Current Events > Becoming a hiring manager confirmed my suspicions about resumes

(+) Yeah! (+)

Having a well written resume really is the difference between getting a second look and being disregarded immediately

I know that seems obvious but the number of terribly written, lazy, bare resumes I get at my desk would tell me otherwise.

I'm not saying your resume needs to be a novel and have professional language blah blah blah. But put some effort into it and you will definitely start getting second looks.

Put more effort into your resume. It's quite literally all your potential employer has to go off of.

Obvious advice over.

PS obviously there are foreigners to the USA that don't speak English as a first language. They are disadvantaged in this regard. But their resumes are also incredibly easy to spot and it is a simple matter of considering this when choosing applicants to interview.

You're not a hiring manager, you're a CE poster.

Does having cover letters matter? They always seem optional.

There are plenty of free online programs that can make your Resume as good as you want with little effort.

You're a hiring manager, yet can't keep a steady GameFAQs account?

Huh.

As a hiring manager, would you comment on this interview?

https://youtu.be/76emxTx5IQU?si=v0PV_-MgaUly463m

HudGard posted...

Does having cover letters matter? They always seem optional.

Cover letters is a case by case basis, but the answer for entry level jobs is a Not Generally.

They're definitely more for higher level jobs and you will usually be prompted for one. They matter so little in most entry level jobs that people will probably skip right over your letter and go right into your Resume. Included in this is the "Bio" section people use to fluff their resumes - it is fluff, and I will skip right over it to your job descriptions.

Are you using any software to help you filter out resumes? If so, what do you recommend to get past that initial filter so my resume gets read by a human?

So you're saying my resume should be laser-etched on a sheet of steel?

Cruciferous posted...

Cover letters is a case by case basis, but the answer for entry level jobs is a Not Generally.

They're definitely more for higher level jobs and you will usually be prompted for one. They matter so little in most entry level jobs that people will probably skip right over your letter and go right into your Resume. Included in this is the "Bio" section people use to fluff their resumes - it is fluff, and I will skip right over it to your job descriptions.

This sounds like the opposite of what I heard. Entry level jobs you'd need a cover letter more as you don't have enough experience to let the resume do the talking.

Let's see Paul Allen's resume.

Post an example of a good resume and a bad one (personal stuff blacked out, obviously).

Questionmarktarius posted...

So you're saying my resume should be laser-etched on a sheet of steel?

I'd print it on one of those crystal cubes if you really want to stand out?

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

I work good.
The end.

Questionmarktarius posted...

So you're saying my resume should be laser-etched on a sheet of steel?

Or carved into a clay tablet using substandard copper tools

UnholyMudcrab posted...

Or carved into a clay tablet using substandard copper tools

okay, but it'll be in Sanskrit.

I make my resume out of crisp 1 dollar bills.

It really shouldn't matter though. Everyone wants the job because it's a job. No need to skirt around and play games in interviews and in the hiring process. At the end of the day everyone just wants a job and the qualifications should be upfront without needing to look fancy. It'll likely come down to personality more than anything.

--Zero- posted...

It really shouldn't matter though. Everyone wants the job because it's a job. No need to skirt around and play games in interviews and in the hiring process. At the end of the day everyone just wants a job and the qualifications should be upfront without needing to look fancy. It'll likely come down to personality more than anything.

I get what you're saying and you're not necessarily wrong

That's simply not how things work in my position.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

That's fair.

One example I can give off the top of my head is someone who googled job descriptions for their listed jobs and didn't bother to edit the text or anything, so it started with "Examples of responsibilities for housekeepers include" A quick Google led me to the page where they lifted it verbatim.

That's probably the most egregious one I've seen recently. In my head, if you can't even put this much effort into your resume, what kind of effort will you give at the job?

So far this kind of thinking has worked out for me

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Almost like he didn't put any effort into his criticism.

