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I once got into a discussion with a friend who was troubled and felt constantly pressured by his manager who he thought was a very difficult boss. He saw him as an obstacle to his work and felt that he was not enjoying his job and was more worried about going to work each day and so on. But as I continued to ask questions, I was surprised at how little he really knew about his assignments, his manager's expectations, and overall, how to work with his manager effectively. In fact, he tended to make assumptions about what his manager needed or thought, based solely on his observations—without any real facts. No wonder he was struggling! If you are having similar issues seeing eye to eye with your manager, initiate a one-on-one meeting to ask these five essential questions. You may also feel the need to ask more questions, please do so. With the answers you receive, you will better understand your manager’s point of view, be able to work together more effectively, and, ultimately, create more opportunity for success—for the both of you. 1. “What Can I Do to Make You and Me More Successful This Month?” This should be a question you ask on a regular basis—because you should always be trying to make your boss as successful as possible. When you’re able to get a straightforward answer to this, you’ll be able to focus your energy in the right places—because you will know exactly what tasks need to take priority. (It will also remind your manager that you are truly invested in his or her success.) 2. “What is One Thing I Could Do Differently to Perform Better?” Having clear expectations is the key to delivering winning performance—and this question is a sneaky way to find out those expectations. For example, if your manager says he would like you to make more of an effort to actively participate in meetings, you will know that he values a collaborative environment of ideas—rather than coming up with every initiative himself. And knowing that can help you perform exactly to his expectations. 3. “What Should I Know About Your Work and Management Style?” Does your manager expect you to be available 24/7? Respond to emails on weekends? How does he or she handle stress? Asking this straightforward question may not get you all the answers (for example, a micromanager may not readily admit to micromanaging). But even if you get just a tiny bit of insight, you will have a better sense of what to expect and how to handle it. 4. “How Would You Like to Receive Feedback From Me?” No matter what, you my not agree with your manager on everything. But, you do not have to simply remain in frustration. To prepare yourself for an eventual point of contention, ask how your manager prefers to get feedback—you will get a much better response if you play by his or her rules, whether that means scheduling a one-on-one meeting, rather than catching him or her off guard in a hallway conversation or summarizing your thoughts in an email. Once you know how to deliver your constructive feedback, you will be much more prepared to ask for what you need: Whether you would like more frequent updates on deadlines, regular one-on-one time, or faster decision-making on projects, it is important to be able to feel comfortable making these requests. 5. “Why Did You Hire Me?” When you get a new job, you are often so excited that you forget to ask why you were selected over all the other candidates. But this is an important question to ask, because it will help you hone in on exactly how your boss believed you would make the team better. Perhaps your boss will say that you demonstrated your ability to present complex data in a simple way better than any other candidate. And so, now you know that’s a major part of what your boss expects you to deliver. By spending some time in your manager’s shoes and asking these questions, you’ll be able to smooth out any rough edges of your professional relationship. OK—it might be a little intimidating at first, but give it a try. As you build that rapport, you will stop seeing your manager as an obstacle and start seeing him or her as an essential part of your mutual success.

If you were to incorporate any one of the below points into your resume, which of these would you choose? Ordered office supplies OR Saved the organization over AED 500 monthly by eliminating over-ordering and duplicate ordering of office supplies. Most likely you would opt for the 2nd one because while the first bullet point merely lists a job duty, the second lists an accomplishment. It tells you not only what that person has done, but also how well they have done it. Why you should include achievements in your resume When you apply for a job, you are not the only applicant who is qualified nor are you the only applicant with experiences and skills that match what the job description is looking for. But your professional achievements —are yours alone. They tell hiring managers: “This is what I have done for my past employers and I could do the same if not better for you.” The vast majority of your achievements will be in your experience section , your resume summary section, or even a separate achievement section How to include achievements in your resume So you have decided to replace the standard job responsibilities for your professional accomplishments and here is how to do it: 1. Choose the right achievements. Take a look at the job description for the position you are applying to. Note any skills or experiences you have that align with the required qualifications or the job duties you would be responsible for. Then, think about which achievements best exemplify these skills and experiences. If you are struggling, start by thinking about your major responsibilities. What were your goals? If you were responsible for managing a social media account, were you supposed to schedule a certain number of posts? Grow the follower count? Meeting one or more of these goals is an accomplishment—and exceeding them certainly is! 2. Use strong action verbs Traditionally, resume bullet points start with verbs. Choosing strong, descriptive action verbs (in your bullet points and throughout your resume) will tell the reader more about your accomplishment—did you create a new process? Or did you streamline one? And don’t forget to change them up so the first word of every line isn’t the same! 3. Add skills and tools you used Do not forget to actually say what skills you are trying to emphasize with each achievement—preferably using the same phrasing as the job description. If the posting specifically mentioned Salesforce experience as a requirement, for example, explicitly state that you used Salesforce to schedule all those meetings in your last job! 4. Emphasize the results Even painting the most cinematic picture of everything you did and the hard work you put in can still leave a hiring manager or recruiter thinking, “So what?” That is, if you don’t include how your accomplishment helped your team, department, company, or clients. Remember, anyone looking at your resume wants to know what you can do for them—so show them what you’ve done for others. Did you save or make money? Increase efficiency? Grow reach or visibility? 