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KinnyLee wrote:Bill,
This makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the advice even though it's for Andy.

Thanks. I don't know if AndyC is still looking. Most of my response was to TeXJ's comment. At any rate, Andy likes to share.

I will give one more bit of advice. As I stated in my previous post, it's easy these days to submit a resume to apply for a job so you are competing with any one who has a computer and an email account. Many jobs that are posted on job boards or complany websites result in literally thousands of applicants for a single job opening.

Do you think that someone reads these thousands of resumes? No they don't. Search firms and company websites load all of the resumes into a database and use software to sort the resumes down to a small number that are actually viewed by a real person. Even after they are sorted, a recruiter or hiring manager usually spends less than a minute looking at a resume before deciding it's a keeper or ends up in the recycle bin.

The software searches the resumes for "key words and phrases". Many of these key words come from the job description that is posted by the hiring company or recruiter. To increase the odds of your resume being read by an actual person, you need to make sure that you insert the applicable key words and phrases into your resume.

To find out what skills employers are looking for in your particular field, read a few hundred job descriptions posted by hiring companies and look for key words that continually pop up. Write them down and make a list. If these key words and phrases are something that you have education, training or experience, insert the applicable phrases into your resume in the appropriate places.

As I stated, I do not hire IT people. My field is quality assurance/engineering. So if you are looking for a job as a quality assurance manager, quality control manager or supervisor, quality engineer, QC inspector, QC Speciality, auditor these are some of the key phrases that would get your resume to the top of the search pile:

Quality, quality assurance, ISO-9000, ISO-9001, non-conformance reports, NCR, Corrective Action, Continuous Improvement, Lean manufacturing, auditing, internal auditor, inspection, supplier quality, document control, six sigma, first article, FDA, GMP, ASTM, API, ANSI, GD&T, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, etc.

Remember that the purpose of a resume is not to get you a job. It's purpose is to generate enough interest so that you get an interview.

Most recruiters don't have any idea of what a person actually does for a particular job so this is all they have to base their decision to contact a particular candidate.

I hope this helps.

TeXJ wrote:Noticing the requirements of that job seems like it's for a seasoned IT individual. Not one that is just starting out, no? The reason I ask is I am also trying to go this route and learning the ins and outs of what is sometimes said in an job description is not always necessary. But they seem to want some form of experience in this case. Thoughts?

I have never advertised for nor hired an IT person, but I have many years experience interviewing and hiring job candidates in other areas. In fact, today I spent half the day interviewing people and the other half reviewing resumes.

IMO job descriptions are "wish lists". Every company seeking to hire an employee balances their "job requirements" with the desired job skills such as education, experience, job title against specific salary ranges. Sometimes you are in their salary range and sometimes not.

I have applied for jobs where the job description could have been literally taken line-by-line from my resume. For some reason, I rarely, if ever, get calls for interviews for these positions.

After reviewing resumes, doing phone and face-to-face interviews, many times the company will decide that the salary range of most applicants is too high so they hire the person with less experience and qualification.

Another factor is the state of the economy and the demand for certain types of professions. When the job market is poor, the more experienced people may settle for less money, so it can be harder for less experienced people to get hired.

My advice - When I think "outside the box" and think "what the heck, I will apply, it can't hurt" I am more likely to get called. These days you don't even have to buy a stamp. Appying for a job takes a few minutes on-line and an email.

If you are looking for work please find someone to review and edit your resume. Just because you are the world's best IT guy doesn't mean you can write a complete sentence or spell.