Almost like he is not a hiring manager, but a 16 year old CE poster

ArtiRock posted...

This sounds like the opposite of what I heard. Entry level jobs you'd need a cover letter more as you don't have enough experience to let the resume do the talking.

I've heard the same things too.
But your basic entry level job is not complex enough for me to need a cover letter. Anything I need to know would be covered during a screening call.

In my own opinions and experiences, of course.

Classic.

Nobody on CE has a significant job or title. lol

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


You skipping past this doesn't convince me that you're being serious.

Cruciferous posted...

Classic.

Nobody on CE has a significant job or title. lol

Network engineer > hiring manager

Cruciferous posted...

Put more effort into your resume. It's quite literally all your potential employer has to go off of.

I have heard that modern advice is to avoid an introductory statement/paragraph on your resume. Do you agree with that?

I'm a Senior Manager at a CPA Firm, so I can only speak on the Corporate side but if you're looking to get a career and want your resume to look good, here are some of my advice that I don't usually hear others give regarding resumes.

1. Put your accomplishments, not your responsibilities. Most people at a Corporate level wants to see you being someone who is proactive, not reactive. Someone who is a go-getter, not some person that waits around and goes "okay so what next do I have to do?" when asked why they are not doing anything.
2. Put a number/percentage on your accomplishments so it's measurable. From a top of my head from a interviewee that I liked, "Created excel templates to reduce the workload by 50% when checking Timesheets for 350-450 employees." This will make it easier to show recruiters that you will provide results.
3. Stretch the truth, but don't lie. I'll give a personal example, I was a Community Service Director at an Accounting club. I put on my resume that "Networked with +25 Non-Profit Organizations to allow Accounting Club members to participate and create a bigger impact on the community." The reality? I just mass emailed a bunch of non-profit organizations and hopefully some responded so I can create Community Service events around them. Make sure if you do stretch the truth that you can back up what you say, some interviewers will try to ask questions trying to catch you in a lie.
4. Just get straight to the point, don't beat around the bush. Look at the job listing carefully and tailor your resume around it. Make sure your resume will answer what they're looking for.

I know some of these are common sense, but hopefully I gave some helpful tips. I don't filter the resumes, our recruiters do it but I do notice the ones that get through the filters are usually the ones that at least follow 3 out of the 4 things I said.

mach25687 posted...

There are plenty of free online programs that can make your Resume as good as you want with little effort.

Yup. Its been years since Ive needed one but I always looked up several things to make mine look all nice and professional.

Cruciferous posted...

Classic.

Nobody on CE has a significant job or title. lol

What do you consider a significant job or title?

I've been in IT for over a decade and have seen my fair share of resume stacks. Can confirm. Anytime a position is open maybe one out of ten resumes are worthy to be considered, simply because they actually look like a presentable resume.

It should be as concise as possible for developer jobs. Give me the skills you know and where you used them. Thats it really. No adjectives, no stories, or personal background is appreciated.

I once helped my boss find something on his email and I skimmed through a few of applicant emails. I was shocked that people were still using that generic Microsoft Word template.

CableZL posted...

What do you consider a significant job or title?

Idk but just the role of hiring manager is apparently unbelievable to some cemen hehe

Umbreon posted...

You skipping past this doesn't convince me that you're being serious.

you should delete this fam hahahahah

tankboy posted...

I have heard that modern advice is to avoid an introductory statement/paragraph on your resume. Do you agree with that?

I do. At that stage of my hiring process I'm not even interested in what you have to say about yourself that I'm not going to find in your listed jobs. That sounds harsh, but that bio section is meaningless at that point

Cruciferous posted...

Idk but just the role of hiring manager is apparently unbelievable to some cemen hehe

Ah, OK, I see what you mean. I interpreted that post differently at first.

I've hired about 15 new positions in the last 3 years and a lot of the advice shared in this topic is true.

