Q: Does anyone actually read the resume you sent in response to an ad?
A. Yup, a real person reads every one
B. I am afraid to think about it
C. No, that resume went into a deep dark hole
The answer depends. Most likely a real person does NOT read your resume. Most likely a piece of software reads your resume first and scores you based on some sort of criteria. Resumes that do not meet the criteria will never see the light of day. Those resumes go into a deep dark hole. Did you know that?
In the olden days, paper resumes arrived in envelopes. A clerk opened envelopes and stacked resumes appeared in the HR person’s mailbox. An R person read (or glanced) at each one, separating them into two piles, yes and no.
We aren’t in Kansas anymore. Resumes aren’t “read’, they are “parsed” and “analyzed” by software tools.
The Bright Score Calculator is a free web based too designed to “help recruiters match resumes to job descriptions.”
RChilli Inc. offers a “resume parsing analysis application.”
iCIMS offers software to help HR people “create a source pipeline for future hiring needs by engaging passive candidates.”
This technology represents a barrier between you and the person you want to read your resume. Your odds of getting the job from an ad just went down.
So how does a smart job seeker deal with this virtual barrier?
Go through it: Match your paper and virtual resume to the job description so the software will find your resume to be a perfect match. Know the key words that are important to the job you want. Include those key words in your resume, LinkedIn profile, and cover letters.
Go around it: Don’t rely on job ads to get your next job. Check the ads and respond if you want but spend the bulk of your time going directly to companies that employ people with your talent. Network with people in those companies and jobs until you make connections that get you introductions.
Go over it: Set up your LinkedIn profile so you can be found by people looking for talented folks like you. Include key words. Be sure your profile is 100% complete. Actively search for contacts that can be influential in your future.
Use technology for your advantage. Do not be overlooked!
Share your experience with resume screening software and other “innovations” at our LinkedIn Group, Job Search Check-Up.