We run a systematic hiring process for sales positions. We have refined the process over the past 14 years and have it optimized (even though when we started we were writing newspaper employment ads!). As part of any hiring process, you have to receive resumes of respondents to the ad. This is where things are changing. A new trend I am seeing is resumes with copy and paste information from job descriptions, websites, etc. What I mean is candidates do not take the time to write about their skills and experience in their current or previous roles. They simply use web/marketing copy that they paste into their resume. I have… Read More
Continue Reading5 Tips For Hiring A Sales Manager
This Selling Power article is a quick, solid read. The 5 tips are all on point with this one being my favorite: 2) Metrics without context. Your candidate noted that his or her team closed $2 million in sales last year. That’s great. But what was the quota? What were the expectations? Was this half of what your potential new hire and the team were expected to do? Or did they not only exceed quota, but also outperform every other sales team at the company? Don’t rely on metrics alone; your candidate should provide context that tells the whole story. So much of resume information is devoid of context yet… Read More
Continue ReadingOverused Adjective
I am spending an inordinate amount of time reviewing resumes and one particular word keeps appearing throughout many of the resumes. The word is… proven Perhaps the most insipid phrase is this – “proven track record.” Every time I see this phrase I immediately want the candidate to prove it. In most instances, the quoted achievement would be difficult to prove to an outsider. That fact makes this throw-away phrase easy to included. My personal take is to have the candidates simply state their record in numbers.
Continue ReadingThe Value Of An Updated Resume
I am stuck in an ongoing cycle of sourcing. Just when I am about to be worn down, I come across a resume that lists the candidate’s technical skills. The first thing listed: -MS Windows 98 Seriously…Win98? My guess (hope) is that the candidate simply has overlooked that part of his resume for years. That is about the only explanation because I certainly hope he isn’t touting his technical proficiency with an operating system from 13-14 years ago.
Continue ReadingResume Writing
I am filtering through many resumes right now and having a wonderful time examining some of the unique stylings of candidates. Some flavor: -One candidate listed his core competencies…TWENTY FOUR of them -Another stated this, “Subject Matter Expert in dilemma analysis.” -Another misspelled his name – his name Never ceases to amaze me when sourcing.
Continue ReadingMost Overused Word
My vote for the most overused word in resumes: Dynamic It has become cliché in my eyes.
Continue ReadingCommunicate They Do Not
One of my favorite anecdotal websites is Killian Advertising’s Cover Letters From Hell. I promise you will laugh so check it out. In the meantime, here is a sample of the some “unique” writing: “It is my desire to develop and generate the revolving scheme to filter to the consuming public in.” “I’m looking for work because even though my company was profitable last year, this year they are expecting a large defecate.” “A flaw that I must point out because it even bothers me is that I am impatient. I hate waiting, but then again who does?”
Continue ReadingMind Your Address
It just doesn’t seem so difficult to figure this out, but candidates keep using their personal email addresses that seem to date back to their college days. Of course, there wasn’t email when I was in college…different story. Here is one I came across today: shovelhead@yahoo.com Unbelievable. Instead of considering his candidacy, I am left with thoughts of the potentially peculiar shape of his head.
Continue ReadingOdd Resume Inclusions
In first reading this I thought I was reading a line from one of Jeff Foxworthy’s jokes, “You know you are a redneck if you write on your resume, “hobbies include sitting on the levee at night watching alligators.” Nope, this is one of many odd resume inclusions from an article on CareerBuilder. If you have ever run a recruiting process you probably can come up with your own list, but CareerBuilder has put together some beauties: Candidate included that he spent summers on his family’s yacht in Grand Cayman. Candidate attached a letter from her mother. Candidate used pale blue paper with teddy bears around the border. Candidate explained a… Read More
Continue ReadingFinding Fibs On A Resume
In reviewing the HRGURU newsletter I ran across a good article on finding fibs in resumes. It gives some sound advice to follow so you are not discovering these lies on the resume after a person starts. The 5 tips: Get an early read about the candidate’s visible profile. Look for a candidate’s public profile by reviewing announcements, articles and other material that often can be found easily online. You do need to gauge how much stock you’ll put into whatever you find—good or bad—because you can’t always believe what you read. Confirm academic credentials early. Gain consensus on the reference checking process. Who is going to perform it and… Read More
Continue Reading