masikafinance

Most of us at one time or another, have applied a job and submitted your resume/application to HR for a job consideration.

After close to 10 years in HR, I hate to break to you that very few things matter in a candidate’s resume. And one of them it is not the length of the resume! Actually, the length of the resume carries insignificant weight.

Most HR scan through resumes first. After all, they are many applications to read each resume individually. My organization (name withheld for privacy), we do not use a software to scan applications, but we review them manually. This means only pre-qualified applications will be selected for further review.

What you put at the top of your resume matters alot.This is what essentially catches the eye of recruiter first than anything else you write in your resume. Always put the most relevant and qualification at the top of your resume.

Ideally, a resume should be a one page or two utmost. I have seen applicants with three or more pages of resume which I actually do not read, if anything I stop at page one. This is why most relevant qualifications should be at the top of the resume.

Always have updated contact information. We have seen applicants copy and paste previous resumes and we are unable to contact them even when they were offered the position. Always check your email, this is what most HR use as primary communication.

Provide only few years of experience unless specifically asked. Past 5 years’ experience is usually enough and be ready to explain any gaps of employment, if any.

A resume does influence the type of questions you will be asked at the interview. So, understand your own resume before attending a job interview especially job duties you listed in the resume.

Lastly, if you get shortlisted for a job interview, the interview starts from the time you walked in the door, not necessarily at the interview desk! HR assesses your communication skills and interpersonal skills from the moment you arrive at the interview. This is common in service industry.