One HR's Perspective: Resumes

I recently attended a networking event in Lowell. Let me tell you, they know how to hold a networking meeting! Not only were they very structured and held the members accountable to ‘goals’ they had individually set forth, but the meeting was held in a brewery! I’ve only attended events such as this, in New Hampshire, at a coffee shop of some sort – the brewery venue made things a little more comfortable. Brewery vs. coffee shop, New Hampshire vs. Massachusetts, it’s the same: “Anybody get an interview?”, “Who’s hiring this week?”, “Have you heard back from HR yet?”

As promised in my first post on this blog, I intended to meet with an HR Specialist and share some of their ‘tips’ on the hiring process. Name of the HR Specialist and the company are ‘changed’ – as they asked to be anonymous – the questions and answers are legitimate. (Note to reader: I get to pick the names because it’s my blog.) I share with you the following:

HR: Darius McQueen at Utilities United, NH

-Question: How many pages are appropriate for a resume?

-Answer: In today’s economy when an ad is placed for one job, he will receive 275 applications. So Darius say that a cover letter and one page resume is ideal even for those salaried positions. I asked, “Why”? Brevity was the operational word. That first page should capture the HR/hiring manager’s attention and should be tailored to the job you are applying for. A second page of a resume is just given a ‘quick’ glance.

-Question: What is the most important information on a resume?

-Answer: Your contact information! Believe it or not, individuals either forget to put their email, cell or even their phone number on the resume. There are individuals who haven’t re-visited their resume in quite some time and have since moved so all of their contact information is wrong. Any missing contact information on a resume – it is immediately rejected.

While on the subject of phones … all candidates should make sure that their ‘away messages’ for both land-lines and cell phones sound professional. No cute kid’s voices, etc. Candidates should make sure that if you live in a home with others, that they are all apprised of your employment search and answer the phone professionally and take thorough messages.

-Question: Some of the younger candidates do not submit cover letters with their resumes. Are cover letters antiquated?

-Answer: We actually put more weight on a cover letter than a resume. Most resumes are “canned” and do not show the true ‘color’ or ‘voice’ of that applicant. It need not be long winded - brief works, but tell the HR/hiring manager who you are that the resume cannot. Remember the operative word: brief, two paragraphs max.

-Question: If cover letters are so important, is there anything on a resume that isn’t?

-Answer: A ‘long winded’ or ‘bloated’ objective/summary statement! Everyone tries to sound great, but it doesn’t work. What does work is plain and simple. My objective is to work at your company, “XYZ”. The venue for making your razzle-dazzle statement is in your cover letter. It should sound like you’re speaking from the heart and telling the HR/hiring person who you are as a person.

-Question: Is there anything about some resume that is bothersome?

-Answer: Acronyms. For those individuals who have worked on programs that are acronyms – spell out what the program is called.

In Good Company ...

Like many of yourselves, the staffing industry is out there looking for jobs. Seasoned veterans in the profession are seeing an increase in job requests - slight, but an increase nonetheless. If you are an individual whose background is in the medical or alternative energy - you'll be happy to know that you are going to get a job - sooner than later.

On January 21st, I attended the NH Industry Forum, which was an economic forecast of sorts. The industries represented were: banking, energy, health, commercial real estate, tourism and the university/college system. As you can imagine, the reoccurring theme was that the projections were going to be 'flat' ... not a whole lot of growth, but NO anticipatory decreases, as was seen in 2009. All eyes are on what the government will do regarding employment stimulus and what direction health care was going to take as this has great impact on the economy. All industries were reporting that they were developing their business' offerings in 'depth' vs. a growth module and were making adjustments all over the place. Kind of like you and me! Operative words - be FLEXIBLE!

Part of being flexible is being 'open' to new ideas. One of my new ideas is to network with human resource personnel, interview/spotlight companies and get feedback on all things relative to candidates and share with you their suggestions and input on interviewing. The hiring process/criteria is much more competitive and we need to adjust and align ourselves to this change.

Network. Network. Network. For years, small business owners have been doing this to bring in more business - referrals - through others. The same holds true to the unemployed. Networking groups serve many purposes: exposure to potential employers, possible leads to jobs, support and the list goes on. The number one rule in networking - honesty. Be truthful and sincere as these groups are comprised of individuals who will put in a good word for you with their new employer, when they become employed. If you are not trusted, no matter how stellar your credentials and resumes - you will NOT get a referral.

“You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.” Ralph Marston