5. Add numbers Whenever possible, you want to quantify your accomplishments or add numbers to give them scale. If you work with numbers directly, this might be self-explanatory. But even if you don’t, you can add numbers to your achievements by mentioning: Time frames and frequencies for the tasks you’re describing The number of times you did something or the number of work products you handled Money saved, earned, or managed The number of employees, clients, or other stakeholders you managed, coordinated or helped Percent growth you saw and percentages of goals and KPIs you hit Audience size If you don’t know the exact numbers or they varied over time, you can list a range (from three to six employees), an approximation (~AED100,000), or a minimum (over 50 clients). Examples of achievements in your resume Here are some example achievements that you can use to inspire your resume: If you are an Administrative Assistant Reorganized digital filing system using PandaDoc, making the office 100% paperless and digitizing more than 1,000 clients’ records Managed meeting schedules and four conference room calendars for 10+ daily meetings each Prepared 20+ slide PowerPoint presentations for quarterly and annual meetings, consolidating updates from all departments across the company If you are in Marketing Created and edited digital campaign and sales enablement content for email, web, social media, and YouTube, resulting in a 150% increase in new clients YoY Monitored consumer engagement and responded to 50+ customer comments a day, resulting in a 27% increase in post engagement Collaborated on the design and creation of 30 unique email campaigns and up to 20 daily social media posts with an average CTR of 5%. If you are a Financial Analyst Analyzed the financial health of 4 companies weekly by assessing balance sheets, P&L statements, and other financial records to identify potential credit issues and capital risks and reported findings to management in written reports and presentations. Streamlined existing analysis process by creating macros to automate common spreadsheet functions, reducing average report turnaround times by approximately 25% Reduced product department budget by 30% without cutting any headcount by analyzing 4 years of financial records using Intuit QuickBooks, identifying waste, and making recommendations to VP of Product. If you are a Product Manager Launched six new products in two years, resulting in 30% increase in revenue YoY Led design of Data-Boosted Ad feature with enhanced targeted ad–serving capabilities, resulting in a 44% increase in ad spend and a 99% customer satisfaction rate Implemented Waterfall methodology to launch new SaaS scheduling product, resulting in a 140% increase in revenue and a 200% increase in new advertisers If you are a Project Manager Oversaw implementation of $600K e-commerce feature, achieving key milestones on time and under budget, resulting in a 27% increase in annual revenue Aligned existing e-commerce framework with expansion initiatives, increasing site traffic by 30% and generating $200K+ in new revenue in just six months Drove product launch initiatives across website, social, and digital advertising platforms; managed $1M budget and achieved 200% increase in customer reach If you are an Accountant Reviewed customer financials and transactions; identify discrepancies and opportunities for growth, resulting in AED 850,000 in new revenue over three years Collaborated on budgets and forecasting, cutting annual expenditures by $500K and increasing efficiency by 30% Oversaw $12M annual operational budget, reducing costs by 20% over four years If you are in Sales On track to achieve 100% quota attainment for FY 2022 Onboarded 33 new clients in FY 2021, resulting in AED 580K in new revenue Closed 95 contracts in FY 2021, resulting in AED 1.7M in new revenue If you are in Human Resources Improved candidate experience, increasing percent satisfaction from 52% to 76% through courteous, efficient, and thoughtful communication with the candidate pool, resulting in 15% increase in referrals of high-quality applicants by current staff Effectively mediated highly complex employee conflicts, resulting in improved performance and positive organizational culture as demonstrated through a 25% increase in positive responses to organization-wide climate surveys

If you have not had a chance to update your resume in a while or maybe struggling with ideas or formats, don't worry. We have compiled 34 of the best resume tips to help you land job interviews. 1. Tailor Make Your Resume Think of your resume as a marketing document selling you as one of the best candidates for the job. For each resume you send out, you will want to tailor your resume, highlighting only the accomplishments and skills that are most relevant to the job at hand. Avoid sending the same resume for every job. 2. Delete the Objective Statement. The only occasion when an objective section makes sense is when you’re making a career change and need to explain why your experience does not match up with the position you’re applying to. 3. Keep the Most Relevant Data First. You should ensure your most relevant qualifications are visible on the top third of your resume. This top section is what the hiring manager is going to see first and encourages them to keep on reading. 4. Keep it Brief. You want the information in your resume to be as short as possible, and keeping it to one or two pages forces you to prioritize what really matters. No need to explain the hows but only the whats (what you do or have done) 5. Include important links. Cover the most important details on that document, and then include a link to your personal website, your online portfolio, and examples of your work. Avoid hyperlinking keywords since it can throw off the tools employers use to store and parse resumes. 6. Make your CV ATS compliant. Most employers use software called an applicant tracking system or ATS to parse resumes and organize them so that recruiters and hiring managers can search for the most relevant applications. You should ensure your resume is ATS-friendly. 7. Use a simple CV format Make your resume is easy on hiring managers’ eyes by using a reasonably sized default font and leaving a healthy amount of white space on the page. Your main focus here should be on readability for the hiring manager and the ATS system. 8. Avoid unfriendly ATS design elements. On the flip side, you should avoid design elements that ATSs are known to have trouble with such as: Tables Text boxes Logos and icons Images and photos Graphics, graphs, or other visuals Headers and footers Less common fonts Columns that can only be read from top to bottom 9. Make your contact information prominent. You don’t need to include your address on your resume anymore, but you do need to make sure to include a phone number and professional email address as well as your LinkedIn profile. 