Tips & Information
You’ve read the advertisement and are confident that you meet the criteria, but the trick is to make sure the recipient knows it as well.
A well written resume and cover letter can be the difference between securing an interview and simply being left on the pile.
Resume Tips
There is a big difference between sending a resume to an agency & sending it directly to an employer.
- A Recruitment Consultant is paid to read between the lines of what you have written.
- They're trained to look for 'skill sets' and will call you with further questions to clarify and quantify information on your resume.
- Employers are time poor and when reading a resume are looking for the exact experience they need. If they don’t see it at first glance they will simply move on.
- Keeping that in mind, a Recruitment Consultant will always appreciate a well written resume that clearly demonstrates capability for the role.
You can improve your chances of being invited in for an interview if you:
Tailor your resume
A resume is not a static document that you write once and continue sending out in the hope that at some point it will stick.
It should always be tailored to the role that you are applying for with a focus on bringing to the forefront you're most relevant skills and experience.
For example, if the role requires SAP put that at the top of the list of your computer skills. Don’t leave it buried in your resume.
Clearly list your responsibilities
Use bullet points and not big slabs of text. One to two sentences per responsibility is normally sufficient.
Detail your achievements
Outline each role including special projects, implementation of systems and procedures and any initiatives that you worked on and the company adopted.
Provide details on Companies if it’s not clear
If it is not clear from the company name what they do as a business then include a sentence that provides detail on the industry, company size and turnover.
Make it easy to read
Use an easy to read font with lots of white space to keep the document looking clean and simple to read.
No photos
Do not include a photograph of yourself or pictures/graphics of any kind.
Don’t include unnecessary information
It is not necessary to include information on your age, marital status, number and ages of children or religion.
Make no mistakes
Spell check. And then spell check again.
Make sure contact details are correct & clear
Ensure that your contact details, email address, phone numbers are correct and up to date. If you have a flamboyant or inappropriate email address, set up a basic hotmail account for your job search.
Get a fresh eye to review
Get somebody whose opinion you value to read over your resume and ensure that it reads well, flows easily and avoids any mistakes.
Cover Letters
Keep your cover letter short and to the point
- Briefly address why you are suited to the role making reference to the criteria set out in the advertisement.
- Ensure you spell the contacts name correctly and that the letter is error free.
- Always ensure you attach the right cover letter to the resume for the right job.
