Let’s start by saying no one wants to create an unrealistic resume they know won’t get them hired. At least, let’s hope no one shoots for this goal. But sometimes, job seekers inevitably set themselves up for failure by creating unrealistic resumes. Here are three ways to create the resume you don’t actually want to submit:
1. Make Your Qualifications Unrealistic
If you want to set yourself up for failure down the line, add qualifications to your resume that surpass your true capabilities. Some people make the mistake of looking at the requirements found in a job posting, then duplicate them on their resume. Without being able to back up those qualifications, the truth about your ability to fulfill the employer’s goals are bound to be revealed.
2. Include Unrealistic Details Regarding Your Background
Another surefire way to make your resume unrealistic is by exaggerating your educational background or experience.
If you attended a college for one semester, don’t write your resume in a way that gives one to understand that you have obtained a degree. And just because you were asked to manage a project that required you to also oversee a team of salespeople for two days doesn’t mean you deserve the title “Sales Manager.”
Employers will look for you to come with the expertise and wisdom you claim to have. If you can’t back up your statements, you could find yourself in a bad position down the line.
3. Say You Can Make A Commute You Can’t Actually Make
Sometimes we run across amazing jobs that just happen to be located 150 miles from home. We want the job so badly that we go ahead and apply with no plans of relocating or making the commute. Or sometimes we simply want to know that we could get hired—even if we don’t plan to accept the position.
If you know that you can’t make a commute for a position and don’t plan to move, don’t say that you will on your resume. Better yet, to avoid wasting everyone’s time, it’s probably a good idea not to apply at all—unless you’re sure the employer will allow you to telecommute.
Being unrealistic is a normal human trait. Unfortunately, it could make for a difficult job search if you’re unrealistic while writing your resume. Take time to think about what it is you know you can contribute to positions for which you apply. Taking this approach saves valuable job seeking time and increases your chances of being hired.
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The leaves are changing, the kids are back in school, and that familiar chill is in the air. You think it's the perfect time to look for a job, and it is! But are your job search fears preventing you from making that leap?
It's not uncommon to feel lost when embarking on your job search journey. After all, school teaches us everything except how to get a job. What should you put on your resume? What questions should you ask in an interview? How can you stand out in the hiring process when there's so much competition?
Are you feeling spooked yet?
Believe it or not, there's no need to be afraid of the job search process! You can land your dream job with the right tools and strategy. You can find a job that won't give you nightmares. Here are three spooky secrets every job seeker should know as they look for a job this fall.
1. An Effective Job Search Starts With An Interview Bucket List
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Despite your fears, you've decided to take the plunge and look for a new job. You might be asking yourself, "Where do I start?" The answer is simple: start by creating an interview bucket list.
An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Are you passionate about a company's products or services? Do you feel connected to its mission? Can you relate to its values and beliefs as an organization? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, that company probably belongs on your interview bucket list.
Once you create an interview bucket list, you'll be able to conduct a targeted job search, one with direction and a foundation upon which everything else will be built. An interview bucket list helps you focus your job search and networking strategies on the right opportunities, making it easier to get your foot in the door at one of your dream companies.
2. Your Job Application Needs To Disrupt Hiring Managers
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In order to stand out in the hiring process, you need to disrupt recruiters and hiring managers. You accomplish this by doing two things: optimizing your resume and writing a disruptive cover letter.
A well-optimized resume includes keywords from the job description. This ensures your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager. Once it's in front of the hiring manager, it needs to grab and keep their attention. Quantifying your work experience—adding numbers to your bullet points—will make you stand out from other applicants. Hiring managers will want to know more about you and your accomplishments, and that's how you land a phone interview.
Before that, though, a hiring manager will read your cover letter. To disrupt them, you need to write a disruptive cover letter (obviously!). A disruptive cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell a story about why you feel connected to the company you're applying for. It's that storytelling aspect that will stand out to hiring managers and compel them to pick up the phone and give you a call.
3. Employers Hire You Based On 3 Things
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You can't get hired unless you know what employers are assessing you on in the interview process. While your skills and expertise matter, companies actually hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order).
Most job seekers don't realize how important it is to demonstrate their personality, aptitude, and experience in an interview. You could have the right experience for a job, but if the hiring manager doesn't think your personality is a good fit for the company culture, you probably won't get a job offer.
Make sure you demonstrate your soft skills and learn how to answer behavioral interview questions to prove you're the best candidate for the job you're applying for, not just the most qualified.
Want To Learn More Job Search Secrets?
As you look for a job this fall, it might be helpful to know some more spooky secrets so you can get over your job search fears and finally take control of your career.
We know the job search process can be scary. However, it's important to get clear on what you want to do next and focus on conducting a strategic job search, or what we refer to at Work It DAILY as job shopping. This is the only way to effectively market yourself to employers. If they can't see exactly where and how you add value, then that's going to decrease your chances of landing the job.
The competition is fierce, and there are a lot of factors that are out of your control. But the one factor you can control is your job search strategy, the tools and tactics you use to land a job.
If you want to learn the secrets to conducting a strategic job search, sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp, a two-hour, on-demand video workshop that comes with a free workbook.
In this video workshop, you'll learn:
How to use backchanneling to get directly to hiring managers.
The secret to using a connection story to stand out against the competition.
How social media can be your secret weapon to get job interviews.
The resume format that is getting job seekers more job interviews.
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