10. Design your resume for a quick visual scan Hiring managers do not spend a lot of time on each individual resume. So help them get as much information, in as little time as possible by making your resume easy to skim. 11. Keep your work experience recent and relevant. As a rule, you should only show the most recent 10 years of your career and only include the experiences that are relevant to the positions you’re applying to. Employers will pay particular attention to the last 10 years or your last 3 employers and draw its relevance. 12. Transferable skills and experiences. Don’t panic if you don’t have any professional experience that fits the bill. Focus your resume on your relevant and transferable skills or projects, and then make sure to back it up with a strong cover letter describing why you are ideal for the job. 13. Write achievement-focused bullet points. The bullet points under each job entry are arguably the most important part of your resume. Start with a strong action verb, and tell the reader how your work benefitted your company so they know what they stand to gain by hiring you. 14. Curate your bullet points and experiences. No matter how long you’ve been in a job, or how much you’ve accomplished there, you should not have more than 10-12 bullet points under it—and that’s only for your most recent and relevant job. Jobs further back should generally be limited to 8 bullets. 15. Use Numbers. Use facts, figures, and numbers whenever possible in your bullet points. How many people were impacted by your work? By what percentage did you exceed your goals? Quantifying your accomplishments allows the hiring manager to picture the level of work or responsibility you need to achieve them. 16. Use important keywords. Scan the job description, see what words are used most often, and make sure you’ve included them in your bullet points. For example, does the job description list “CRM” or “Salesforce”? Make sure your resume matches. 17. Experience first, education later. Unless you are a recent graduate, put your education after your experience. Chances are, your last couple of jobs are more important and relevant to you getting the job. 18. Keep your CV in reverse chronological order. Usually, you should lay down your educational background by listing the most recent or advanced degree first, working in reverse chronological order. But if older coursework is more specific to the job, list that first to grab the reviewer’s attention. 19. Highlight honors and achievements, not GPA. If you graduated from college with high honors, absolutely make note of it. While you don’t need to list your GPA (unless impressive), don’t be afraid to showcase an award you won. 20. Include continuing or online education. Don’t be afraid to include continuing education, professional development coursework, or online courses in your education section, especially if your resume sheds a little light on relevant experience. 21. Highlight a Key skills section. Be sure to add a section listing all the relevant skills you have for a position—especially those mentioned in the job description. Include technical skills like software and project management tools or specific knowledge of how to perform relevant tasks. 22. Show your soft skills. Describing soft skills on a resume often starts to sound like a list of meaningless buzzwords. But being a “strong leader” or an “effective communicator” are important characteristics you want to get across. 23. Include relevant certifications and licenses. If you have a certification or license that proves you can do some aspect of the job you’re applying for, don’t forget to include it on your resume. 24. Add relevant awards and achievements. Do include awards and accolades you have received, even if they are company-specific awards. Just state what you earned them for, e.g., “Earned Golden Salesperson Award for having the company’s top sales record four quarters in a row.” What about personal achievements—like running a marathon—that aren’t totally relevant but show you are a driven / competitive, hard worker? Consider the best way to include it. 25. Cut the short-term jobs. If you stayed at a (non-temporary) job for only a matter of months, consider eliminating it from your resume to avoid looking like a job hopper. But if the short-term job is super relevant to this job, consider including it anyway. 26. Strategically list dates. If you have gaps of a few months in your work history, don’t list the usual start and end dates with months and years for each position. Use years only (2018–2020), or just the number of years or months you worked at each position. 27. Explain serial job hopping. If you have job-hopped frequently, you can include a reason for leaving next to each position like “company closed,” “layoff due to downsizing,” or “relocated to a new city.” By addressing the gaps, you will proactively illustrate the reason for your frequent job movement and make it less of an issue. 28. Explain a long break in jobs. Re-entering the workforce after a long hiatus? This is the perfect opportunity for a summary statement at the top, outlining your best skills and accomplishments. Then, include part-time or volunteer work. 29. Be intentional about career gaps. While career gaps are becoming increasingly common, you should still frame them in a way that’s relevant to a future employer, by talking about skills you gained or any professional endeavors you took on. 30. Ditch “References available upon request” If a hiring manager is interested in you, they’ll ask you for references. 31. Thoroughly Proofread your resume. It should go without saying, but fully edit your resume and make sure it’s free and clear of typos. And don’t rely on spell check and grammar check alone—Ask family or friends to take a look at it for you. 32. Save it as a PDF or Word document. Unless a job posting specifically requests that you do otherwise, your resume should always be submitted as either a PDF or Word document (.docx not .doc). These are the formats that can be most easily opened and most easily parsed by an ATS. If you’re emailing your resume, however, PDFs are a bit more likely to maintain your formatting across different computers and programs, however, .docx are more ATS friendly. 33. Name your file clearly. Ready to save your resume and send it off? Save it as “Jane Smith Marketing Analyst Resume.” The hiring manager is going to find it super easy. 34. Keep your resume outline fresh. Carve out some time every quarter to pull up your resume outline and make some updates. Have you taken on new responsibilities? Learned new skills? Add them in. When your resume is updated on a regular basis, you’re ready to pounce when the opportunity presents itself. All the very best with your next career step and job search.

