How to Fine-Tune Your Résumé

(from wsj.com)

It’s one of the first things people think to do after losing a job: quickly get a résumé into as many hands as possible. But career experts say doing so without a strategic plan is a mistake becauses it wastes time and energy and typically results in few callbacks. Here’s how to fine-tune your résumé:

Make a wish list. Take the time to identify the companies you want to work for before you sit down to write your résumé. This can help you make key adjustments to the document. For example, knowing a company you are applying to is in the midst of making acquisitions can help you structure your résumé to highlight relevant work experience.

Use keywords. Recruiters often rely on keyword-search technology to sift through resumes. When responding to job ads, be sure to include the same language they contain in your résumé. For example, if you’re answering an ad for an arbitrator position make sure your document describes you as such and not a mediator, even though both terms refer to the same job.

Tell your story. Once you’re ready to send out the résumé, make sure it’s doing the job of showcasing your skills and accomplishments. First, for each job you list, spell out the details of a work-related situation, any obstacles you encountered, the actions you took to resolve the issue, and the results that followed. Next, write out the complete story and then whittle it down to a series of concise descriptive bullet points.

Find an insider. Develop a networking list of friends, former colleagues, and acquaintances who might know people at your target companies. Then ask them to help ensure your résumé gets into the right person’s hands.

Try a personal touch. Writing a tailored cover letter to accompany your résumé is one way to grab the attention of hiring managers. In it, demonstrate that you have researched the firm, for example, by mentioning its last quarterly report or a recent speech made by the CEO. Your ultimate goal is to stand out from the competition by showing you’re knowledgeable and interested in the particular organization you’ve targeted.

Re-evaluate after a lull. If you’ve been sending your résumé out for a month or more with no response, ask yourself a few questions. Have you developed a plan that outlines the job functions and industries that most interest you? Is your résumé lacking keywords or are your bullet points not playing to your strengths or the copmany’s needs? Does your cover letter provide details that make you stand out from other applicants?