Resumes

Do I Really Need A New Resume?

by
Man looking at computer working on his resume.

I haven’t met anyone yet who thinks writing resumes is fun…except for professional resume writers. If you are staring at your own resume and deciding what to do, here are some thoughts to help you determine if you really should start over.

How long ago was your resume created or updated?

  • If your resume was created within 12 to 18 months, and you’re seeking a similar role to your current position, the answer is easy: Update your existing document. If the resume was created 18 months to 3 years ago, and you’re seeking a similar role, the right answer is probably to update the existing resume.
  • The more difficult choice is if the resume was created between 3-5 years ago. In that case, review the resume format. If the structure is still modern in appearance, and adding the new information doesn’t substantially affect the format, a refresh is most likely the right choice.
  • If the resume was created more than 5 years ago, 99 times out of 100, the right answer is to start over.

Are you seeking a new role in the same profession/career field, or are you changing professions?

  • If you are pursuing a new role in a different field, whether to refresh or do over depends on if the industry you are targeting has different standards for resumes than your current industry. Moving from the federal to the private sector or vice versa would qualify as a do-over.
  • If you are changing careers entirely, you will want to start fresh. You can’t use the same resume for substantially different positions. If you’re a teacher and want to pursue a role in outside sales, your education-focused resume won’t work. If you’re a former trial lawyer who is seeking a role in nonprofit administration, you’ll want a new format that showcases your transferable skills.

Is there an “Objective” statement at the top of your resume?

  • If the answer is yes, you need an overhaul. Even removing the objective statement probably won’t be enough to meet the standards of a modern resume, since the content in the top 1/3 of the resume is so critical. (It needs to be replaced with branding statements and content that showcases your qualifications.)

Has your existing resume gotten too long?

  • Federal resumes typically run 4-6 pages (the longest I’ve ever seen was 67 pages and included footnotes!!); a private sector one should not typically exceed 2 pages. If your resume includes 25 years of work experience in excruciating detail, it may be time to start completely from scratch. The reason is: If you’ve just constantly added new positions without thinking through the strategy of what you’re including on your resume, it may be best to start over.

If you need assistance with your resume you can check out our Resume Writing Services or Contact Us for help! There are also many videos about resume writing on our YouTube channel like ‘Essential Tips for Writing Your Federal Resume‘.

Are You Part of the 92%?

by
Hand with pen filling out a blank job application form.

Appcast, a leading provider of recruitment data, reports that 92% of people who click “apply” on a corporate website do not complete their job application. I haven’t been able to find the abandon rate for USAJOBS but I’m sure it’s high since I constantly hear how complicated USAJOBS can be. From an organization perspective, high abandonment of applications started but not completed means fewer candidates than anticipated. From an applicant’s perspective, it could be good news.

How can you position yourself to be one of the 8%?

  • Don’t wait for the last minute. If you know you have an interest in a particular organization or company, see if you can sign up for an account ahead of time. Create your user name and password, and if possible, fill out any generic information and upload any documents such as transcripts, etc., that might be needed.
  • Have your resume ready. Some organization’s Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) requires that you use their builder; others allow you to upload your resume. Either way, you should have your basic resume ready in advance. That resume should be in Word (not a PDF or drive) so that you can copy and paste relevant parts of your resume into their builder if required, or do a simple upload. Of course, you should tweak your resume for the specific posting but your baseline resume should be ready to go.
  • Give yourself time. Although applying for corporate jobs through an in-house ATS takes an average of 5 minutes, according to InFlight, a user experience provider; applying through USAJOBS can take an hour—and if there is additional testing required, even longer. Many more organizations are using 2-factor identification to log into their systems so be prepared with all necessary information before you sign in.
  • Get the phone number of the help desk. Sometimes these application systems are not as intuitive as their creators had hoped. If you can identify the specific ATS being used (sometimes the name is available on the login page; common ATS include Oracle Taleo, IBM Kenexa, Jobvite, SmartRecruiters, iCIMS—this is not an inclusive list), go onto their website and see if you can find a phone number or other assistance. USAJOBS has its own Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/ with a lot of information for jobseekers.
  • Find an insider if you can. Use your network to see if you know someone who works where you are applying—or know someone who knows someone. Make contact; let them know you’re applying.
  • Remain patient and positive. The hiring process takes time; the higher your target job, the longer your search is likely to take. Don’t put all of your hopes on one job; keep searching and applying—and you’ll be able to take that next step in your career!

Thinking About Personal Pronouns on Your Resume and/or LinkedIn Profile?

by

You may have noticed pronouns (he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, ze/hir/zir) being included on social media profiles, email signatures, and in the job search process in general. Including pronouns can prevent accidental misgendering, helping you avoid having to correct a hiring manager or recruiter using incorrect pronouns. It could also help you identify an inclusive workplace. There is no one blanket rule/policy that can apply to all, and your decision to include your pronouns is a very personal one.

There are a few ways that you can clarify your pronouns within a job application process. If you want to include on your resume, you can simply add your pronouns under your name in the header (before your contact information). Another perhaps less obvious way to include your pronouns is in your cover letter, beneath your signature at the bottom of the page. You can add your pronouns in parentheses next to your name, or you can add an additional line under your name/title.  Sometimes, job applications will ask you to identify your salutation of Mr./Ms./Dr./other.

