Research has shown that a resume written by the jobseeker can significantly increase his or her chances of “standing out” in their search for a new position. The candidate can incorporate appropriate industry terminology and relevant information that will help potential employers differentiate them from other applicants.

Employers are increasingly using technological innovations (including search word optimization and interviewing by impersonal, “robo-interview” follow-ups via the internet) to weed out candidates.

That’s why it is so important that the jobseeker uses the right words with exact, relevant information in their resume to get past initial screenings and capture the reader’s attention which is why I encourage candidates to draft their own resumes and discourage them from working with professional resume services.

While these services are useful in certain instances, they often do not fully understand the industry lingo and nuances – I’ve found that to be especially true with the business, clinical and administrative terms used in healthcare and philanthropy.

Clearly articulating the jobseeker’s individual skill set, with input from a search professional who understands and has hands-on experience within an industry, is key to producing a resume that will elicit a “thumbs up” result.

One more tip for a resume that will generate a “thumbs up” – visually scan the resume for 15 seconds. Resume reviewers make clear decisions within the first 15-30 seconds if they have an interest in moving forward in assessing and learning more about a potential candidate.

Presentation counts – a lot. There’s only one chance to make a favorable first impression!

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