Why won't they read your resume?

Who are you trying to satisfy when you write your resume? It is hard for some people with the attitude to please everybody. Just like the story of the Dad, son and a donkey.

You are writing for a particular kind of reader: a potential employer. And if you're like most of us, you make some very, very optimistic assumptions about that reader. You are certain that your reader is eager to find the best person for the job. Your reader, you are sure, is going to read the important things in your resume, and that his or her eye will be drawn to all of those clever formatting tricks you've used (columns, underlining, different fonts, boldfacing, italics, strong verbs, skills, numbers, results, etc.). Resume patterns change as fast the job trends nowadays. And you just have to keep up.

Why won't they read your resume? Here's the most logical reasons:

1. Resume readers are some of the smartest and most skeptical readers in the world. They know that at least half of what they read consists of lies, exaggerations, half-truths, and semantic and formatting "tricks." They don't accept anything at face value. Remember, the typical resume reader sees literally thousands; they know every trick in the book by now.

2. Most readers are in a bad mood, not a happy mood of eager expectancy. They've got 300 resumes to read, and nobody is giving them an extra penny to carefully peruse each one. They are rushed for time, annoyed at having to read yet another resume, and hostile rather than sympathetic. Reading yet another resume is a burden that is keeping them from their attention to what they consider much, much more important matters.

3. Therefore, the typical resume reader is looking for a quick and convincing reason to throw out yours. Some will even discard it if they don't like the envelope or the way the email looks. Some will read only the resume and not the cover letter, or vice-versa. And they are unwilling to open up a zip file. You know how annoying it is to get an email that requires you to open up several files? For the resume reader, it is triply annoying.

4. They are unimpressed by the latest resume "fad." For a long time, it was (and to a great extent still is) 'verbs.' Since a verb is an action word, we think, the reader will be impressed by lots of great verbs. They're not. The latest craze is numbers. You've got to have lots of quantitative data in your resume, or no one will take you seriously. I see resumes now that are nothing but a bewildering array of numbers, and I do not believe it is any more impressive to the typical resume reader than is a bewildering array of verbs.

5. None will read in detail - that we all know. All will skim-read for about 20 seconds or less. They are looking for certain information FIRST, to see if the resume is worth reading in more detail. Usually they look for job titles and academic degrees first. Some look first for gaps in employment, some for certain skills, some for length of employment. Each reader has his or her own top priority to scan for first. And even if they read it in detail, they'll give it to 5 other people who will skim it.

6. Most readers know that their company is in no hurry to hire. Even if they are interested in you, they will take their time responding. They are not interested in calling you back right away, even if they like your resume.

7. They are not interested in your personal objectives for your life and your career. They are only interested in how you can help their company solve its problems and achieve its goals--that's why they hire. But they are totally unaware of your unique strengths and value that you can potentially bring to the organization. That's because in most resumes, the person's unique strengths and potential value are buried somewhere in the middle of the resume and not written for a skimmer/reader.

So, when you write your resume (or have anyone else help you write it), keep the above characteristics in mind. You have got to give your reader 1) what they are looking for FIRST, and 2) what you want them to find FIRST. That means that you cannot emphasize everything equally in your resume. You've got to write it so that they see their priorities and yours instantly. Make sure to keep that in mind, and you'll have a much better chance of having your resume taken seriously.

I'm damn tired!!

Today when I went in to my office, my boss was already in my face. Asked me about when I'm going for some site commissioning over in Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang.

I was lucky I had arranged my schedule complete with my team, contractors and vendors the day before. This trip was going to be something big, and definitely will mark an era in my life (for me, at least).

I consired this as pinching me since last time, there were rumours hovering through the office that there will be relocations of staffs and our big whole team was going to be affected. Come to think of it, relocation means moving out with your family and that is going to be much of a hassle. Since then we were really busy looking out for some other opportunities outside. Going for interviews was really an open secret and it just doesn't matter on what reason you are on leave, colleagues will say you are out for an interview.

This scene lasted up to 3 months and now the rumours had subdued. By then, then rumours had taken its toll. From a team of almost 60 persons, we were down to only 45 as many had already resigned from their post. Some of them got good bargains such as offered higher salaries, permanent position and benefits like hospitality that counts.

Oh yeah, we are on a contract basis currently.

Dressing for interviews

The basic rule or common sense is no longer common.

Nowadays we can see people going to interviews wearing jeans, t-shirts, round-necks and short skirts. The thing is that, you can proceed if the company you are going for the interview is absolutely okay and you have sensibly checked with their receptionist/human resource department.

In one of my many intervieweing sessions, I have met this one guy which is a fresh graduate. He walked into the room with confident and shook my hands. My first impression was okay until I noticed that he was wearing a round neck shirt and of course, with no tie attached.

I conducted the interview like any other and just before summing it all up, asked him about his shirt. He explained to me since he was a fresh graduate, he has no other shirt and he borrowed that one from his brother.

You see, in situations like these, you can jeorpadise your chances of being considered for the post EVEN if you dresses inappropriately. Potential jobseekers out there, dress right! It's your future!

My own experience...

I, myself have been in the working industry for almost 5 years. From there, there are really some experience which you treasure so much. I'm talking in terms of when your company gives you the power or authorisation to conduct interviews.

From my own experience, interviews is really something to be excited about, not something scary. Scary is like when you are trying to cross a highway and the cars are travelling at speeds of 100mph. THAT is scary. Again, interview is somethimg to be excited about. I consider that as one of your leg is already in the company, just awaiting invitation from the company, to join their reputable workforce.

When you are invited to an interview it means that the human resource manager believes you may be a good match for the job opening, and he wants to know for sure. The interview is used to determine whether you are qualified for the position.

A candidate who can answer questions in a way which is acceptable, but not necessarily right, to the interviewer, someone who knows something about their potential employers business and the post they hope to fill. These are really the basic components of any candidate who 'interviews well'. There are undoubtedly other aspects employers may look for in relation to specific posts - having their own ideas, thinking on their feet, aspects which will be related to the job and to the company's preference in employees.

Fresh Graduates Jobs

I have long wanted to blog and the opportunity comes as my mind wandered through my office's floor. There's not a single fresh graduates at ll in my office! Fresh graduates and their selling skills have long been questioned about, by the authority in our country. They have so far managed to complain about the job industry whereas these fresh-grads described as 'unforgiven'.

So here, I will use this blog as a medium to guide all blog-readers/fresh-graduates/job seekers or anyone related with my posts which they can use as a guide for themselves.

Well, keep on the lookout for my posts!!