Out of the hundreds of articles we read daily, we are most likely to click the one when the headline feels urgent, relevant, or captivating. The same applies when it comes to your resume: A strong headline will draw recruiters into your story. A brilliant headline can make all the difference in landing a job interview. What is a resume headline or resume title? A resume headline is a concise description of your work experience, placed right at the top of your resume. It goes below your name and contact information and above your summary or opening resume section. Your resume headline usually pairs a job title with a brief phrase or two that relates to the job you’re pursuing. It’s where you tell a decision-maker that you’re a great fit for the job. Why should I use a resume headline? Resume headlines work because they allow you to frame who you are and your core value proposition to the recruiter or hiring manager right away. This is your chance to say that you’re exactly what they’re looking for and prompt them to keep reading. A headline also gives you a better shot at getting noticed because you can weave relevant keywords into this part of your resume. Keywords (job titles, skills, educational credentials, etc.) that align with the job description can increase the odds of your resume passing through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and landing in front of human reviewers who will ultimately make the hiring decisions. Best resume headline templates for 2023 So, what does a resume headline look like? Here are three different templates you can use to write your own. When writing resumes for my clients, I typically use this formula: Job Title with X Years’ Experience Doing This Directly Relevant Thing Job Title Who Achieved This Very Impressive Result Having just a resume title with no headline may be a missed opportunity to share something specific that ties your capabilities to the requirements of a job. 6 ways to Write a Great Resume Headline A compelling headline will be both keyword-rich and provide a short and snappy elevator pitch—something that summarizes what you’re all about about the job or jobs you’re pursuing. 1. Position yourself for the job you want (but don’t lie) If you’re a marketing manager who’s built a successful e-commerce platform for your current employer and you’re applying for jobs at companies looking for a marketing leader with e-commerce experience, you’d be wise to announce that you’re a marketing leader with that specific experience in your headline. 2. Tailor your headline for each role you pursue You can, and should, modify your headline as needed if you’re applying for jobs with varying requirements. So if you’re that same marketing manager and you’re applying for another job that emphasizes social media marketing—and you also have experience doing that—you shouldn’t hesitate to swap the e-commerce mention for something more specific to social media. 3. Keep it concise Brevity and strategy are key with your headline. Keep your headline up two lines max. Otherwise, your headline should be a one-liner combining title(s) with a powerful phrase about your suitability for this job. 4. Avoid clichés Don’t waste valuable real estate with vague terms like “results-oriented” or clichés such as "thinks outside the box.” Recruiters see these lines too often. Instead, show your impact with a data point: X Job Title Who Increased Revenue by 150%, or similar. 5. Use common job titles If you’re looking for a job as a Sales Director and are working as one now, but have a different title such as Chief of Sales, introduce yourself as Sales Director in your headline. It all comes back to the keywords both the ATS and the people reading your resume are looking for. 6. Highlight accomplishments Again, if you’re a top performer with impressive, quantifiable results to share, this is a great opportunity for you to show off. Take a look at the examples below to see what this could look like in action. A general resume headline, and why it works Say you’re a project and program manager who just earned your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. You’ve selected a few project and program management jobs that you want to apply for and notice that this certification is consistently listed as a preferred qualification. Your headline, then, may look like this: PMP-Certified Project Manager | Senior Program Manager Delivering Complex Projects—On Time and within Budget—for Global SaaS Providers This keyword-rich title immediately tells the reviewer that you’re a project manager and a program manager and that you have the valuable PMP certification. The rest of the headline makes it clear that you have experience in a SaaS environment and know how to successfully deliver projects on deadline and within budget. You’ll also notice that every word in the headline and subhead earns its spot on the page. Everything works together to bring the reader into your story and make them eager to continue into your summary section. One- and two-line resume headline examples Here are a few more headline examples, for a variety of industries and roles: Nonprofit Leader | Executive Director | Director of Development Driving Transformative Performance on Behalf of Global Humanitarian Agencies Supply Chain Manager | Logistics Team Lead Optimizing Operational Performance in Global Manufacturing Environments Executive Assistant | Office Manager Enabling Business Leaders to Thrive by Delivering World-Class Administrative Support Technical Writer | Trainer & Instructor Transforming Complex Technical Information Into Compelling and Actionable Content, Lessons, and documentation We could take those same four people and create one-line headlines for them: Nonprofit Director Who Has Successfully Raised $5M for Children’s Charities Supply Chain Leader With 15 Years Experience Managing End-to-End Global Supply Chains Executive Assistant—an Indispensable Partner to Senior Business Leaders Technical Writer Specializing in Transforming Complex Information Into Compelling and actionable Content Lastly, some bonus resume headline examples If you want even more ideas, consider these: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) With 8 Years of Auditing Experience SaaS Account Executive Who’s Closed Over $10 Million in Sales Content Writer and Editor Who Has Increased SEO Traffic by Over 200% Award Winning UX-Designer Specializing in Accessibility Account Manager Responsible for Upsells Totalling $500K+ in 6 Months Back-end developer Fluent in JavaScript, SQL, Ruby, and Python Advertising Executive Responsible for the GEICO Gecko Social Media Marketing Specialist who Launched and Grew 100K Followers TikTok Account Recruiter Who’s Sourced, Interviewed and Overseen Hiring Process for 200+ Hired Candidates Project Manager Specializing in Completing Over-Budget Initiatives Cheap HR Professional with 18 Years in Benefits Management Certified Special Education Teacher With 5 Years Experience in Multi-Grade Classroom Data Analyst With 4 Years of Experience in Financial Modeling Data Scientist Specializing in Machine Learning IT Professional Who Set Up Hillary Clinton’s Server—Which Is Still Unhacked Engineer Who Founded Tesla No one—not even the ATS—can see, feel and touch your years of experience and understand why you should be hired. It’s on you to frame the “you on paper” as the very best candidate to the decision makers, whether they’re a technology or a group of humans. And it all starts with your headline.

