why your resume gets tossed
I recently came across one article on Yahoo.com describing the many reason why your resume gets tossed from the “might use” to the “never use” pile. There are some good tips in this article that touch on the following:
- If accomplishments can be quantified, do it — but use discretion
- If you send a cover letter by email that starts with ‘Hi,’ it and your resume will probably end up in the trash.
- It’s true that recruiters sometimes use scanners to sort through resumes looking for certain keywords.
- If you mention your age, we have to trash your resume.
- When recruiters see a resume that’s designed differently, they think the person’s trying to hide something.
The best advice I read was the following:
“It’s true that recruiters sometimes use scanners to sort through resumes looking for certain keywords. But resumes appear contrived when candidates consciously try to include them. Describing a business-development position using such terms as “needs assessment” and “contract analysis” in order to squeeze in more keywords is a misguided strategy. Assume that a human being — not a computer — will be reading the resume”
What do you think? Is there any strategies that have helped your resume make it to the top of a pile? If so share them with us….