Know what recruiters want when applying for jobs
By Stephanie Brown
When it comes to resumes, one size does not fit all!
I know, looking for your next career opportunity is time consuming and exhausting and chances are you have already put hours into forming the “perfect” resume, and now you are being told you should customize it for each job you apply for.
Unfortunately, this is a necessary evil. Most employers have painstakingly written their job descriptions (just as you, have pained over your resume), to reflect the exact skills and requirements they want and if you don’t have them, or you do not include those key words, that can be a deal breaker for you. A resume is often the first opportunity recruiters and human resource personnel have to begin selecting candidates for their jobs.
But luckily, technology can save the day. Check out a website called jobscan.co (that’s right, .co not .com). This site allows you to compare your resume against job descriptions of interest to you and tells you how your resume does – or does not – match those descriptions. It also looks at the key words you use vs. the key words in your favored job descriptions to see if they complement each other.
In short, when submitting your resume, think like a recruiter, utilize the key words they are looking for by tailoring your resume toward the job you are applying for. Happy resume-tailoring!
For more information about resume writing and our many other free career services, visit our website at careersourcebrevard.com.
Stephanie Brown is a professional recruiter at CareerSource Brevard, a regional public/private partnership and part of a statewide network of 24 regions, known as CareerSource Florida. For more information go to www.careersourcebrevard.com.