Identifying the Best Candidates – What I Look for in a Resume
The information I need: It should go without saying that a resume must include the basics: Where you worked, when you worked there, your title, what you were responsible for. Also, your address, phone number and email address. Resumes of the best candidates have all the information I need.
The core skills are identified:
You probably do many things and have many skills. But I want to know what you really excel
at. You may also have expertise in areas
that are not primary to your job but they’re valued and important so make sure
to note them. It’s important know your
innate talents as well as your skills.
But if all your skills are
prefaced with laudatory adjectives, it’s the same as none. Amazing, but many resumes do this. I want to know the key skills that your team
can’t do without.
Clear and simple
explanations: As a professional communicator it should be a piece of cake
for you to explain what you do so I understand.
Please don’t assume I know the acronyms for the different sectors of
your company, or that one employer listed is the parent of another employer. You can’t say everything…so keep it
simple. You can always follow up with
details or additional information (relevant of course) – in fact I can’t think
of a better way to keep the conversation going.
I always get a little thrill when I’m interviewing someone, and I ask questions
about simple things on the resume only to learn that it’s the tip of the
iceberg in terms of the person’s knowledge and passion. This is probably the biggest indicator to me
that I’m talking to someone very special.
It’s much better than trying to go into it on the resume. In fact, the best candidates are successful
in their current role and don’t have the time to explain every detail.
A progression that is
upward and sensible: Titles mean different things at different companies,
so I’m not terribly concerned with that.
But I need to see that you’re taking more responsibility or that the
scope of your work has changed or increased.
If a move doesn’t make sense (less impressive company, lower title, less
responsibility, off track, etc.) then the best candidates will use the cover letter
to explain it. Then, you become in my
eyes a great find…because I have the key that unlocks the answer to why you’re
the best catch for my client – a diamond in the rough or a hidden gem -someone
great who’s not spoiled or over confident.
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