You’re a Unicorn!
As a former recruiter, I received numerous applications for a limited number of positions. To streamline the selection process, I looked for candidates who were not only qualified but also showed enthusiasm for the opportunity. I could easily spot those who submitted countless applications without researching the company or position.
Every company wants a unicorn. They all think they’re unique and want to hire the best of the best.
From your perspective, however, all job descriptions look alike. When you’re applying to hundreds of jobs, a project management job at X company doesn’t seem to be different than Y company. But, from the perspective of X company, their project management job is very different than Y company and their top applicant will see that too.
So, how can you make your application stand out? Here are a few tips to look like a unicorn and get more interviews.
Slow down
Take time to read job descriptions carefully. The top few paragraphs of the job description typically address company culture and their vision of an ideal candidate. This will give you clues as to what they’re looking for and how you to impress them. If you take the time to tailor your resume to each and every position, taking note of their unique needs and voice, you’ll start seeing better results. This is the Pareto Principle in action.
Make connections
A recruiter won’t automatically see you as the best person for the job. You’ve got to be explicit in your application as to why they should hire you and why you’re a fit for the job. The Executive Summary is a great place to do this.
Have you worked in a similar industry before? Point that out.
Have you worked on a similar project before? Point that out.
Do you have a personal connection to the company? Point that out.
Whatever you have in common with the company, culture, or position, explicitly state that on your resume.
Copy and paste
We’ve all been taught plagiarism is bad. But in this case, the job description gives you the exact language the recruiter wants to see. So, you have my permission to plagiarize a bit here. Fair warning, don’t copy & paste WITHOUT editing the language to fit your background. Make sure you personalize your resume using the language in the job description to inform how you talk about your relevant experience.
Be strategic
I get it. The thought of customizing your resume to every single job sounds exhausting. The good news is that you don’t have to rewrite your entire resume. Focus on customizing the first page to make a maximum impression. Spend less and less time customizing the farther you go down the page. Your resume only gets 7-10 seconds with a recruiter, so the farther down your resume, the less important it is to customize.
Hire a resume writer
The Resume Rehab has a process for writing resumes and can teach you how to customize each application. We can give you language, examples, and tips based on our years of experience as recruiters, hiring managers, and career coaches. Reach out today!
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