs rarely seems to work for me.
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1 reply by Mayte Mata Sivera
Mar 20, 2017 1:23 PM
Mayte Mata Sivera
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True, the last projects that I led were due to network connections.
But being new in a country/state, sometimes networking isn't easy because people approached me to sell products and services.
I remember years ago a comment in an interview. They had a few hundred applicants, so they search fro criteria that would reduce the number to a reasonable number to manually do the screening. The criteria was "PMP". They had less then 50 CV to evaluate.
One- don't use keywords from the job description (JD) if it looks like a template. You don't know how current that JD is, when the company last audited it, etc. So, it's better to use industry or profession specific keywords.
If the JD is current, use those keywords plus profession specific keywords. For example-a JD is for for an IT manager, but doesn't list any certification or certificate requirements, and you are, you would list those under your professional summary in bullet point form. Always use your certification number as well, since many people self report and aren't certified.
Bullet points are 3 in number and no less and no more. 3 shall be the number, not 2, not 1, but 3. They can be used under the professional summary.
Resume formats are confusing. If you can't read your resume then neither can they. So, a standard format to follow for private sector is Title, Company, Location, and then work dates.
So-Project Coordinator The Widget Company, Widgetville USA March 2006-March 2013
If it's a federal/state/municipal/ resume, the format request will be the same BUT after the dates the supervisor's name and phone number, hours worked, starting and ending salary will be included.
Remember, the ATS (applicant tracking system) looks for years of experience, so it's important for the dates to be visible immediately.
Be sure to have a results based work description. Don't describe the role, describe what you did and how you improved the job. That is, if the manager shares that info with you.
For example, under the project coordinator example I could list something like this-
Coordinated and Managed material resources for a multi-million dollar project, reducing costs by 5%
Finally, network network network. LinkedIn has it's pluses and minuses, but if you are connected with some one who works for the company you are applying to, and have a good relationship with them, you can reach out and ask about the position, who to address the cover to letter if required, and so on. This might increase your chances of a person seeing the resume and not the bot.
The ATS is not your friend and never will be.
I hope this helps.
Side-if you don't have experience in project management and are looking to change careers like I am, the process becomes increasingly impossible.
One- don't use keywords from the job description (JD) if it looks like a template. You don't know how current that JD is, when the company last audited it, etc. So, it's better to use industry or profession specific keywords.
If the JD is current, use those keywords plus profession specific keywords. For example-a JD is for for an IT manager, but doesn't list any certification or certificate requirements, and you are, you would list those under your professional summary in bullet point form. Always use your certification number as well, since many people self report and aren't certified.
Bullet points are 3 in number and no less and no more. 3 shall be the number, not 2, not 1, but 3. They can be used under the professional summary.
Resume formats are confusing. If you can't read your resume then neither can they. So, a standard format to follow for private sector is Title, Company, Location, and then work dates.
So-Project Coordinator The Widget Company, Widgetville USA March 2006-March 2013
If it's a federal/state/municipal/ resume, the format request will be the same BUT after the dates the supervisor's name and phone number, hours worked, starting and ending salary will be included.
Remember, the ATS (applicant tracking system) looks for years of experience, so it's important for the dates to be visible immediately.
Be sure to have a results based work description. Don't describe the role, describe what you did and how you improved the job. That is, if the manager shares that info with you.
For example, under the project coordinator example I could list something like this-
Coordinated and Managed material resources for a multi-million dollar project, reducing costs by 5%
Finally, network network network. LinkedIn has it's pluses and minuses, but if you are connected with some one who works for the company you are applying to, and have a good relationship with them, you can reach out and ask about the position, who to address the cover to letter if required, and so on. This might increase your chances of a person seeing the resume and not the bot.
The ATS is not your friend and never will be.
I hope this helps.
Side-if you don't have experience in project management and are looking to change careers like I am, the process becomes increasingly impossible.
Great points listed here Ed. Thank you. Saving Changes...
I think networking is the best way to make sure a person sees your resume. I've gotten the vast majority of my jobs that way, rather than by applying to a posted online position. I always try both methods, and sending in applications for jobs rarely seems to work for me.
True, the last projects that I led were due to network connections.
But being new in a country/state, sometimes networking isn't easy because people approached me to sell products and services. Saving Changes...
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