I am still at a loss at the number of job seekers who, when applying for a number of similar positions, send off the same resume. They are obviously unaware that experienced human resources and recruitment staff can smell a resume which has not been tailored specifically to the position being applied for.

Not only are these job seekers doing a disservice to themselves but in a way they are insulting the employer by not having the courtesy to spend even a small amount of time assessing what makes this particular job unique.

Information is power and smart marketers leave no stone unturned in getting it and you should be the same. Here are some simple tips to ensure your resume covers what is required in order to get that all important interview:

1. Thoroughly assess the selection criteria Every position has selection criteria. Most of the times the selection criteria will be written out but there are times when the criteria is not openly stated

- it is embedded through the advertisement and it is up to you to sift through the information to identify this criteria which will always include; specific experience, required knowledge and qualifications. The one area that job seekers can often overlook is personal/particular attributes an employer is looking for. This will involve you looking for key words. An example would be words/terminology like ‘out going’, ‘results orientated’, ‘analytical’, ‘and customer loyalty’. It pays not to underestimate the importance of wording inserted by employers.

The following example of an ad gives you clues about the selection criteria; “The person we are looking for should ideally have a proven track record in computer sales, be extremely well versed with new technologies and be able to work as part of young minded, dynamic team”.

This selection criterion is pretty straight forward. It would read, not necessarily in order of importance:

- Demonstrated computer sales experience

- Intimate knowledge of new technologies

- Ability to work with a young team of salespeople

- Be dynamic in your approach

Once you have fully analysed and written out the criteria then cross reference it to your resume running through; Career Objective, Demonstrated Work Skills, Qualifications, Attributes, Work History and Interests. This will help you in ensuring that the selection criteria are consistently addressed throughout your resume.

For public service positions a full selection criteria is always available. In this situation however you have to address the selection criteria as a separate exercise and, as a result of this, addressing selection criteria in your resume is not as important.

2. Duties Ascertaining the full duties of the position is important on two levels. Firstly it helps in giving you a full understanding of the employer requirements of the position and, because most ads do not list duties, it presents you with your first opportunity to market yourself over the telephone when ascertaining a duty description.

In meeting the employer requirements you can then insert, primarily in Work History, the duties described in the duty statement. Obviously it would not pay to insert word for word the same duties but rather to insert the key words.

When telephoning to ascertain information regarding the duties make sure you;

- fully identify yourself at the beginning while you will be reinforcing it at the end when you give your name either via home address or email for the information to be forwarded on

- have a small list of smart questions which also demonstrate the research you have done

- are really enthusiastic about the position and working for the organisation

3. Information on the Organisation/Company Where the name of the organisation with the vacancy is known it is beneficial to find information out about the company. Aside from cover letters, where this information can often be vital in standing out, I always encourage job seekers to do this as the final part of their resume preparation, after they have followed through with inserting information on their resume with regard to the selection criteria and duties.

It is not about spending a lot of time doing research. It is simply about smart marketing – adding some cream on top of the cake. The most important information you would be looking for here is: Ethos of the company – checking the mission statement and general information on a website to gain an understanding of the mindset of the company and the terminology they use. Understanding where the company is heading – is the company heading into a new technological direction, where it might be expanding or going into partnerships?

From the information ascertained here the particular areas of your resume that can benefit are your Career Objective, where, for example, you can better match your future direction with that noted by the company and Attributes, where you can match the words and terminology used in the company mission statement.

In summary it is about going the extra distance and spending the time to fully understand what the needs and requirements of the employer are so your resume can be not just a good match but demonstrate the additional benefits you offer an employer and thus get you that all important interview.

Sean Teer is the CEO of Envision Australia, a small not for profit organisation that trains, places and supports long term disadvantaged job seekers into employment. Having spent over 10 years in the public service, both in management and training. Sean decided he wanted to give back to the community and left the public service and has now been working in the employment industry for in excess of 16 years assisting long term disadvantaged and disabled job seekers. In this period Sean has run an employment marketing service marketing employers for jobs on behalf of job seekers with a disability as well as placing, training and supporting job seekers on the job. All through these 16 years Sean has also worked as a job search trainer and has authored a book, “Get that Job You Always Wanted”, plus is co-writer and presenter of a unique training program called JobMinded. Sean currently spends his spare time researching and updating his knowledge on employment trends and latest job search techniques as part of his ongoing delivery of job search training at community centres. Sean can be contacted through the website http://envisionaust.org.au

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