Resume?

I have a hand with the hiring at my company and look over literally hundreds of resumes for listed postions.

What amazes me is that hardly anyone researches anything about our company and the positions we have advertised. How do I know this? By reading their cover letters and resumes.

Most applicants bury the information I need that is directly related to our opening.

And don't get me started about the arcane skills, certifications and industry terms which mean nothing to my company ("I am completely adept with Lower Poobah AMI standards and have completed four levels of my Grand Master Thigamajig License!").

Look, if the position calls for a Senior Level Java programmer with understanding of ecommerce applications on a Linux platform, don't tell me about your MS.Net experience or your FoxPro certifications. This tells me you did not read the job description and you are most likely shotgunning your resume to whoever has a computer on.

Tell me your related experience, what you have done with that experience and if possible, direct me to some example of it.

Unrelated experience

If you do have a lot of unrelated job experience, explain it this way.

"Here is my related experience which I feel will benefit your company right now. And if it has any value to you at all, I also have tremendous experience in other skills/fields/positions which I will list below".

Employers fill needs, their needs, not your need for a paycheck. Give employers a reason to think you might have what they need right now.

Resume for the job

Finally, rather than sending out 4000 copies of the same resume for 4000 positions, tailor your resume for 40 positions you really want.

Study the company to which you are applying, understand the position and make a compelling argument for your immediate employment.

This is a test

If you were in school and the instructor tells you there will be an essay test covering one to four paragraphs of information, you would make it your business to know that information forwards and backwards and incorporate it into your answers.

Most job notices have a description of the job available, the skills and education requirements and possibly a description of the company and benefits all outlined in a few paragraphs.

Why are you not writing your resume for this description?

Read the requirements and job description and tailor your resume, your experience and skills to the job described. Don't try anything vague or general.

Answer the question the employer is asking. That is what a resume is all about.