Make me care.

Wanna know why you might not be getting called for interviews?

You are not making me care.

Me. A recruiter. One of those gatekeepers who wants, no NEEDS, to find talented professionals so that my entire family can eat and wear clothes and run around town with gas in our car and such.

When your resume reads like a job description, as in a running list of your duties and responsibilities?

It's very hard for me to care.

It's far and away the most common mistake I see on resumes. Many job seekers focus so hard on listing out all of the duties and responsibilities they've ever held, that they fall (significantly) short on helping potential employers understand what makes them a standout.

When crafting a resume, do yourself a huge, huge favor and answer these three questions before you scratch out even one bullet point:

1. What am I most proud of? Where have I really killed it, and what am I awesome at?
2. What would my supervisors/colleagues/employees say are my crowning accomplishments and/or best assets?
3. If Jenny Foss were to go ask my co-workers, "Hey, what's the best part about working with Susie?" What would they say?

(ok, that's actually five questions)

And then build this information into those tidy little bullet points on your resume.

I need to know your skills line up, of course. But most of the resumes in my pile are going to be people who COULD do that particular job.

If you're the one in that pile who makes me care?

I call you first.

Comments

[Hayley]

This is great. But here’s my problem. I’ve had more than one interviewer ask me, presumably because I went to a fancy school and got a high GPA, whether they’re sure I’ll be “stimulated” by the administrative jobs I’m applying for. Yes, a paycheck would be very stimulating. This perception that because I went to a nice school means I’m some kind of brainiac who scoffs at menial work is such a joke. Reality: I worked really hard to get there. I’m a hard worker first. I’m not even close to being an intellectual or whatever. Meanwhile, someone hiring for a position for which my education would be a plus is looking for someone with more professional experience. Sorry, didn’t get the memo, I thought college was supposed to be that experience. Is there no such thing as a professional, entry-level job? Any thoughts? I feel as though I am lost in in-between-land. I’m not qualified enough for “professional” or management roles, but there seems to be a fear that I’ll be bored at a more entry-level administrative role. I should also say that I've been on fifteen interviews and counting.

[Jenny]

Interesting predicament, Hayley. And you're right - if you have a degree (especially one with pedigree), the hiring manager may assume you're just looking to get your foot into the company, and plan to bail out of that role just as soon as something better/bigger comes along.

Your best defense is usually a good offense -- make your passion for administrative leadership (assuming you're looking at admin jobs) and office management clear right in your Executive Summary (or whatever you call the area in which you showcase your value proposition.)

Anticipate and strategize accordingly. And definitely send me a direct note if you want to talk more on this topic!