Regrettably, numerous well-crafted resumes vanish into the abyss of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), never to resurface. What causes this unfortunate disappearance? More often than not, the culprit is simple: erroneous resume formatting. In this guide, we're here to illuminate the path to avoiding formatting pitfalls and crafting a resume that stands a better chance of navigating through the ATS maze and reaching the hands of a hiring manager. Steer Clear of These 9 Common Formatting Pitfalls Before you hit send on that crucial resume, ensure it's free from the following formatting pitfalls that could potentially cost you your dream job: Optimal Date Format Matters While seemingly trivial, the choice of date format on your resume can make or break its proper parsing. Stick to the two acceptable date formats: MM/YYYY (e.g., "03/2023") or the spelled-out month followed by the year (e.g., "March 2023"). Consistency is key; mixing formats could lead to misinterpretation. Also, always include both the month and year. Decode Abbreviations and Acronyms Don't assume that every abbreviation or acronym is universally understood, especially by an ATS. Ensure your resume includes both the long-form and abbreviated versions of keywords to increase discoverability. For instance, go beyond "CPA" and include "Certified Public Accountant" in your resume. Ditch Fancy Graphics for Clarity While visually appealing, fancy graphics can pose challenges for the ATS. Opt for simple headings and bullet points to enhance clarity. Stick to traditional black dot bullet points for better parsing, as non-traditional symbols might not be correctly interpreted. Avoid Headers and Footers Headers and footers might contain additional details or design elements, but they can lead to parsing issues with ATS systems. Maintain one-inch margins on all sides and keep content within the main body of the resume for smoother reading by both humans and machines. Stick to Standard Fonts Resist the temptation to use unique fonts to showcase your creativity; they may disrupt the ATS's parsing. Opt for widely available and commonly used fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Tahoma. While font size can vary, a 10 or 12-point font generally maintains a professional appearance. Embrace Standard Headings Creativity with section headings might seem appealing, but it can confuse both ATS systems and human readers. Stick to standard headings like "Summary," "Skills," "Work Experience," and "Education" for clarity. Choose the Right File Type Certain file formats are more ATS-friendly than others. Avoid image formats, rich text format, HTML files, Microsoft Publisher, and Adobe InDesign. Stick to widely accepted formats like Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF for seamless parsing. Proofread for Perfection Typos and grammatical errors are major turn-offs for hiring managers, potentially hindering your resume's parsing. Utilize tools like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor for error-checking, and seek a fresh pair of eyes for a comprehensive review. Additionally, test your resume's ATS compatibility using online ATS checkers. Customize for Each ATS Not all ATS systems are created equal, each having unique features and algorithms. Tailoring your resume to specific ATS requirements can significantly enhance your chances of success in the application process. Ensure that your dream job isn't slipping away due to avoidable ATS resume formatting mistakes. Take the time to fine-tune your resume and increase its chances of making a lasting impression on both the ATS and hiring managers."

If you've ever embarked on the journey of applying for a job online, you've undoubtedly encountered the mysterious gatekeeper known as the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Often unknown to many applicants, the ATS has silently become a linchpin in the realm of recruitment, reshaping the modern job market in profound ways. What is an ATS? At its core, an ATS is more than just a computerized gatekeeper; it's a sophisticated software program revolutionizing the hiring process. By efficiently collecting and sorting through thousands of resumes, the ATS streamlines the hiring manager's workflow, allowing for quicker candidate screening and progress tracking. How Applicant Tracking Systems Operate The mechanics of an ATS unfold in four pivotal steps: A job requisition enters the system, detailing the position's intricacies. The ATS crafts an ideal candidate profile based on this requisition. As applicants submit their resumes, the ATS scrutinizes, sorts, and ranks them against the established profile. Hiring managers swiftly identify top candidates, initiating them into the next phase of the hiring process. The critical insight here is that resumes often face the scrutiny of keyword searches. Recruiters, armed with specific terms and job titles, navigate through the resume sea. Understanding and strategically incorporating these keywords from the job description can significantly enhance your chances of advancing in the hiring process. Key Features of an ATS Beyond its gatekeeping role, an ATS is a versatile tool loaded with features: Resume parsing :  Extracts essential data from resumes, from contact information to skills. Advanced search :  Empowers recruiters to filter applications with precision using keywords, job titles, skills, and more. Candidate sourcing :  Actively seeks out potential candidates through various channels. In-built CRM software :  Some ATS platforms encompass Customer Relationship Management functionalities. Email templates :  Ensures consistent and professional correspondence with candidates. Advanced analytics and reporting :  Generates comprehensive reports on job seekers and hiring trends. Various integrations :  Connects seamlessly with diverse software applications, enhancing overall efficiency. Accuracy and ATS Software While ATS undeniably streamlines the hiring process, it's not infallible. A revealing study by Harvard Business Review disclosed that 88% of recruiters believed qualified candidates were overlooked due to a rigid adherence to predefined criteria. This underscores the limitations of keyword-centric evaluations, often overshadowing a candidate's broader skills and qualifications. A Dominant Force in Modern Hiring Over 97% of Fortune 500 companies utilize ATS, with large and small organizations alike embracing this technological ally. If you're applying to a substantial corporation or navigating online application platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn, chances are you're interacting with an ATS. Why Employers Choose ATS In an era inundated with job applications, the sheer volume necessitates efficiency. ATS becomes the ally, offering benefits like streamlined communication, accelerated applicant screening, and enhanced overall hiring metrics. These advantages make ATS an indispensable component of contemporary recruitment. Future Prospects of ATS Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just knocking on the recruitment door; it's already a guest at the party. AI-infused ATS systems are evolving rapidly, screening resumes, identifying potential candidates, and even conducting initial interviews. As AI progresses, the integration with social media platforms and the implementation of AI-powered chatbots promise to further revolutionize the recruitment landscape, rendering the process faster and more efficient. Crafting an Optimized Resume The elusive question of beating the ATS has no magic formula. Instead, it requires a meticulously crafted resume that caters to both ATS algorithms and human evaluators. Key optimization tips include: Tailoring your resume to each job description. Aligning keywords with the job description. Utilizing both long-form and acronym versions of keywords. Opting for a chronological or hybrid resume format. Using standard fonts and avoiding complex graphics. Steering clear of headers and footers to prevent parsing errors. Automation tools, such as resume scanners, can be invaluable, providing insights into optimizing your resume for the best results. The future-proofing strategy involves understanding that ATS is a critical player in the hiring game, and mastering its rules can significantly enhance your chances of success. Pro Tips for Successful ATS Interaction Tailor your resume to include relevant keywords from the job description. Stick to standard resume formatting with readable fonts . Submit your resume in universally compatible formats, such as Word or PDF. Avoid special characters and symbols that may confuse ATS. Remember, ATS doesn't reject resumes; people do. As the recruiting landscape continues to evolve, understanding and navigating the intricacies of ATS will remain a crucial skill for job seekers. Stay tuned for our next blog, where we delve deeper into the ever-expanding realm of Applicant Tracking Systems.

