Why isn’t your resume generating calls?
Dear Sam:
I am trying to land a job in healthcare where I can later earn an internal promotion after completing graduate school and obtaining a license as a professional counselor. Employers aren’t calling. What is wrong with my resume?
Dear Erica:
I love how you have been creative on your resume and opened with an excerpt from a past performance review. Unfortunately however, every other area of your resume needs some improvement. Let’s review the areas of opportunity:
Format
You have used an outdated Word template. Be different, change it up, and create something unique to you.
Summary
While you have included an excerpt from a review, that does not make a summary. A summary is a high-level overview answering the hiring manager’s question as to why he/she should bring you in for an interview. Showcasing one achievement from three years ago, along with a quote, does not tell a potential employer how you can add value.
ExpEriEncE
This is where your resume is lacking. You have described 19 years of experience in 27 bullet points in less than 150 words. You, as a professional communicator in your field, must take the time and space to explore the roles you held, the highlights of each and your accomplishments.
This is the weakest section of your resume and may be the reason employers are not taking a second look at your resume. You are discounting your experience by being so brief that one assumes there wasn’t much to it when it comes to your roles.
Refer to recently published books or websites for ideas of what best practices-based resumes look like to create an effective brand.
Dear Sam:
After many years, I’m returning to school for a two-year program in a technical field. I will be living off-campus and need to work part time to cover expenses. I’m not sure how to go about my search.
Filling out applications has never resulted in anything, and I want to be more professional this time.
I could create a resume to apply to more employers than those listed as “now hiring,” but that leads to another issue: Not only am I just looking for part-time work, it will only be temporary, until I’m certified and move on to a steady job in my field. Can you advise?
— Penny Dear Penny:
Congratulations on embarking on this new chapter in your academic and professional career. You have a couple of options.
First, try a temporary agency to secure contract, part-time work. This could be a perfect solution to you not having a long-term commitment, but also getting in the door in a professional setting in the future for full-time engagement.
Second, there is nothing untoward about trying to get into a company aligned with your future profession, but seeking an entry-level and part-time role just while you are in school.
That you want to work parttime is often a plus to employers, as they would not have benefit expenses. When my husband was an adult student changing careers he did just this. He got into a company in his field — albeit in a role different from what he wanted to do — and his part-time job opened doors. Upon graduation, this led to an opportunity that external candidates would have never been given. Samantha Nolan is a certified professional resume writer and owner of Ladybug Design, a fullservice resume-writing firm. Have a question for Sam? She can be reached at dearsam@ladybug-design.com or 614-570-3442.