What ARE Recruiters Looking For?
Now that I have been back in the active-recruiter game, I’m noticing I am giving the same advice to many of my potential applicants. (As their recruiter, I am permitted to make requests and suggestions, but may not write their resume.) I would like to take a moment to list the most essential components to get the most hits from a resume.
My client company has hired me to be a “people-finder”. While I might have a cursory knowledge of the skills they desire which you have – I am not an expert in any of them. I’m not supposed to be. My job is to qualify (to the best of my ability) whether or not my CANDIDATE has them. The first thing I see is piece of paper and it needs to grab my attention really quickly. I am looking through at least 75 at a search. Not only is my time involved in resume searches, I also am working with active candidates, the client company, scheduling interviews, coaching, negotiating, etc. Time management is essential and the bottom line is:
IF YOU ARE QUALIFIED, I REALLY WANT TO FIND YOU. I WANT YOU TO BE A GREAT FIT.
I’m in your corner, so help me help you.
1. Objectives are rarely helpful. Please don’t include it unless you have a very clear comment to say. Most objectives can be rolled into the first bullet of the Summary of Skills/Qualifications. ie. Sr. Java Developer of 10 years. That's all you need (you could expand with other skills) but I would HOPE you want to grow and develop and help your employer do the same.
2. The Summary – This is THE MOST IMPORTANT first item. It needs:
a. A list of all of your hard, industry specific skills. If you are a nurse, tell me so and what kind immediately. I am currently tech recruiting, so I need a quick list of all the programs you know very well, moderately well, and have seen.
b. Please list how many years you have been working with each skill.
i. Phlebotomist 7yrs, X-ray tech 5yrs, etc.
ii. C# 2yrs, Java 10yrs, etc.
c. A list of any industry specific certifications, licenses, etc. When I see someone is certified in A+, I know they can do the hardware. Now, which softwares do they know?
3. Where were each of these skills used? Please tell me where you used them. Put them in the job descriptions. I need to know if you have used Java, but it was three years ago. When I call to find out how strong you are, I will ask about that before I submit you to the client company.
4. Bullets, please! Paragraphs are visually very confusing to look through.
I’m not writing this to say that recruiters are too busy or too lazy to give you the proper time. I’m just telling how it tends to be. I write this to give an inside look at the process so job hunters will have the best opportunities to be found. At the end of the day, I want you and the company to be good fits for each other. Yes, I do get commission on a good find, but that means it needs to be a quality agreement and relationship between all of us.
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