6.2 million out of work for more than a year – many of these are last on any list of employers seeking to fill positions as their skills have rusted in a fast-paced global economy GEN Y 16-24 17-40% unemployment GEN X 25-46 average unemployment 3 months BOOMERS over 47 average unemployment 9 months
The old paradigm has shifted from DOERS who are motivated to get the job done and familiar structure to SOLVERS who are motivated by solving problems and freedom to get the job done to BUILDERS who are motivated by building (ideas & programs) and creating value. 75% DOERS 20% SOLVERS 5% BUILDERS to 50% DOERS 30% SOLVERS 20% BUILDERS Caught in the middle – HR vs. hiring manager – requirements Hiring someone they can envisioning contributing to the success of the company, their division, their department.
60% of résumés received for a specific opening are never seen by the hiring manager 70% of résumés received for a specific opening are reviewed by a 3 rd party (HR, recruiting or admin) who may or may not be qualified to review the resume for the position. 60% of those reviewing a résumé have no direct experience with the job they’re recruiting for 40% of the résumés that are “opened or scanned” to be read are deleted or because the reviewer is unclear about what the candidate has done, who they’ve worked for or how successful they’ve been Most résumés get read in 10 to 20 seconds Job seekers refer to the application process as a “black hole where resumes go, never to be heard from again”. Did you ever wonder why? Today, each new job posting generates anywhere from 10 to 500 resumes. Some companies use software that screens resumes for relevant key words, yet most have a real person to screen resumes. Assume average recruiter spends 20 seconds reviewing each resume, they spending 2 hours to identify the top 5-10 resumes. Multiply this by 10 or 20 positions – the average number of openings managed by a recruiter - & they wind up spending 20 – 40 hours just screening resumes!
Develop a headline with a “ WOW factor” Create 3 or 4 key sentences at the top of your resume to highlight your Unique Value Proposition Summarize your experience that is over 15 years old – drop those dates & the dates from your degrees
Eye catching words vs. Fluff – Avoid self-ascribed attributes – hard working, problem solver, motivated, outstanding, effective, seasoned, exceptional, energetic, team player, driven, dedicated – they mean nothing. Instead, give specific examples of your attributes & SUBSTANTIATE them. Applied, Analyzed, Evaluated, Created, Reduced, Won, Improved, Increased, Developed, Researched, Under Budget – key verbs from the job postying. Thinking outside the box Passion RULES -Focus on opportunity Small business has major advantage What build America? – pioneers
Kiss of death words are often viewed as fluff and are useless; scan your resume for empty can unsupported by claims of greatness Eye catching words really catch managers attention: Created Developed Delivered on time & under budget Increased Reduced Accomplished Improved Won Key words from the posting Bridge jobs – other employment list dates to cover the period and then talk about the project or work in some detail