Friday, September 07, 2007

Common Mistakes in a Resume' - The "Objective": Part 2

What are the "Rules" to the 'right' objective?
Rule 1: Be to the point.
Your objective depicts you as a person. Are you professional in your approach? Would you be up to the task? Are you knowledgeable? Do you have the appropriate expertise? Are you trustworthy?
One could infer as much as your integrity through a single line that your Objective is supposed to be! Now, that isn't far-fetched. Recruiters with years of experience can make you out from that statement that defines you!
Rule 2: Use minimum words.
Remember! A recruiter, no matter how fast, never has sufficient time. All he looks for is a clue that would fetch him the right candidate. To drench him with words might just be the wrong strategy - and worse so to begin your Resume' with.

Rule 3: Convey just what you want to convey.
That is the key. First, decide what you want to convey; then, convey just that. What is the reason that the recruiter should consider you as the right candidate? What would give him the hint that you may have something in-store that may be of interest to the job at hand? What precisely do you want? Which industry/ division/ job/ position are you applying for? Which skill-sets do you have that would put your candidature above the rest?
Put them all in a nut-shell, make it short, use minimum words and be to the point.
Objective: A CCNA and MCSE with hands-on experience looking for Technical Support Positions.
Objective: Sales Manager in a continuous process industry with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering, having exposure to Material Handling in a manufacturing set-up.
It has to be crisp, it has to attract attention, it has to be you and only you. Never try to be someone whom you are not, in your Objective.
Rule 4: Realise that your "Objective" can decide your fate regarding the job you are applying for!
Well, that is self-explanatory. When you realise that, the rest would follow.
Make the most of your first impression!

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Common Mistakes in a Resume' - The Objective!

I keep going through Resume's and I find mistakes in most of them. Mistakes so common that they never strike people as mistakes at all!
With so many thousands eyeing each job and with every opportunity being sought after by eager competitors, it becomes increasingly important to craft Resume's with as less flaws as possible.
It so happens that the "Objective" part is one that is the most prominent part of a Resume' and yet, one that is so alarmigly standardised and given the least importance towards. Let's see what an "Objective" is supposed to do, in this piece.
A couple of sample "Objectives" that are very commonly used in a majority of CV's are reproduced here:
"To be part of a growing organisation and a global work force that provides opportunities in a world-class environment"
"To excel in my areas of strength and grow with the organisation so that I make my organisation proud and contribute to continuing and constant growth . . . ."
Caution: Never use these in your Resume's! These objectives almost always put the recruiter off.
What would you want to convey to your recruiter through your Resume'? How much scope do you have to convince the anonymous recruiter whom you have never seen? How many candidates do you compete with for the very same opportunity? Why would you want to waste a chance that could be your only one?
Rule 1: Be to the point.
Rule 2: Use minimum words.
Rule 3: Convey just what you want to convey.
Rule 4: Realise that your "Objective" can decide your fate regarding the job you are applying for!
An Objective is a Tool that can convey a message and convince your recruiter to take the next step - to go through the Resume' in detail. In the next post, we'll see how you can use it to your advantage.