Today I’m letting you in on the five key elements your resume needs – the pillars that will land you the recruiting calls and your next dream job!
But first, I’ll tell you a little secret: Executive recruiters initiallyskim resumes – we don’tread them in great deal the first time through.Why? A couple reasons.
First, wehave to skim – we get hundreds of resumes a day and it just wouldn’t be efficient to pour over every detail of a 300-deep stack.
Second, and more importantly, skimming is an efficient way to pull the top performers. We’re not being lazy, we’re gauging how eye-catching your resume is within 30 seconds or less.
Here are the five key resume elements every executive recruiter seeks…
1.Tenure.
Have you had 10 jobsin 10 years? That’s a BIG red flag to executive recruiters. At Talentfoot, our rule is no more than two jobsin four years.
Our hiring teams partner with us to find the best possible candidates, and a job hopper is rarely going to meet our standards. If you have a unique circumstance, be completely honest with your recruiter – we’ll always try to place great talent, and transparency helps.
2.Career trajectory.
Have you consistently been promoted throughout the years, or have you worked for three different companies at the same level over the course of 10-12 years?
Unfortunately, titles matter. Titles impact our first impression of you, especially when we’re sifting through hundreds of resumes.
After we review titles, we are looking to understand your responsibilities today and whether you have been gaining additional responsibility throughout your career. Have you progressed to oversee larger teams, more complex projects, and/or larger P&L’s? List the juicy stats to catch our eye – thinkIMPACT andGROWTH.
3.Impact.
Speaking of impact, recruiters are always looking for howYOU have specifically made an impact on the organization’s you have represented. Does your resume illustrate this? We’re looking for quantifiable accomplishments like financial growth, cost reduction, efficient restructuring, team building, and prestigious awards.
4.Your Employers.
What organizations have you chosen to work for? Are you irreplaceable in their eyes? Often times, recruiters are seeking individuals who have worked for several high-growth companies that have reached an even greater level of success during your time with the organization.
We need to determine if you were simply in the right place at the right timeor ifYOU played a critical role in the success of the organization.
5.Education Opens Doors.
Education matters. We look atundergraduateandadvanced degrees. Ivy League schools, high GPAs, double majors, awards, and continuing education.
Your education doesn’t mattermore than your ability to produce results for the companies you work for, but when we’re reading through a stack of resumes, education does matter. Make sure you list all education, including independent trainings and courses that are applicable to the job you’re pursuing.
In a time where resumes are often overcomplicated, over designed, and downright confusing at times, it’s important to focus on these five key elements when writing your resume. Make sure these elements stand out on your resume – we should be able to spot them in 30 seconds or less.
Are you happy with your resume, or could it use some work?
Whether you are thrilled with your current position or you’re currently looking for your next move, your resume should always be fresh and well-crafted as you never know what the future holds.
Post your #1 question about resumes below – we’d love to hear from you.