Accepting a job offer is a big deal in your career. It's a decision that can shape your life, both personally and professionally. So, it's crucial to think carefully before committing. This is Your Check List Before Accepting an Employment Offer. Job Fit :  Check if the job matches your skills, interests, and career goals. Make sure it's something you'll enjoy and that aligns with your qualifications. Company Culture :  Look at the company's culture and values. See if they match with yours. A positive work environment can make a big difference in your job satisfaction. Compensation Package :  Don't just focus on the salary. Look at the entire compensation package, including benefits, bonuses, stock options, and perks. Make sure it meets your financial needs, and consider the cost of living in the job location. Work-Life Balance :  Think about how the job will affect your work-life balance. Consider if you'll need to work long hours and if the company offers flexible work arrangements. Career Advancement :  Check if there are opportunities for growth within the company. Will you have chances for promotions and skill development? Make sure the job allows you to progress in your career. Location :  Consider the job's location and whether you're okay with relocating. Think about factors like commute, and living conditions, and how it will impact your daily life. Benefits and Perks :  Look closely at the benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. A good benefits package adds value to your overall compensation. Job Security: Check the company's financial stability and industry outlook. Job security is crucial, especially during uncertain economic times. Company Reputation :  Research the company's reputation through online reviews, employee testimonials, and ratings. This can give you insights into its standing in the industry. Company Mission and Values :  Consider if the company's mission and values align with your beliefs. Working for a company that shares your goals can be fulfilling. Colleagues and Team :  Think about the people you'll be working with. Your colleagues and team dynamics can impact your job satisfaction. Training and Development :  Check if the company invests in continuous learning and professional development. A company that supports employee growth is likely to provide a rewarding career. Job Stability: Consider if the job is subject to cyclical demand or seasonal fluctuations. Job stability is important, especially if you have financial responsibilities. Gut Feeling :  Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, explore further. Your intuition can guide you towards the right decision. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Take your time, ask questions, and do your research to ensure that the job offer aligns with your goals and values. Make an informed decision that suits your unique circumstances and aspirations.

My friend has been confiding in me lately about her conflicting feelings toward her job and her boss. She loves what she does but despises her manager's behavior. Hearing her stories makes me cringe, and I struggle to find comforting words in response. It's a challenging situation, but what's the alternative? Quitting abruptly and hoping for better job elsewhere? Research consistently shows that people often leave their jobs because of their bosses, not the companies themselves. While having a boss you dislike is a common reason for job hunting, it's not the only solution. If finding a new job isn't feasible right now, there are ways to cope with the situation of having a great job with a difficult boss. Take a Good Look: Take a close look at yourself, your boss, your team, and the department you're part of, as well as the work you do. This advice isn't new, but it's essential. Have you considered if there's anything you might be doing to contribute to the problem? While you're undoubtedly a great employee, it's worth evaluating if there's anything you could improve or change. For instance, if your boss micromanages you, could it be because you sometimes submit incomplete work? Or if she's not available to answer questions, could it be because she doesn't realize you want more feedback because you've proven to be very reliable? Identify exactly what bothers you about your boss and see if there's anything you can do to address it. If there's nothing you can change, maybe you can adjust how you react to her behavior to avoid escalating situations. For example, if she frequently emails you at odd hours expecting immediate responses, you could gently establish boundaries for your response times instead of replying hastily. Also, if there's anything positive about your boss, no matter how small, make a note of it and refer to it when you feel like quitting on the spot. Does she support flexible working arrangements? Does she give you autonomy on significant projects? While your boss may not be perfect, consider the bigger picture and focus on the positives. Remind Yourself Why You Love Your Job: Despite the challenges with your boss, continue to appreciate the aspects of your job that you enjoy. Make a list of everything you like about your position, no matter how small. Whether it's having unlimited organic milk or working closely with the graphic design team, every positive aspect counts. Once you have your list, continue working and take comfort in the many things you appreciate about your job. Is it worth leaving all that behind because of a difficult boss? While many people choose to leave, unless your boss causes severe anxiety or makes you dread going to work every day, try to focus on the parts of your job that are going well. Avoid showing your boss that they've rattled you. If your boss is as insecure or incompetent as they need to be to make you miserable, don't let them see that they've affected you. Try to stay positive, even if it means gritting your teeth for the time being. If you love your job, it likely means you're doing good work that you're proud of. Focus on maintaining that momentum, and perhaps some of your frustrations will start to fade away. Wait it Out: If you've thoroughly assessed the situation and concluded that you're not at fault and your boss is genuinely awful, trust that others see it too. Truly terrible individuals usually can't fool others for long. If your boss consistently undermines you or takes credit for your work, rest assured that others likely notice her manipulative behavior as well. Even if she receives praise now, someone will eventually recognize what's happening, and she'll be held accountable. One can hope, at least. If it's not just a matter of a difficult personality, but rather your boss's behavior is disrespectful or manipulative, make sure to document everything. You deserve fair treatment and respect for your work, and having evidence of your boss's behavior can be valuable. It might be a hassle, but it's better to have proof than not. However, if the situation doesn't improve over time, or if your boss's behavior worsens, and she gets promoted instead of being reprimanded, you might have to consider moving on. In reality, it might be more productive to start looking for a new job than to try convincing higher-ups or HR that your boss needs to go. If you love your job because of the type of work itself, consider looking for similar positions in other companies. If it's the company culture and your colleagues (excluding your boss) that make you happy, explore opportunities for an internal transfer. Either way, you deserve to work with people who bring out the best in you, so don't let a great job prevent you from finding an even better one with an awesome boss. There's a position out there that will offer you fulfilling responsibilities and a manager you'll love.

