Sending out resumes, but no requests for an interview?

Far too many job seekers apply for multiple jobs, yet they wonder why they never get a call for an interview. Hiring managers typically are only interested in a candidate whose resume demonstrates they can meet the requirements for that specific position. Does your resume clearly show your capabilities?

Stuck in the past

Years ago, the trend with writing a resume, was to set up one resume and use it over and over again, and simply sell your qualifications on a cover letter. The old-style resume showed a chronological listing of the work history, listing the primary duties performed. In essence, it was a brief job description of the duties. What the candidate assumed by the combination of cover letter and resume, was that an interviewer would ask more questions at an interview, where the job seeker could further explain how they were qualified for the position. It also assumed that a hiring manager would be dazzled by the long, stable employment.

Nowadays, that style of resume only works, if there are a few job applicants, and/or the hiring manager has decided to give the candidate a chance to further explain their qualifications in an interview. In Michigan's high unemployment rate, it is not uncommon for a hiring manager to have 50 to 100--or more applicants for a position. Because the hiring manager typically will not  interview the majority of the candidates, they are  screening a candidate who meets their required criteria. The resumes that don't reflect that criteria get bypassed. For that reason, a job seeker needs to customize a resume to fit the employer's needs.

How to customize a resume

Take the example of the posting on the Michigan Talent Bank recently for the Managing Director of the St. Joseph County Road Commission, in Centreville, MI. As a job seeker, you might be interested in this position; however, unless your resume shows that you meet most or all of the qualifications, chances are that someone else will be selected for an interview.

Let's look at the qualifications that were listed for this position. On the Michigan Talent Bank, the description read:

"Under the direction of the Board of County Road Commissioners, the Managing Director directs and supervises all functions including project planning and development, human resource management and union labor relations and contract negotiation, fiscal management and budget control, physical plant management and must have knowledge of road and bridge construction and maintenance. The ideal candidate should have extensive knowledge of Act 51, and a good understanding of local, state and federal highway financing, and must possess strong public relation skills in dealing with employees, local, state and federal government officials and the business community. Salary and benefit package is commensurate with experience and education. Please send resume and salary requirements to the St. Joseph County Road Commission, 20914 M-86, Centreville, MI 49032, or email to adm@sjcrc.com. Full job description can be requested by email or visiting www.stjosephcountymi.org; NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Application deadline is August 10, 2010 by 3:30 p.m. or until position is filled. An Equal Opportunity Employer

Job requirements: This job requires a bachelor's degree and 4 years of experience.
Specific requirements: This job has some special requirements. You must possess a private drivers license.
Additional requirements: A Bachelor’s Degree in public/business administration, civil engineering or closely related field is preferred, with 4 years of public works/transportation experience.

Background must provide a broad knowledge of highway and bridge construction and maintenance, with engineering skills and extensive managerial experience in the public sector. Must possess computer skills, including Microsoft Office. "

Using this example, determine what skills they are seeking in the ideal candidate

1. The Managing Director directs and supervises all functions including project planning and development, human resource management and union labor relations and contract negotiation, fiscal management and budget control, physical plant management.
2. Must have knowledge of road and bridge construction and maintenance.
3. The ideal candidate should have extensive knowledge of Act 51.
4. A good understanding of local, state and federal highway financing,
5. Must possess strong public relation skills in dealing with employees, local, state and federal government officials and the business community.
6. This job requires a bachelor's degree and 4 years of experience.
7. You must possess a private drivers license.
8. A Bachelor’s Degree in public/business administration, civil engineering or closely related field is preferred, with 4 years of public works/transportation experience.
9. Background must provide a broad knowledge of highway and bridge construction and maintenance, with engineering skills and extensive managerial experience in the public sector.
10. Must possess computer skills, including Microsoft Office. "

How to fit your resume to these qualifications

Based upon your knowledge, prior work experience, education, additional training, volunteer work, and transferrable skills, do you have any of these qualifications, or do you have a related qualification that demonstrates you could quickly adapt to these skills? Or better yet, can you not only meet, but exceed these requirements?

Underneath the contact information, set up a section on the resume, listed as "Summary of Qualifications." In that section there should be a bullet point for each and every qualification the candidate can meet, or exceed. 

The hiring manager is typically seeking to interview only the candidates who qualify for that specific position. This technique allows the hiring manager to quickly see that you, the job seeker meet their needs. If the job seeker demonstrates that they can meet or exceed the requirements right at the top of the resume, the hiring manager will take the time to read the resume, and hopefully select you for an interview. However, if the qualifications are not apparent on the resume, the odds are good another candidate's resume will be selected.

Think of your resume as an outline, and further explain your accomplishments

If you have listed how you meet those qualifications at the top, you have given the hiring manager several compelling reasons why you should be considered. Next , every qualification in the top section needs to be addressed with an example in either the work history, volunteer work, and education sections. For instance, (using the above description) if on a previous job, you have worked with Act 51, you may want to further explain how your knowledge of that Act helped you achieve something of value for the employer. By doing this, you have provided a concrete example of your qualification and further built your credibility.

That's the key---focus on accomplishments in the work section that are of interest to this specific employer. If it is not relevant, don't include that accomplishment.

"This takes a lot longer more work than sending out the same resume, and it does not show my best skills"

Are those best skills on your standard resume something that really would be of interest to this employer? Are they relevant to this position? If so, keep it on this resume. If not, remove it.

"I don't have any of those skills, but I'm interested in this position"

Ask yourself if you have the skills and capabilities to perform the job, even without the requirements. If you cannot come close, it is a waste of your time and theirs to submit a resume for the position. However, if you still feel that you would be a good fit, because your skills are close enough, then in the bullets at the top, and in the work history, list compelling skills and qualifications that show how you can be of help to that organization.

Summary
Remember that in most cases, your resume is the first impression a hiring manager forms about you, as in most cases, they have never met you. That's why, the hiring manager needs to see, in writing, how you are a candidate worthy of a job interview.

Make sure that your resume is accurate, honest, shows you are capable of the job, and most importantly- is free of all spelling and punctuation errors.

If you are interested in applying for this position.

The position is listed on the Michigan Talent Bank, Job Order: 2916588. The employer is the St. Joseph County Road Commission in Centreville, MI.

Follow the instructions on the posting to apply. The posting lists the deadline is "August 10, 2010 or until the position is filled."

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