I am constantly surprised how little effort gets put in resumes and cover letters. As a hiring manager, I like reading cover letters because it gives me more insight into the candidate's personality than a resume does. Everything from the greeting, to what they choose to include, to how they explain the "why" of wanting the job.

Many cover letters have the wrong position title on it, sometimes even the wrong company on it. I've seen this with VP level candidates I've hired, not just entry level.

Some resumes are just too much. I don't care about your objective. Just tell me what you can do. If you want to have an introductory section, I find much more valuable a summary of qualifications, basically an outline of the resume with the most important and relevant qualities. That's more useful than an objective.

Don't put your high school, your GPA, or extracurriculars in college unless it's an entry level job and that's all the experience you have. I care more about previous jobs, what you achieved in those jobs, and any outside community involvements and trainings you received that would make you an asset to this job.

Most importantly, I like to see an ability to communicate and work with other people. Regardless of your previous work experience, I need to know you play well with others and can work across departments. My biggest issues with employee hires that don't last is employees that can't (or wont) communicate effectively, either to solve problems or to build relationships across departments to improve efficiencies.

A_Good_Boy posted...

Are you using any software to help you filter out resumes? If so, what do you recommend to get past that initial filter so my resume gets read by a human?

Company not big enough to warrant that.
I personally don't think it'd even be helpful. Would limit an already limited hiring pool.

I was gonna post a snarky remark about how this topic is condescending to a group of folks who are given zero ability to construct good resumes since its not a skill thats taught nor will employers give feedback on submissions.

But then I saw TCs example and well thats pretty bad.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

not an alt

cuttin_in_farm posted...

I was gonna post a snarky remark about how this topic is condescending to a group of folks who are given zero ability to construct good resumes since its not a skill thats taught nor will employers give feedback on submissions.

But then I saw TCs example and well thats pretty bad.

I kind of forgot how quickly ce jumps on this sort of thing lmao

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

everything is going to Be Okay

cuttin_in_farm posted...

I was gonna post a snarky remark about how this topic is condescending to a group of folks who are given zero ability to construct good resumes since its not a skill thats taught nor will employers give feedback on submissions.

If there was only a thing where people had the world of information at their fingertips. Maybe one day in the future.

voldothegr8 posted...

If there was only a thing where people had the world of information at their fingertips. Maybe one day in the future.

Lol I feel like ur not wrong. but also they have a point.

Nobody taught them it was a skill to learn and how important it actually will be to them. And asking people well into their working years to learn is not always easy.

Yeah I've been working for the same company for 14 years. If I had to make a new resume I'd probably just get ChatGPT to do it first then adjust.

Zanzenburger posted...

I've hired about 15 new positions in the last 3 years amd a lot of the advice shared in this topic is true.

I am constantly surprised how little effort gets put in resumes and cover letters. As a hiring manager, I like reading cover letters because it gives me more insight into the candidate's personality that a resume does. Everything from the greeting, to what they choose to include, to how they explain the "why" of wanting the job.

Many cover letters have the wrong position title on it, sometimes even the wrong company on it. I've seen this with VP level candidates I've hired, not just entry level.

Some resumes are just too much. I don't care about your objective. Just tell me what you can do. If you want to have an introductory section, I find much more valuable a summary of qualifications, basically an outline of the resume with the most important and relevant qualities. That's more useful than an adjective.

Don't put your high school, your GPA, or extracurriculars in college unless it's an entry level job and that's all the experience you have. I care more about previous jobs, what you achieved in those jobs, and any outside community involvements and trainings you received that would make you an asset to this job.

Most importantly, I like to see an ability to communicate and work with other people. Regardless of your previous work experience, I need to know you play well with others and can work across departments. My biggest issues with employee hires that don't last is employees that can't (or wont) communicate effectively, either to solve problems or to build relationships across departments to improve efficiencies.

also everything this poster said, I agree with and endorse fully

Great basic tips for resume writing and some insight into the hiring managers thought process