Posted on Nov 29, 2016
How to prime your resume so that an employer calls back and schedules an interview
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Like many people, I have spent some time being between opportunities in my career path. I have also embarked on the rat race of trying to get just a phone call back or even a real interview. Today’s job market is hard and employers seem to be scrutinizing candidates at a level where it seems nigh impossible to get a foot in the door. With this in mind, I want to share some helpful tips I have received that have actually worked:
1) Quantify things! They want to know how you will make or save money and numbers do that.
2) Use verbs - you are a leader. Be bold. Use words like led, developed, created, and championed. Make sure that your action verbs and quantifications are close in proximity inside of the bullet points.
3) Include language skills if you have them. Bi-lingual employees are in huge demand.
4) Don’t list cheesy tech skills like Office, PowerPoint, or Word. Everyone uses these programs now.
5) Be direct. You have 7 seconds from the time the resume is opened to impress them. Concise and strong bullet points make that happen.
6) Don’t drag on. Keep it simple and list 1-4 points per employer.
7) Use your contacts and connections. 10% interviews come from the internet and the rest are networking/social.
8) Don’t just include things in your resume to fill up space. Professional summaries, while nice, are definitely not needed as you can explain that during the interview.
9) Have an awards and other achievements section. This is the best place to list campaign, unit, and personal awards.
10) Include academic achievements if notable. List any GPA that is 3.75 or above.
11) Know your audience. Military courses/experiences are great, but you need to translate them to the person reviewing the resume.
In summation, resumes, interviews, and the whole job searching process is pain, but it is surmountable. Make sure to get on networking sites like RallyPoint, network in person, and never rest when it comes to your resume. I hope to see a lot of filled jobs on RallyPoint after this article!
1) Quantify things! They want to know how you will make or save money and numbers do that.
2) Use verbs - you are a leader. Be bold. Use words like led, developed, created, and championed. Make sure that your action verbs and quantifications are close in proximity inside of the bullet points.
3) Include language skills if you have them. Bi-lingual employees are in huge demand.
4) Don’t list cheesy tech skills like Office, PowerPoint, or Word. Everyone uses these programs now.
5) Be direct. You have 7 seconds from the time the resume is opened to impress them. Concise and strong bullet points make that happen.
6) Don’t drag on. Keep it simple and list 1-4 points per employer.
7) Use your contacts and connections. 10% interviews come from the internet and the rest are networking/social.
8) Don’t just include things in your resume to fill up space. Professional summaries, while nice, are definitely not needed as you can explain that during the interview.
9) Have an awards and other achievements section. This is the best place to list campaign, unit, and personal awards.
10) Include academic achievements if notable. List any GPA that is 3.75 or above.
11) Know your audience. Military courses/experiences are great, but you need to translate them to the person reviewing the resume.
In summation, resumes, interviews, and the whole job searching process is pain, but it is surmountable. Make sure to get on networking sites like RallyPoint, network in person, and never rest when it comes to your resume. I hope to see a lot of filled jobs on RallyPoint after this article!
Civilian Career
Employment
Resume
Interview
Command Post
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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STAR Method (Add specific examples), make your own website with custom email (mines bernardy.biz) and they shouldn't have to call you... YOU should call them. I wanted a job at AWS, and I made it happen (21 with no degree... hate to brag, but I can definitely brag about that).
Also, the layout of your resume matters. Highlight key skills you have at the top left (eyes look there first naturally on anything). If anyone needs help with finding jobs at Amazon and how to prep for interviews and lifestyle, don't hesitate to message me.
Also, the layout of your resume matters. Highlight key skills you have at the top left (eyes look there first naturally on anything). If anyone needs help with finding jobs at Amazon and how to prep for interviews and lifestyle, don't hesitate to message me.
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Sgt William Biggs
SPC(P) (Join to see) You should do a Command Post article on finding jobs at Amazon! I would love to hear more and I think the community would greatly benefit.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
Sgt William Biggs - I'll think about it, I'll get in touch with SSG Carlos Madden, I want to get actual postings on here since we're expanding immensely now
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I have always been successful with my resume... thank goodness and have helped others with theirs. It can be tough at times for sure
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great article these are the reason I joined RALLY POINT and these are the things that help develop us as civilians.
9) Have an awards and other achievements section. This is the best place to list campaign, unit, and personal awards.
You tell me how listing your awards in a section of your resume is going to have your employer call you back, NO GO bro, I tried this many times and throw this out of my resume and shortened it a bit, My resume used to be 8 to 6 pages and now I just got down to 3 pages. MY resume is posted on RP for anyone to see so if they need help take a look.
I agree with a lot of your points but some of some are still a little military in away, I've been working with civilians in DOD and civilian sector that have 30 years plus, that have been writing resume and they have been guiding me in the right path.
One thing you forgot if anything is on your resume please don't list it on your Cover letter your beating a dead horse, you are trying to sell yourself at the last resort and this letter could be the finial decision an employer will make between you and another party applying for the position.
I don't want to steal your thunder but again it is a great article.
9) Have an awards and other achievements section. This is the best place to list campaign, unit, and personal awards.
You tell me how listing your awards in a section of your resume is going to have your employer call you back, NO GO bro, I tried this many times and throw this out of my resume and shortened it a bit, My resume used to be 8 to 6 pages and now I just got down to 3 pages. MY resume is posted on RP for anyone to see so if they need help take a look.
I agree with a lot of your points but some of some are still a little military in away, I've been working with civilians in DOD and civilian sector that have 30 years plus, that have been writing resume and they have been guiding me in the right path.
One thing you forgot if anything is on your resume please don't list it on your Cover letter your beating a dead horse, you are trying to sell yourself at the last resort and this letter could be the finial decision an employer will make between you and another party applying for the position.
I don't want to steal your thunder but again it is a great article.
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Sgt William Biggs
I'm glad this is the reason you joined RP! Thanks for adding the tidbit about the cover letter. I definitely missed that!
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