Question

A variety of methods are used to process incoming résumés. Some organizations ask for traditional, print-based résumés, while larger organizations may request electronic submissions that they may screen with an applicant tracking system (ATS). To optimize your chances of finding employment, familiarize yourself with both print-based and electronically submitted résumés. You may also decide to prepare a professional e-portfolio, video résumé, or infographic résumé to showcase your work.

1.Consider the scenario, and then answer the question.

Joseph is preparing to apply for a position as a financial advisor at a large multinational bank. The first step in the application process requires Joseph to submit an electronic résumé.

What can Joseph do to increase his chances of ATS selection? Check all that apply.

Group keywords together in a summary.

Concentrate on the skills section.

Focus on adjectives like efficient, reliable, and personable.

Use variations of the job title.

Use terms from the posted job advertisement or job description.

2.What are advantages of a video résumé? Check all that apply.

Video résumés allow you to demonstrate technical skills.

Video résumés allow you to demonstrate public speaking skills.

Video résumés allow you to show your fashion sense.

Video résumés relieve you of having to do an interview.

3. Print-based résumés- use a format that ensures maximum scannability

follow an outline format with headings and bullet points

use shorter lines than scannable and electronic résumés

Answer 1

1. Group keywords together in a summary.

Concentrate on the skills section.

Use terms from the posted job advertisement or job description.

A recruiter cannot go through the whole resume every time while looking for the suitable candidate hence they search for the keywords that can fit in their job requirements and the ATS reflects all candidates with those keywords. Hence putting the right keywords in the summary is important. The skills section is something that the recruiter tracks first to further go through the resume. Putting the right keywords in the skills sections is important. The ATS scans the resume with the terms used in the job advertisement or description hence adding those words in the resume is essential.

2. Video résumés allow you to demonstrate technical skills.

Video résumés allow you to demonstrate public speaking skills.

Technical skills which can be demonstrated through presentations and other visual channels can be easily shown in video resumes. Public speaking is a very important skill in a job which cannot be portrayed in a written resume and can be shown very clearly through a video resume. Fashion sense is not something that can help someone get through a job process and hence video resumes are generally not made for that. They cannot relieve from the interview process but can be considered as a pre-interview step.

3. use a format that ensures maximum scannability

follow an outline format with headings and bullet points

Print based resumes are scanned for identifying and selecting the potential candidates hence they should be formatted such that they can give maximum scalability. Folowing an outline format with headings and bullet points can help in presenting the information in a clear orderly and ready to read form. These resumes should not use shorter lines than scannable and electronic résumés.