When David sought to fight Goliath, he recounted his experience as a shepherd: highlighting how he protected his sheep from predators such as lions and bears, to demonstrate his courage and capability in battle. He ultimately got the gig.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he listed his credentials according to Jewish law (his background as a Pharisee, zeal for persecuting Christians), seeking to establish authority in his ministry. Doing so served his cause.
Both David and Paul leveraged their experiences and qualifications to achieve their goals, which is the same purpose as the modern resume – a professional profile and marketing tool.
A resume is used for seeking employment with a potential employer, and there exists a science behind an effective resume as it involves understanding human psychology, effective communication principles, and the mechanics of recruitment processes. Here are six truths about a well-crafted resume most people do not understand:
1. Human Attention Spans Are Limited
A well-crafted resume employs techniques to grab attention quickly and ensure that key information is retained by recruiters or hiring managers. This involves strategic use of formatting, layout, and language to make the resume visually appealing and easy to scan.
2. Make Your Resume Memorable
Recruiters review numerous resumes for even a single position. By applying principles of cognitive psychology such as repetition, association, and storytelling, a well-crafted resume increases the likelihood that recruiters will remember your qualifications and experiences.
3. Persuasion and Influence Are Key
A resume is essentially a persuasive document aimed at convincing employers that you are worthy enough for an interview. Understanding principles of persuasion and influence such as social proof, authority, and scarcity allows you to effectively highlight your strengths, accomplishments, and unique value proposition in a compelling manner.
4. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Many companies use ATS software to screen and filter resumes before they are reviewed by human recruiters. A well-crafted resume is optimized with relevant keywords, formatting, and structure to ensure compatibility with ATS algorithms, increasing the likelihood of passing through initial screening stages.
5. Understand Audience Needs
Effective communication requires understanding the needs, preferences, and expectations of your audience. A well-crafted resume is tailored to the specific job role, industry, and company culture, demonstrating a clear alignment between your skills, experiences, and the requirements of the position.
6. Use Real-Time Data to Make Decisions
Crafting a resume involves analyzing data about job market trends, industry standards, and employer preferences. By leveraging insights from market research and data analytics, you can optimize your resume to maximize its effectiveness in securing interviews and job offers.