When an employer reads your CV, they want to understand about you and how well you can get the work done. If your CV does not include the skills and knowledge that your target employers are looking for, you won't be shortlisted – no matter how well-written and structured your CV is. ​ Recruiters and hiring managers take a maximum of 15-20 seconds to determine your CV's suitability, so it must create an immediate impression explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the job. ​ Below are the top 8 tips to make your CV attract attention ​ Your CV Structure – What must your CV contain Keep your CV to a maximum of 2 pages highlighting Achievements, Key Skills, Work Experience, Education, Training & Certifications, & IT Skills. You may want to consider the use of infographics in your CV. You can also review sample CV formats. ​ Your CV Format It must be professional and simple. You may want to read more about our recommendation on CV Design . ​ CV Font – Keep a simple font – Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, Time Roman are some examples – Avoid “handwriting” fonts. A font size of 10,11,12 is most suitable. Keep the standard font size for all text. Titles and headings can be a couple of larger font sizes. ​ Bullet Points - It is good to be brief and incorporate bullet points or numbering in your job responsibilities. One bullet point per line is perfect (two lines max). Keep 8 to 10 points per responsibility. Highlight keywords specific to your role. Words like "balance sheet" or "financial analysis" for accounting roles and "targets", or "sales figures" for sales roles, etc. – Avoid bunching your responsibilities into a paragraph – it makes it look “too much text”. ​ Spell Checks - Incorrect spellings create a poor impression, hence a CV spell check is mandatory. You do not want to give the impression that you cannot spell or have not taken the time and effort to check your work. Grammar – Use short sentences. This makes it easier for the reader. Do not use jargon or high-end words to show off. If the recruiter does not understand the work or feels you are using too many complicated words, then how would you work with the rest of the team. Solution: Grammarly is a free tool I use to do spell checks and grammar usage. ​ Using the Correct Keywords in Your CV Ensure that your CV contains the most appropriate keywords more like what an SEO keyword search is based on. Remember recruiters and Human resources people are very busy and look for the most suitable candidates in the shortest time. Most of them will use an ATS (Application Tracking System) and use a bunch of keywords that they need to find in the candidate's CV. For example, if I am looking for a sales engineer with a mechanical engineering degree, then I will search ("sales engineer" OR "field sales") AND ("mechanical engineer" OR "mechanical engineering"). OR and AND are called boolean operators used by all to maximize search results. Solution: Words very industry or job-specific to your work will be great to incorporate in your CV. Hence you must create your CV based on what you think recruiters will search for and meeting your areas of expertise. Do not misrepresent or falsify information on your CV. You will lose credibility. ​ Applying for a Suitable Position I review an average of 200 CVs daily. Almost 85% of the applicants do not reflect their qualifications, skills, or experience correctly. This leads the reader to believe that you are blindly applying without understanding the requirement. Of the remaining 15%, 10% are suitable but either has far more experience or very limited to no experience. 5% are suitable candidates to contact. ​ Solution : Do not apply for jobs blindly because you need one. Apply for the most suitable jobs. The more your experience, skills, and education is relevant to the job, the better your chances. Concentrate on similar or same title jobs only - one level up or down is worth a try. ​ Recruiters look at the closest match for their client Most search firms and even recruitment agencies will check that you work with the right type of company in a similar position e.g if you are employed as a Sales Manager with an engineering company and the job you are applying for is a Sales Manager with a Bank, recruiters see a different industry and gauge the learning curve. Your CV would stand much less of a chance of being selected. ​ Solution : Pay attention to the industry and find out more about the company and the role you are applying for. You will understand your chances. Keep applying even if the industry if different. It is not always the deciding factor. ​ Recruiters even look at your social profiles I use Social /Network Media a lot – LinkedIn mostly, just got a lot more into Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I look at people's profiles and link them to our database. What do you post? Who do you know? If I do it, others will too. You must be careful about what you post and what you support. ​ Solution : Keep updating your social media with positive, educative, inspiring posts, learning articles, research work, and recommendations. ​ Internal Candidate Recommendations While scouting candidates for different job roles, employers and recruiters also receive recommendations from colleagues to fill this role. These may be known candidates recommended by team members and when interviewed the job is closed quickly. ​ The position put on Hold This happens a lot when a job has been put on hold or delayed by the client for whatever reason. This could range from a change of mind, recruiting budget issues, a delay in decision-making, or a slowdown in company performance. Solution : If this does happen, call the recruiter directly or email them to check the status of your application. It shows your interest and keeps your name on top of the recruiters' minds.

A lot of the "Mission" and "Vision" of the company depends on the stakeholders. How they chose the team is critical to the working of the company. From the company's business goals to its business processes, policies, work ethics, culture, and talent management, it all depends on the managers and whom they choose to get the job done. ​ Bringing in friends and family members purely because of their relationship with the decision-makers rather than their ability to perform, can be detrimental to the business and to the rest of the team's performance. ​ Hiring Managers and decision-makers realize that and some are careful about whom they hire. Not only do experience, education, and skills count but also personality, logical and analytical reasoning, the ability to get out of sticky situations, and handle work pressure. I remember reading about a highly influential businessman in the 19th century who built an empire in a book by Dale Cargenie - "How to Win Friends and Influence People" in which he shares the example of a CEO who built the largest global corporation now a multibillion-dollar business who had the following words carved on his gravestone. "Here lies a simple man who had the talent of hiring people smarter than him". Pharmaceutical entrepreneur Ewing Marion Kauffman shares " If you hire people you consider smarter than you, you are more likely to listen to their thoughts and ideas, and this is the best way to expand on your capabilities and build the strength of your company.” Guy Kawasaki once said, "Greatness starts with the humility to hire people who are much smarter than you.” Michael Dell says “Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people … or find a different room.” Steve Jobs once said, " It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do ." ​ Hiring smart people can Helps you learn and understand their way of thinking, working, and reacting to situations. Helps you compete with those better than you and in doing so helps you excel and upgrade your own potential Drives the company to achieve better results through smart work. Motivates employees to recognize unbiased personal to employees. Results are rewarded, not relations. Helps you an an uncommon knack of hiring pure talent. Why smart people may not be hired? The hiring managers or team members feel threatened about their jobs. You can lose career and growth opportunities to hard and smart working team members. Downgrade or loss of your own position when a junior member can perform as well as you (if not better) at a lower salary.​ Ego as a big obstacle ​ You must hire smart people who work hard too because the biggest feather in your cap is "you found them". You will prevent limiting the organization to the level of your own ability—and grow the capabilities of your company. You become more likely to listen to their thoughts and ideas, and this is the best way to expand on our own knowledge and build the strength of the company.

