by, Alan Bernstein, President HR Office Savers
I spend considerable time reviewing resumes and qualifying candidates for open positions on behalf of my clients. Here are some tips to help you get past the gatekeeper.
Expect the phone call
More than 20% of the resumes, I call never receive the call because the voice mail is either full or not set up.
If you put your phone number on your resume, you have to expect the phone call – same with your email. Make sure all your contact information is accurate and up to date. Otherwise, you will have missed the opportunity to even talk about the job.
Pro-tip: Test your phone – call your phone from a different phone and try to leave yourself a voice mail. Make sure your outbound voicemail message is professional and you are able to leave a message.
Answer the phone professionally
Avoid answering the phone with “yeah” or “what” or “who’s this”. It is not professional.
Assume every phone call is your next employer. Answer the phone with a complete sentence, a positive/upbeat attitude, and assume the best: “Hi, this Alan. How can I help you?”
Pro-tip: Do not answer the phone if you cannot talk. Let the call go to voice mail so you can handle it when you are ready.
Double check your resume
Some resumes are technically sound but because of spelling errors or confusing employment history, they were not considered. The same goes for resumes that are incomplete or not updated.
Every resume should be checked and double-checked for spelling accuracy, company names and dates, and enough detailed information to explain what you do.
Pro-tip: I wrote an article several months ago referencing the acronym FRY when writing a resume: Feature-Result-You. Check out the Spotlight Magazine archives to learn more.
In Conclusion
Finding a job is not easy. Don’t make it harder on yourself! Many mistakes are avoidable with a little foresight and planning.
Alan is the owner of HR Office Savers, Inc., an independent human resource consulting firm that supports small local businesses and individuals with their human resource needs, including staffing, compliance, and job search. Prior to launching his business, Alan held a series of Human Resource positions of increased responsibility at Harris Corporation, Honeywell International, GTSI Corp, and Verizon Wireless. Alan holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Buffalo, is Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, and is a Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resource Management.
HR Office Savers offers a full range of human resource support options, from employee relations to termination, including performance improvement plans and progressive discipline policies. Contact us today at www.HROfficeSavers.com.
Promoting positive and sustained employment for both workers and employers!
