After 20 years in the recruiting industry, Lisa Mark launched her business, Your Career Direction. Her coaching and counseling practice helps students, underemployed recent graduates, and professionals discover and achieve their career direction. Her services include step-by-step career exploration, interview preparation, resume review, networking skills, and more

Question

From her extensive experience with resumes, Lisa emphasizes marketability over simply cataloging job history and says that “an effective resume is not a data dump of job responsibilities. It is a marketing document that presents your information in a professional, engaging and easy to read manner.” One of the most common errors Lisa sees are “resumes that only list job responsibilities and lack accomplishments, are without any personal style, or make claims without specific facts to back up statements.”
Previously, as a corporate recruiter, her process included “a quick scan of about 40 seconds, scanning the top, looking for a Professional Summary, then Job Titles, Company Names and technical skills, and career or industry related keywords. A second read was about 2–3 minutes and included business applications experience and depth of knowledge.” She also comments that she “screened OUT rather than IN” using the job requirements. As a result, “the process was very objective.” English errors also count significantly. Lisa says a resume with “one typo, maybe” would get an interview; however, “two, definitely not.”
On the subject of cover letters, she again emphasizes the importance of sharing your personality, professionalism, and confidence. “The cover letter can be thought of as an appetizer to the main course, which is the resume. If the starter is tasteless, one would have no appetite for the entree.”
When sending resumes to job posting sites, Lisa warns job seekers to be sure to apply in a timely fashion. “When using Internet posting sites, apply within 1–3 days of their posting. Understand that listings on aggregator sites such as Indeed are already 7–11 days old by the time they’re posted.” Lisa recommends that “niche sites are best, as are jobs posted on LinkedIn, LinkedIn Groups and Craigslist right now.” Applicants can increase their chances greatly by applying directly to companies via company websites or networking.

Lastly, if looking for help with writing your resume, Lisa cautions you to do your research. “Only hire a professional who has knowledge of the current job market and the job search process. Be wary of ‘free’ resume writing scams and those who market themselves solely as ‘Resume Writers’ who will lack the comprehensive expertise most job seekers need in order to produce an effective resume.”

What behavior can you expect from a recruiter when reviewing your resume?
What is the purpose of the cover letter?
What are some best practices when using online job boards to apply for jobs?

Answer 1

A quick scan of about 40 seconds, scanning the top, looking for a Professional Summary, then Job Titles, Company Names and technical skills, and career- or industry-related keywords. A second read of about two to three minutes, including business applications, experience, and depth of knowledge. Recruiters screen OUT rather than IN using the job requirements as a guideline.

The cover letter is used to motivate someone to read your resume. The cover letter can be thought of as an appetizer to the main course, which is the resume. If the starter is tasteless, one would have no appetite for the entree.

Apply in a timely fashion, within 1 to 3 days of their posting. Understand that listings on aggregator sites such as Indeed are already 7 to 11 days old by the time they’re posted. Apply using your resume on niche sites, and on jobs posted on LinkedIn, LinkedIn Groups, and Craigslist. Candidates can increase their chances greatly by applying directly to companies via company websites or networking.