One of the most talked-about topics of the hiring process that no job seeker can evade: resumes. These highly debated CVs claim hours of revision, but nevertheless account for an important step in the job application process. New grads and tenured professionals alike know the plight of sifting through countless search results hunting for guidance and writing tips. Medpace Recruiter Kay Butler settles the debate on resume formatting, templates, and more in our resume Q+A to help you land your dream job at Medpace.
Why are resumes important?
“In a way, it’s a first impression” Kay explains. When it comes to eye-catching elements like formatting or mistakes like spelling, recruiters are already picking up on skills you might have such as attention to detail. Resumes are also how hiring teams screen candidates, so make sure all of your information is accurate and updated to help you make a good first impression with the hiring team and increase your chances of moving further in the process.
How important are templates and formatting?
As a recruiter who looks at every single resume that comes through for her hiring team, Kay isn’t partial to one template over another. What she’s really looking for is information, not necessarily how it’s presented. When considering layout options, Kay recommends you consider your audience. For example, jobs in Graphic Design or other creative roles may lend themselves to a more creative resume or even portfolio. Knowing your audience and considering the potential background of the hiring manager could help you determine the look of your resume.
Describe a common mistake that you see on resumes. How might candidates fix this?
One of the most repeated mistakes Kay sees is grammar. “Have someone proofread your resume before submitting it,” Kay urges. These mistakes can be easily missed, but correcting any spelling or grammatical errors before sending your resume out could potentially mean the difference between an interview and a rejection. Recruiters use every element of your resume to determine who you are as a candidate.
Another mistake that often flies under the radar is mismatching information. Recruiters frequently cross-reference information on resumes with what is shown on a candidate’s LinkedIn. Contradictory information can sometimes lead to a hiring team confirming the information with the candidate or the application could potentially be passed up entirely. When drafting your resume, Kay recommends double checking that all job titles and tenure years match with what is presented on your LinkedIn profile. Hiring teams check!
What is the one piece of advice that you’d share with somebody who is starting their resume from scratch?
Just because you don’t have “professional experience” does not mean you don’t have applicable experience. Kay encourages recent grads or those still in college to include experience gained in classes, clubs, or part time jobs on your resume. If you took a programming class or biology lab that would be relevant to the role you are applying to, include it. Clubs and other certifications can also add to your candidate profile to help the recruiter understand the depth of your experience. “You never know what might catch a recruiter’s eye,” Kay shares.
What is one misconception that you often hear about resumes and how would you correct it?
“I always hear ‘people will look at your resume in 10 seconds and decide whether or not they’re going to interview and potentially hire you,’” Kay says. “I’m a little more analytical than that.” At Medpace, our team of recruiters see thousands of resumes each week and work with their respective hiring teams to review them. Our recruiters also work closely with one another, so if a candidate isn’t the right fit for one department, the resume may be shared with the rest of the team to see if the candidate is a better fit somewhere else within Medpace.
Describe what “quantifying achievements” means and how candidates can implement this on their resume.
At its core, quantifying experience on your resume can look as simple as “implemented X which yielded Y in revenue.” For many new grads, however, implementing this tool can seem impossible with the limited professional experience they have to begin with. Remember: quantifying your experience isn’t limited to those who led high profile projects or hold director-level roles. You have more achievements under your belt than you think. For example, college students and recent grads can use group projects to demonstrate skills like leadership and organization. “College students could put this experience on their resumes saying something like ‘I successfully executed an eight-person group project over a semester.’” Hiring teams understand that college students will not have a vast repertoire of experience, but they can gain a lot of information about your skills through how you highlight your applicable experience.
What Comes Next?
Resumes are an expression of who you are as a candidate, so ensuring your resume is the best reflection of you and your skills is essential. While there is no “magic” resume, considering these tips from our in-house recruiter may help you to refine your resume no matter what stage in the process you find yourself in. As Kay says, “everyone has a chance.”
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