“What have you been doing for the past 2 years?” That’s the primary question hiring managers want to know. Why? They want to understand:
- If you have been productive during the time frame of the pandemic
- Have you stayed up to date with the advances in technology within your expertise?
- Are you currently working remotely, in an office, or both?
- Are you able to be flexible with your work schedule?
- Did you upgrade or expand your skills sets or knowledge through an on-line course?
- Do your skills and experience line up with the position requirements?
- If you had free time available to you, what did you do with it?
- What transferable skills do you bring with you?
- Can you quickly get up to speed or do you need extensive training?
- Do you have a positive or negative attitude toward past employers?
- Are you a team player, an individual contributor, or both?
- Are you using this job as a step-stone to another, or are you looking for a career here?
- Will you comfortably fit in to the existing organization and add value to the work group?
As you know, 22 million jobs were lost and many more jobs changed dramatically. If you had a change in your job content or location, you’re not alone. So, what’s the best way to handle potential hiring managers? Here are some suggestions:
- Keep your resume short and targeted (no more than 2 pages)
- Focus on the critical requirements of the open position
- Select the 5 to 7 key outcomes the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate
- In summary bullet points, identify results achieved that matches those outcomes
- Use the same or similar words on your resume to parallel the words used on the position description. Different words may mean different things to the reader.
- Use specific numbers, dollars, ratios or metrics that defines your achievements, i.e. Increased productivity 8.3% over 12 months through a technology upgrade
- Include a new certification, on-line course or volunteer activity to show how you used your time productively to keep engaged and sharpen your skill sets
- The key to a powerful resume is the transferable skills and results that a hiring manager needs to add value to the results of the work group. If you don’t have them, someone else will.
Your post-pandemic resume needs to be uniquely designed to fit the events of the times. With the lack of training and development programs to keep employees up to date, some workers have fallen behind. Hiring managers need to know that you’re flexible to work at a remote location, an office, or both. If you have had experience as a supervisor within a remote group, make sure to emphasize those skills. It will set you apart.
Skills and experiences that differentiates you from all others will make you a better candidate. Create a post-pandemic resume that demonstrates your readiness to contribute as a high performer.
For a FREE critique of your resume, send to: wkaufmann44@gmail.com