HR, Recruiters, Hiring Managers...they all have different missions

HR, Recruiters, Hiring Managers...they all have different missions It is so hard to figure out the rules of job search.   Probably because there arent any, really.   But you should know the difference between HR, recruiters and hiring managers. Each has a different set of priorities.   I have sat on both sides of the hiring desk.   I have worked as all of the above: HR, recruiter and hiring manager.   I also know colleagues in all three functions.   I thought it might be helpful to help you understand the different roles they play so that you can understand where they are coming from when they provide advice or when they dont return your calls. HR/Human Resources These are typically people who work for the organization (sometimes they can be contracted).   Their roles are to ensure rules are followed and processes are in place.   If the company does a lot of hiring, they may even have internal recruiters who are solely responsible for hiring. Mission:   to enforce rules around HR policies and procedures Pros They know the organization/company Cons They may or may not know the true nature of the job They usually serve as a filter, screening candidates that dont fit the criteria Recruiters This term usually applies to people outside the organization who have been hired or engaged to find talent.   They could be working for a firm or have their own business.   They could be Retained or Contingent. Retained means that they have a relationship with the company (either exclusive or not), to help them find the right talent. Contingent means that if they provide a candidate who ends up getting hired, they will be paid a fee.   Otherwise, they are not compensated. They may even be competing with other recruiters to fill the position. Mission:   To find the right candidate for the company and make money Pros They serve as a go-between and you can and should be more direct in how you answer their questions They will love you if you meet the qualifications of the job they are trying to fill Cons Not all recruiters are created equal If they dont need you, you probably wont hear from them again Hiring Managers These folks have many responsibilities, one of which is to make the final hiring decision for new talent to their group or company. Mission:   To run a successful operation Pros They know the organization/company and the requirements of the job Cons They have multiple hats to wear and filling a job is just one of them Who should you be networking with?   Why is it so hard to get a call back?   Who should you call back? The answer depends, doesnt it!?

4 Ways To Transform Your Boring Resume

4 Ways To Transform Your Boring Resume 4 Ways To Transform Your Boring Resume Job Search / Resume Writing Most people think of their  resumes as an employment record. A document that lists their positions, places of employment, and job duties.  That’s a big mistake. They should be thinking of their resume as a marketing tool designed to sell the candidate to a potential employer. If you’re looking for a new job, you need to position your resume as a marketing piece designed to sell you (the product) to a potential employer (the buyer). A marketing tool l that clearly demonstrates what you have to offer, what you can do to help them solve their problems. That is was it takes to generate job interviews. Transforming your resume means eliminating boring of descriptions of your daily responsibilities; infusing your resume with skills and accomplishments, and making it easy for your buyers to buy. Have Complete Contact Information As a recruiter, I often received resumes with either a phone number or an email address.  Recruiters are individuals which means some like to pick up the phone while others prefer to email. So make it easy for them to contact you whatever their preference by providing a phone number and email address. If you’re concerned about using your personal email address, create another just for your job search. Opt for something professional like your name or a variation of your name. Avoid cutesy email addresses like talktome@ or carguy@ for business usage. Replace the Objective Statement If you haven’t already, it’s time to replace that tired, outdated objective statement.   One of the hallmarks of the DIY resume is an objective statement that may read something like this: Creative, self-starter, with excellent verbal and written communication skills seeking a challenging position in a team environment where I can grow and contribute. . This is a problem for two reasons. First, it focuses on what the candidate wants instead of what the employer wants. Second, did you ever meet anyone who wasn’t seeking a challenging opportunity where he could use his skills and experience? Someone who was seeking a boring, tedious job? Instead craft a summary statement that conveys what you can do for the potential employer. Create a Skills Summary With the advent of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) the Key Word Summary has become a critical part of every resume. When you apply for a job online, most resumes are scanned and put into a database. When recruiters and hiring managers are looking for candidates, they generally search using keywords associated with the open position. Just as with search engines having the right keywords in your resume can be the difference between coming in within the top ten and coming in at number 296. At smaller companies without an ATS resumes may be reviewed by an admin in HR who is looking for keywords. If your key skills are buried in the body of your resume, there’s a good chance they may be missed. So be sure to have a key word summary in the top third of the first page of your resume. Focus on Accomplishments Many resumes provide nothing more than the daily activities of the job. Job descriptions are full of statements like responsible for, and duties included.  Statements like this are not going to impress anyone. What employers are looking for are accomplishments. Things that you have done that have made money, saved money, saved time or helped the employer in some way. Get started by thinking about things that weren’t working when you started at your current employer. Were clients unhappy? Was revenue down? Was it a chaotic environment? What did you do to make things better? Go through this process for your positions over the last ten years. Use the CAR approach â€" Challenge, Action, Result â€" to craft three to five accomplishments for each of your last few jobs. Use these on your resume to demonstrate your abilities. Remember the tired recruiter or HR associate starring at a pile of resumes on a Friday afternoon is trying to find a few good candidates before the end of the day. Make sure you capture her attention with your skills and accomplishments. If you don’t, you will probably end up in a database or worse in the circular file. If you’d like to work with Annette Richmond, a certified resume writer, LinkedIn Profile writer, and career consultant, please schedule an introductory call to discuss your needs.     You will be able to access Annette’s calendar to choose a day and time that works for you.