Are You Hurting Your Chances of Being Reviewed by Hiring Managers?
You’re sending out tons of resumes and getting no responses. The reason could be simple: you're focusing on your own needs instead of the company's requirements. How to resolve this?
When crafting your resume summary and LinkedIn profile, it's crucial to avoid focusing solely on yourself—what you want, need, and are looking for. While it’s natural to think about your career goals, putting too much emphasis on your desires can be a major turn-off for hiring managers.
Let's be honest. Companies aren't interested in fulfilling your personal goals or becoming your friend. The truth is, the only reason they are posting a job is because they have a problem and need someone to solve it.
Be the Solution!
Instead of discussing your wants, shift the focus to what you can solve for the company. Employers are looking for candidates who can address their specific needs and challenges. For example, if a company is struggling with project management inefficiencies, and you have a track record of implementing systems that streamline workflows, highlight that in your profile.
Here's a more targeted approach:
Identify the Company’s Pain Points: Research the company and the industry to understand their challenges. This can involve reading their job postings carefully, checking their recent news, or understanding common issues in their field.
Tailor Your Message: Customize your resume and LinkedIn profile to speak directly to these pain points. Use specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your ability to solve similar problems.
Highlight Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities: Instead of listing your job responsibilities, focus on your accomplishments. Use metrics to show the impact of your work. For example, "Reduced project delivery time by 20% by implementing a new project management tool."
Showcase Relevant Skills: Ensure your key skills align with the job requirements. If the job calls for expertise in certain software or methodologies, make sure that is prominently featured in your profile.
Use Keywords: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume and LinkedIn profile to pass through these filters.
Selling Yourself Effectively
Remember, you are essentially selling yourself to a potential employer. Think of your resume and LinkedIn profile as marketing tools. You need to convince the employer that you are the best solution to their problem. Here are a few strategies to enhance your appeal:
Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Clearly state what sets you apart from other candidates. What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the table? For example, "Expert in cross-functional team leadership with a proven ability to reduce operational costs."
Professional Summary: Craft a compelling professional summary at the top of your resume. This should be a concise statement that encapsulates your skills, experience, and the value you bring. For example, "Seasoned IT project manager with 10 years of experience in leading successful software implementations and reducing project delivery times by 20%."
Storytelling: Use a narrative approach to make your experience more engaging. Instead of simply listing jobs, explain how you progressed in your career, what challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.
Recommendations and Endorsements: On LinkedIn, recommendations from colleagues and supervisors can add credibility to your profile. Endorsements for your skills can also boost your profile’s visibility and attractiveness.
Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Highlight any ongoing education or certifications that keep your skills relevant. Employers value candidates who are committed to continuous improvement and adaptability in a rapidly changing job market.
By emphasizing how you can be the solution to the company's problems, you'll significantly improve your chances of catching the attention of hiring managers.
If you found this information useful; find more tips to improve your LinkedIn and Resume presentation HERE
If you need help with this, contact us to schedule a time for a resume and LinkedIn review session.