If you do want to include your pronouns on your career documents, there are a couple of ways to do so.

  • On the resume, add your pronouns in parentheses next to your name, or under your name. You can also choose to put your pronouns in a different color text to make them stand out.
  • On your cover letter, you can include your preferred pronouns under your signature at the bottom of the page. Or you could add them in parentheses next to — or underneath — your name at the top of the cover letter.
  • When sending an email to a hiring manager or recruiter, you can include your pronouns in your email signature.
  • On job applications, there may be a place to select your gender and/or pronouns. If you identify as nonbinary or transgender, you can leave that question blank if there is not a suitable choice.
  • On LinkedIn, you can add your pronouns to the “Last Name” field (so they appear after your name), or LinkedIn has now added a “Pronouns” drop-down to select your pronouns (or input custom pronouns).

While there can be many benefits to including your pronouns, the unfortunate truth is that there is still hiring discrimination in some quarters, so delineating your pronouns on your documents is ultimately your choice. You may have other opportunities, during the interview or after hiring, to share your preferred pronouns.

3 Approaches to Customizing Your Resume

by

There is no such thing as a generic resume anymore. You should customize your resume every time you apply for a job. Here are 3 different approaches to fitting your resume to the job.

Remember: Before customizing your resume, do a “save as” of the document to preserve the original file. Re-name the file with your first name, last name, and desired job title (for example: JaneJobseekerBudgetAnalystResume.doc)

Links from Table:

How to Say It: Job Search Scripts

by

Many of us know that it’s a good idea to reach out to hiring managers but aren’t sure how. Here are the basics, including a script you can use to follow up after sending a resume or completing an interview.

  • To prepare for a call to follow up after sending a resume, know the name of the person you’re calling (and how to pronounce their name). Or, if you only know the title of the person responsible for hiring, call the company’s general number and get the name (and pronunciation). PRO TIP: LinkedIn has a feature for individuals to record their names and include it on their profiles. Check to see if the individual has done that.
  • Research LinkedIn and other sites to determine if you have a connection with the person you’re contacting. If you were referred to the organization by a mutual contact, mention the person you were referred by.
  • Follow up after an interview if you haven’t heard back from the interviewer. Consider an email as your first follow-up unless the hiring manager gave you permission at the end of the interview to call OR if it’s been more than a week for private sectors jobs and two weeks for federal jobs, and you haven’t heard back.
  • If you do get in contact with the hiring manager but a decision still has not been made, ask when would be a good time to check back. PRO TIP: mark the follow up date on your calendar so you don’t forget!
  • Ask for an informational interview with someone who can help give you information about a target employer or help you network to a job.

Here is a sample script you can adapt to your circumstances:

Make the Call:

Hi! My name is (your name).

[If you have a mutual connection or were referred to the position by someone specific, mention it. For example: “Jane Jones suggested that I speak with you.” People are more likely to take the time to talk to you if you mention a mutual friend or acquaintance, so always mention the common connection.]

Do you have a minute?

[If no: “When would be a good time for me to call back?”]

I submitted (my resume/an application) for the position of (name of job) on (date).

(Provide a one- or two-sentence summary of your qualifications and what you can offer to the company in this role.)

I wanted to make sure you had everything you need from me to consider me as a candidate for this position. And I wanted to ask if you have a date when you expect to start interviewing for this role.

[If yes: Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you today.]

[If no: Is it okay if I check back with you in a (timeframe – for example, a week)?”

10 Steps to a Successful Job Search

by

Looking for a new job? If so, there are a number of things you should do before you submit your resume.

  1. Conduct informational interviews to learn about different jobs and organizations, and figure out what you want to do.
  2. Research organizations to identify those in your sweet spot—learn about their culture, mission, and values.
  3. Write a job search plan to hold yourself accountable; write down where you want to apply, how many applications you want to send out each day / week, how many people you will contact in your network each week, the time you will commit to networking each day, the resources you will use to help you prepare your career documents, etc.
  4. Once you have identified where you want to work and what you want to do, list your contacts so you can reach out to your network. Not sure you have the right contacts? There is where LinkedIn can help you see who you know who might be able to assist you.
  5. Draft your resume toward your target job(s). Make sure that your resume is appropriate for your career field, includes key words, focuses on the past 10 years, uses numbers to provide context to your work, accomplishments to demonstrate the value you have contributed to your employers, and a strong qualifications summary.
  6. Use your network to apply for positions you hear about, tweaking your resume each time to ensure it fits the specific announcement. If you can identify the hiring manager and find him/her on LinkedIn, read and respond to their posts. It’s OK to apply through job boards but do not make job boards your sole strategy.
  7. While you are waiting for responses, practice your interview skills.
  8. Follow up if you haven’t heard about your applications after 2-3 weeks.
  9. Don’t get discouraged. Job search takes time and in the current environment where many employers are still teleworking and the volume of applicants is high, it may take longer than usual to make the transition you want.
  10. Engage in self-care throughout the process. Job search is high stress. Don’t forget to do all of the things that you know you should: eat right, exercise, take breaks, engage with family and friends—and take time for yourself!