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Your resume or CV: Understanding your
Strengths & Weaknesses
When you are applying for a new position in Perth it is important to understand your strengths and weaknesses
and how they relate to the role you are applying for. A strength means that you can do something and do it well.
A weakness is simply an opportunity for further development.
Your Resume or CV and cover letter (job application) is your chance to prove you are the best person for that perfect Perth job
Perth employers have a lot of people to choose from in the candidate pool. Your Resume and cover letter is your personal marketing tool. Do these important documents portray you in the best possible way or does your Resume or CV need some work?
Are you the best person for that perfect Perth job?
You have a few seconds to prove on paper (Resume or CV and cover letter or e-note) that you are the best person for the job. If you can't prove it on paper, you won't be asked to attend an interview.
When you are getting ready to enter or re-enter the workforce in Perth, it is important to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Strengths mean that you can do something and do it well. A weakness is simply an opportunity for further development. A quick look at the position descriptions (selection criteria) of every Perth job advertisement will indicate whether or not you already have the skills and abilities needed to undertake the advertised role, or whether you need to work on a few areas first.
Now before you update your Resume or CV, create the cover letter and fill in the application form, it is interesting to note, that only those people who can demonstrate a sound understanding of all the essential selection criteria will stand a chance of being asked to attend an interview.
This is not meant to dishearten you before you start building your CV or Resume, rather to give you an employer’s eye view of the selection process. They will have a lot of Resumes and cover letters to wade through, so you have a few seconds to prove that you are worthy of a longer and second look. Only professionaly presented Resumes and cover letters will stand a chance to get through this tough Western Australian job market.
Resumes or CVs and the employer's perspective
A Perth employer is looking for someone who fits with their idea of a “perfect candidate”. Someone who already has the right mix of skills, knowledge and ability. They may also have the right software knowledge and years of experience in the same or related field.
"Case in point, I was speaking to a recruiter today who needed someone with both software product B2B knowledge, and was also an expert digital marketer. We both agreed, there are not many people in the Perth market with both skill sets. So the question remained, would the hiring organisation go for someone with good software B2B product knowledge, or someone who was an expert in digital marketing and could learn the product?"
The reason this is important is because it means they don't have to spend considerable amounts of money providing their new employee with extensive on the job training. Whilst every organisation is different, and some site specific information and training will be offered, the less training a person needs, the faster the person can integrate with the business and their return on investment (ROI) can be realised.
If all this sounds a little cold and calculating, you should remember that it is a very expensive business to recruit a new person. Take for example the cost of the salaries of the people reading the Resumes and cover letters in the first place, the time taken to short list candidates, the time spent coordinating interviews, medical examinations and reference checks. Plus the time spent actually interviewing their prospective candidate(s) and you will have some idea why it is important to not only get it right the first time, but to match as closely as possible the right candidate with the right mix of skills and abilities with the job that is on offer.
Resumes or CVs and attention to detail
Imagine then how frustrating it is for a prospective employer to receive an application that is not complete, has not answered the questions laid out in the selection criteria, and failed to make their Resume or CV specific to the job they are applying for. And believe me, this is not as uncommon as you may think.
When was the last time you applied for a job? How long did you spend checking the secific job requirements? Did you meet them? Or did you rush your answers in your Resume or CV and cover letter and forget to include everything that you were supposed to?
Do you remember reading that question about “Attention to detail”? What about the question regarding “Good written and verbal communication skills?”
Did you know that most prospective Perth employers take your Resume and cover letter to be an indication of the answers to both questions? Well they do.
The key to submitting a good job application in Perth is the preparation of your Resume or CV and cover letter
You cannot submit a generic job application (the same Resume or CV and cover letter) for any Perth job, you must make sure you address the selection criteria for each role. The job title might be the same, but the selection criteria may be very different, so do not fall into the trap of sending in the same Resume for each job you are applying for. Customising the Resume and cover letter / e-note is they key.
Once you have the job description and a copy of your Resume / CV you will need to read them thoroughly. Highlight any keywords and key phrases that appear in the application package. These can be found in the selection criteria as well as dotted throughout the application package. You will need to ensure that these key words and phrases are used in your answers as well as noted in your Resume or CV.
Do these keywords appear in your Resume or CV? How can you add them? These are the "strengths" an employer is looking for in their ideal candidate. What is missing from your Resume or CV? These are the weaknesses. Can you use other examples - for instance, voluntary work, study or sports? You may not fit the criteria exactly - but you can usually find a way of addressing these within your Resume and application even if you have to think creatively.
Once you have adjusted your Resume or CV to include the employers selection criteria, you must also use these phrases in your cover letter. Use this to again highlight how you meet the selection criteria and why you would be a good fit for the position.
This process can also be used to get your perfect job even if you don't meet all the current "essential" selection criteria. While a significant proportion of these will be transferrable skills, some will be job specific. These job specific criteria highlight what kind of training or professional development you would need to undertake. Once you understand this process you can methodically work out how to achieve these training requirements. Can they be achieved with your next role (a stepping stone role) or does it need to be formal education or training? As always, this is something to think about. You can turn weaknesses into strengths with time, planning and training.
Don't forget to update your Resume or CV and LinkedIn profile as you gain new skills and qualifications / training.
Simply order a gig (pricing button below) and within 24 hours I will contact you by email or phone. We will work together to hone your CV or Resume until you are 100% satisfied. You can then opt for extra services if you need them.
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