Over 2 decades as an executive recruiter, recruitment consultant, and resume writer to the 1%, I’ve specialized in coaching top professionals in uncovering their true value proposition, how to create a laser-focused applications for a specific roles, and how to address the needs of the target organization.
If you’re here looking for an answer to this question in particular, the very first thing you should do is sign-up for my FREE eBook “Career Survival Strategies for the 99%”. Did I mention it’s FREE?
In there I cover many topics over 90+ pages and I think you’ll like it. In fact, I know you’ll get something out of it, so go ahead and get your copy.
Now, on to the question at hand.
As a recruiter, I’ve assessed thousands of applications. The number one reason for instant failure is failing to actually address the needs of the role and show the hiring team why they should bother meeting you.
When I was recruiting, I knew the profile of individual I was looking for. I was intimately familiar with the job description for the role, and when looking at a resume, I could tell inside 10 seconds if you were someone who could extend my interest or have your document shredded at that point in time.
10 seconds. If you don’t show me inside 10 seconds that you have the profile, technical skills, or related impressive track record of success, then you’re out.
Sounds brutal, doesn’t it? It’s just the way it works in that game.
The vast majority of people don’t know how to target their resumes to a particular role.
They don’t know how to position content in their document for maximum impact.
They don’t know how to actually identify, uncover, and write hard-hitting, high-impact branded profiles, accomplishments, and employer entry bullet points that convey the KEY MESSAGES the target employer wants to see.
In my online course, Resumes for the 99%, I set out the very methods I use to uncover essential content from my clients, the way I write and structure that content, and the resume template styles I use to make sure the most important content is positioned front and centre where it can actually make a difference while ensuring readability and accessibility.