Have you submitted a resume and wondered why you didn’t even get a call, when you felt that you were a perfect fit? Have you ever had the feeling that your resume was buried in a database and not even being read by human eyes?

Chances are your resume didn’t demonstrate all three items an employer looks for. Even in the pre-screening process, databases/recruiters/HR staff are instructed to search for these three items, based on the criteria the hiring manager gives.

If you can clearly present these three items in your resume, you greatly increase the odds of gaining an interview. But what are they?

1. Can the candidate solve the specific top problems I have today? An employer is searching for evidence that you can solve their unique top problems. The best way you can demonstrate that you can solve their top problems is by clearly demonstrating that you’ve already solved similar problems. Most resumes do a poor job answering this question, as most candidates create resumes that demonstrate general problem solving skills rather than solving the unique top problems a specific employer has today. Learn more about how to demonstrate that you’ve solved similar employer problems in “Employer Value Statements Make Your Resume Sizzle” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/03/09/employer-value-statements-make-your-resume-sizzle/.
   • Do your research to find out the specific problems, challenges, and goals a company has today. Learn more about what to research and some great resources in “4 Killer Ways to Use Research” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/07/16/4-killer-ways-to-use-research-in-job-search-best-of-recareered/.
   • Do further research to determine how those corporate challenges, problems, and goals affect the department and hiring manager. Often this research isn’t publicly available – learn where to find it in “Dirty Rotten Job Search Secrets” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/12/03/dirty-rotten-job-search-secrets/.
   • Don’t just list broad industry skills, hoping it meets your target’s needs. Learn where to find which keywords to customize in “What Keywords Should I Use On My Resume?” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/08/12/what-keywords-should-i-use-on-my-resume-job-search-question-of-the-week/.
   • Don’t just say that you can learn – Beyond entry level jobs, few companies will pay you for training or ramp-up time when they can find plenty of candidates who won’t need training. Learn how to avoid disqualifying yourself unnecessarily in “Interview Road kill – I Haven’t Done it, but I Can Learn” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/02/20/interview-road-kill-%E2%80%9Ci-haven%E2%80%99t-done-it-but-i-can-learn%E2%80%9D-best-of-recareered/).

2. Can the candidate build shareholder value? Outside of the non-profit world, a company is willing to pay an employee because they believe you will make them more money than they pay – You are an investment. The best way you can demonstrate that you’re a profitable investment is to demonstrate how you’ve already built shareholder value for past employers and clients. Most candidates forget this notion, writing a resume that focuses on what they themselves want (WIFM) or a resume that describes how they spend their day (responsibilities based resume). Learn how to instead focus on what the employers wants in “Job Seekers – Tell your readers WIFT (What’s In it For Them)” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/03/17/job-seekers-tell-your-readers-wift-whats-in-it-for-them/.
   • Do your research to find out the type of value likely to be important to this specific company, department and manager. Learn where to find this value in “Guerrilla Job Search Tactics” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2009/11/24/guerrilla-job-search-tactics/.
   • Demonstrate your value in numerical results or percentages. Learn how to monetize your accomplishments in “Estimating On Your Resume” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/10/26/estimating-on-your-resume/.
   • Translate your accomplishments to shareholder value. Learn how to express your accomplishments to show how you built ROI in “Do You Create Employer Value?” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2008/04/29/do-you-create-employer-value/.
   • Claim responsibility whenever you can – your resume isn’t the place to share accolades with others for political gain.
   • Don’t emphasize responsibilities – Learn how to instead focus on accomplishments in “Experience vs Accomplishments” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/04/22/experience-vs-accomplishments/.
   • Don’t emphasize your past companies accomplishments. Instead, focus on your individual specific achievements and how your accomplishments helped your past companies achieve goals.

3. Will the candidate fit in with the company’s culture? While this is really answered during the interview, your resume gives clues about how you’ll fit in with the company’s culture. But because these clues are so limited because you’re not there in person, language found in most resumes serve as disqualifiers rather than qualifiers. Here are some ways to make your resume’s language position you as a top candidate before your face-to-face interview, instead of disqualifying you.
   • Learn as much as you can about a company’s culture before applying for a position. Learn what you can learn and where you can learn this information in “6 Ways To Become the Top Dog Before Your Interview” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/05/07/6-ways-to-become-the-top-dog-before-your-interview-best-of-recareered/.
   • Be who you are, rather than trying to present a different persona. Learn why you are a better candidate by being you, rather than pretending to be what you “think” the company wants in “Job Search Trick or Treat” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/10/28/job-search-trick-or-treat-2/.
   • Do research to find companies and positions who will value an employee with your personality.
   • Don’t fear ageism – embrace it. Learn how you can beat ageism in “4 Ways To Combat Age Bias On The Job Market” at http://www.recareered.com/blog/2010/09/30/4-ways-to-combat-age-bias-on-the-job-market/.
   • Don’t waste your time – If you’re not a culture fit, apply somewhere else

So look closely at your resume…better yet have someone else look closely at it. Instead of asking the generic “What do you think?” ask your reviewer to view your resume as a specific targeted employer would and lay out the background details.

Then ask … Does your resume clearly answer the employer’s three basic questions?

Readers – I’d appreciate employers and recruiter comments on this topic, so candidates can share your experiences points of view.

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