In the highly competitive world of job hunting, many job seekers feel disheartened after spending countless hours on applications without receiving any responses. If you find yourself in this situation, it's a good time to reevaluate your approach and identify potential mistakes that might be hindering your success. This guide explores seven common job search mistakes and provides actionable strategies to correct them. Lack of a Strategic Approach to Target Employers: Problem: Submitting applications without a focused strategy. Solution: Identify and focus on ideal employers aligned with your interests and skills. The common best approach would be to connect with companies in the same business as your employer. Generic Nature of Resume and Cover Letter : Problem: Using generic application materials. Solution: Customize/Tailor make your resume and cover letter for each company. Highlight your capacity to solve unique challenges and add a personalized touch that resonates with potential employers. Underutilizing the Prime Real Estate of Your Resume: Problem: Neglecting the top third of your resume. Solution: Optimize this section by presenting personal information succinctly. Focus on relevant details, omitting unnecessary information like street addresses. Consider a professional summary instead of an objective statement. Resume Length Overreach: Problem: Submitting overly lengthy resumes. Solution: Aim for a concise one-page resume or, at most, two pages with highly relevant content. Focus on the most pertinent facets of your experience that directly qualify you for the job. Relying on Others to Infer Your Achievements: Problem: Enumerating tasks rather than highlighting accomplishments. Solution: Shift your focus from tasks to outcomes. Clearly articulate the results you achieved and how they contributed to the organization's success, conveying your value compellingly. Neglecting the Power of LinkedIn: Problem: Ignoring LinkedIn in the digital age. Solution: Create a robust LinkedIn profile featuring achievements, a compelling personal narrative, numerous connections, and work samples. Optimize your profile to enhance your professional image. Social Media Oversights: Problem: Underestimating the impact of social media. Solution: Clean up your social profiles by adjusting privacy settings and removing content that could be perceived as offensive. Remember that your social media presence reflects your professionalism, and employers are cautious about potential risks. To correct these job search mistakes, adopt a strategic and customized approach. Develop a targeted employer strategy, customize your application materials, optimize the top third of your resume, maintain a concise resume length, showcase accomplishments, leverage LinkedIn, and manage your social media presence. Attention to detail and a thoughtful, personalized approach are key to standing out in the competitive job market.

Losing a job can be one of the most challenging experiences in life. Whether it's due to company downsizing, economic downturns, or personal reasons, the sudden loss of employment can leave you feeling vulnerable and uncertain about the future. However, during such times, it's essential to remember that you're not alone. There are people and resources available to help you navigate this difficult period and find your way forward. In this blog post, we'll discuss five individuals you should contact immediately if you've lost your job, each playing a crucial role in providing support, guidance, and opportunities for your next steps. However, before reaching out, it's important to know what you want. Take some time for self-reflection to determine the kind of role you're seeking. Craft a concise message that communicates your needs when contacting people. Now, you might be wondering who to reach out to. Here are five types of people to connect with after a job loss and how they can aid your job search: Former managers who can vouch for your work: Managers who respect your work can provide references and may advocate for you within their company or network. They can also offer mentorship and guidance. Former coworkers who know you professionally or personally: Reconnecting with past coworkers expands your network and allows input from a diverse group. Even casual colleagues can be willing to help. Career Counsellors / Outplacement Service through recruitment agencies in your industry: One of the first individuals you should reach out to after losing your job is a career counselor or coach. These professionals specialize in helping individuals assess their skills, interests, and goals, and develop strategies for finding new employment opportunities. A career counselor can provide valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses, assist with resume and cover letter writing, and offer guidance on networking and job search techniques. Additionally, they can help you explore alternative career paths or further education options if necessary. By working with a career counselor, you can gain clarity and direction in your job search efforts, increasing your chances of finding a fulfilling new role. Former clients or contractors you trust: Clients or contractors from previous projects can serve as references and may have connections in companies or fields you're interested in. Your online network (LinkedIn or social connections): Miscellaneous professional contacts, such as people from conferences or events, can be valuable resources. Posting about your situation online can attract attention, but ensure your profile is up to date. Networking can be intimidating, but if you want to speed up your job search and land a role that excites you, it's a surefire way to make the process smoother. There's no specific order to contact people during your job search. Start with what feels comfortable and gradually take bigger chances. Practice what you plan to say to convey confidence and clarity, making others more willing to help. By reaching out to the right people and resources, you can get the support and guidance you need to navigate this challenging period and move forward with confidence. Whether it's seeking help from a career counselor, leveraging your professional network, addressing financial concerns, prioritizing your mental health, or accessing government employment services, there are avenues available to help you find your next opportunity. Stay resilient, stay proactive, and remember that brighter days are ahead.