How to Ensure that your Resume is Read?

Even the most qualified candidates with the strongest qualifications sometimes get bypassed by recruiters when they are looking to fill an open position. How do I ensure that my resume is read?

An ‘impactful Cover Note’ can help you achieve that objective. First, let me tell you How NOT TO DO it

You don’t have to tell the whole story in a Cover Note. It has to be short and crisp but focuses briefly on that part of your background which helps in solving the employer’s problem. The objective of a good cover note is to ensure that your Resume is read and nothing else.

Here are tips to write an effective Cover Note which guarantees that your Resume is read:

1] Brief profile:- Introduce yourself by mentioning areas of domain expertise so that it spells out in the beginning itself what your core area of strength is along with the industry/s experience.

For example " I am a Media sales professional with an overall experience of 16 years in the Corporate category across Print, TV and Radio with reputed organizations X, Y and Z. Well networked with established relationships in the Delhi market."

2] Challenges:- Spell out the kind of challenges that you have handled successfully. Employers like to meet candidates who think out of the box. It could be any challenge that you handled ( think about it and you will come up with few).

For example " I have successfully converted non-advertisers in Print and attracted them on board which has helped me overachieve my targets"

3] Research the need:- Do a lot of homework on the problem/s ( pain points) that the prospective employer is facing. For example, assume you are being interviewed for a Regional Media Sales role. And your research gathering throws up information that the Group does not get Ads for three categories vs the competition though their reach and other parameters qualify them to be in the Ad.campaign ( pain point). And if you have proven ability to crack those advertisers and Ad Agencies specifically from those three categories, mention that as a point in your Cover Note.

You may mention......" I understand that there is a need for ABC organization to grow the categories in the XYZ region ( addressing the pain point). I have been a top performer for the Ad.categories like Auto, Telecom, Textiles and FMCG wherein I grew the market share from X % to Y % in one year’s time and overachieved my target.

4] Luring the Employer:- Finally, tempt the interviewer to meet you by mentioning something like " There are certain key strategies which I have used to achieve my goal and they have been appreciated by both, my seniors and my clients. My achievements are mentioned in my Resume ( tempting the reader to open your Resume) and I would be happy to personally share the strategies which are applicable to your organization as well and can help improve performance. Look forward to meeting you to discuss further.

Follow these and before you know, your Resume would be read and well, you could be sitting in the interview room.

Analysing general Industry and employment trends in India.