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Finding Employment in Today’s Job Market: Getting Your Foot in the Door

Whether you’re unemployed, looking to switch careers, or have an unexpected employment opportunity pop up, the hardest part of the job search process may very well be creating your own resume. Knowing how to showcase your skills in the best possible light in the fastest, most effective way in order to grab a recruiter’s attention is the key to getting that first interview.  

Job Hunting in an Online World

Today, job seekers and recruiters alike look to online sources and social media for information on open positions and viable candidates. A resume builder can help you use the right format, keywords, and structure to get you noticed. 

In order to keep track of a large number of applicants, most companies have turned to automated software called applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems are designed to look for specific keywords and skills in a resume in order to identify viable candidates; in a way, they weed out candidates rather than search for the best one. Only 25% of resumes submitted online get passed on to a human recruiter for further evaluation.

To get past the ATS, a resume needs to be crafted to fit a specific job description and use the right keywords. Even then, your resume still faces challenges. Although it varies by the recruiter, your resume may have between six seconds to a few minutes to make an impression. That’s how long a recruiter will take to view your resume before deciding if it’s worth a longer look. The clearer, easier to read, and more to the point your resume is, the better your chances.

Concerns About the Industry

While online resume builders can be a useful tool, the industry in general suffers from a bad reputation. This comes mostly from billing practices that may not be clearly explained or understood or are, in some cases, misleading.

When using these sites, remember that most of them will offer a free option, but that free option may be limited in the number of resumes you can build or templates you can use, etc. In order to get more options, you may have to subscribe. In other cases, in order to use a free trial period you have to agree to pay a subscription fee which begins once the trial period is over. On some sites, this “agreement” comes in the form of a pre-checked box that gives the resume builder permission to charge you once your free trial period is over. This practice is something the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) frowns upon, by the way.

If you do choose to pay, before doing so look at the Terms and Conditions of the builder. We know: terms and conditions are tedious. Skip to the Payments or Subscriptions section and make sure you understand what the site will be charging you, for how long, and how you can cancel your service. Check the company’s refund policy - if they have one. If free trial periods are offered, be sure to cancel them within the specified time period (unless you actually want to continue the subscription). Some people we know put a Post-It note on their computer screens to remind them of the date of the end of the free trial. Otherwise, you will be charged the subscription fee on a recurring basis. Most important, keep documentation of every contact you have with Customer Service.

Lastly, beware of empty promises. The most a resume builder can do for you is increase the chance that your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of a human being. If a site offers a job guarantee, run away.

What Recruiters are Looking For

While ATS software is designed to weed out candidates, the human recruiter is looking for reasons to include a candidate.

Where most resume writers, who either use a resume builder or write one themselves, run into trouble isn’t necessarily the format or the font or the layout, but the content of the resume itself. The biggest mistake people make when creating their resume is simply listing their job duties rather than showing how they performed their duties in a way that benefited their employer. “Ninety-nine percent of resumes are simply a regurgitation of job duties. And that to a recruiter is worthless,” said Jim D’Amico, president of the Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals (ATAP). “Tell me why you do it, tell me how you do it. Don’t tell me what you do.”

Jim D’Amico has worked in recruiting and talent acquisition for the past 26 years. For the past 15 years he has worked as an internal recruiter for large companies, and is currently serving as President of the Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals. Photo provided by Jim D’Amico.

When writing a resume, be concise, clear, and make sure you highlight how you did your job in a way that was better or different than other candidates. You want to make sure you stand out for what you have accomplished. Make sure, however, that you stick to facts. Lies on a resume can lead you to be dropped from consideration.

If you have gaps in your job history don’t worry unduly. Job gaps aren’t necessarily viewed as negatives by recruiters nowadays, as long as you have an explanation and are able to show that during the gap you either learned new skills or kept up to date on new technology. Even gaps like taking two years off to travel can be translated into a positive if you can show you used or developed skills that are useful to the position being applied for.

Tailor your resume to the particular job you are applying to. A resume that is too general will get lost in the shuffle. Virginia Franco, president of the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA), mentions that you don’t want to be seen as a jack of all trades since you won’t be considered a good fit. “You want to be a specialist, not a generalist,” she advises.

Virginia Franco has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and a Masters Degree in Social Work. She has earned several certifications in resume writing and online professional networking. For the past four years she has served on the board of the National Resume Writers Association, and is currently serving as this organization’s President. Photo provided by Virginia Franco.

Other Resources

Online resume builders aren’t the only option you have when crafting a resume. Depending on what your ultimate career goals are, you may find some of these other resources for resume writing to be a better fit.

Professional Resume Writers

A professional resume writer is someone you hire to gather information from you, see what your employment goals are, and create a resume to fit your job target. Because these resumes are personalized, they’re expensive, but it is a one-time investment. Prices range from $150.00 per resume to $3,000.00 or more, depending on the type of resume/job you are applying for.

There are different ways the professional resume writer will gather your information. Some may conduct an in-person interview. Others may engage via e-mail or have you fill out questionnaires. A good writer will spend at least 30 minutes gathering information from you, and these initial consultations are usually free.  Once a price has been set, the writer may schedule more interviews to get more details from you and may present multiple versions of a resume before a final version is settled upon.

The NRWA, a non-profit organization that supports and certifies members of the industry, offers a directory of its members located throughout the country. The site allows you to search for three different levels of resume writers - professional resume writer, nationally certified resume writer, and nationally certified online profile expert. These professionals are listed by state as well as by expertise in writing resumes by industry.You can also locate local professional resume writers in your area via online searches.

Job Search Sites

Job boards are another source for great resume and career advice. Sites like Monster and Indeed not only provide a free job board but also resources such as resume and cover letter samples, interview advice, salary negotiation tips, and more. 

For a fee, Monster also provides professional resume writing services ranging in price from $129.00 to $349.00, depending on the type of job you’re targeting. These fees are per resume and are not recurring.

LinkedIn, although not a job board, has rapidly become one of the most used sites by recruiters looking for the best candidates. Having an updated profile on the site can not only help you connect with other professionals but also highlight achievements in your field that can be attractive to hiring agents. Passive candidates, or candidates who are employed and not necessarily looking for work, are regularly recruited by employers and their agents. Franco counsels people to always keep their LinkedIn profiles current. “Keep your options open, make sure your profiles look great online and make sure your resume is ready to go,” she says, “because they’re going to be coming for you even if you are employed.”

Senior citizens looking to get back into the job market have an extra resource.The  AARP offers informative articles and tips on job hunting plus a link to Top Resume. AARP members enjoy a 20% discount on Top Resumes’ resume writing plans (regular prices range from $139.00 to $319.00, depending on the plan).

Summary

Whether you use an online resume builder, decide to write your own, or hire a professional resume writer, know that in the end the amount of effort you put into the task directly correlates to the quality of the finished product. Remember you are trying to stand out among a crowd of applicants with a similar background. As D’Amico says, tell the recruiter how you made or saved your employer money, “then tell them how you did it better than others.”