30 Second Resume & Cover Letter Test – How to Ace Your Pre-Screen

It’s important to get your point across quickly, particularly since many employers receive hundreds of applications for a single position opening. As harsh as it might sound, you may be passed over even if you meet all of the qualifications for a position-your skills and experience may not seem “relevant enough” for the job. A quick tip on how to look relevant: prepare your materials with your potential employer in mind. Try these tips to increase your relevance factor!

Resume

Print out your resume, fold it in half, and then open it back up. Think of the position you seek, and ask yourself the following question:

Am I providing a short summary of my most relevant skills and experience above the fold?

If not, consider reorganizing your resume as this will be equivalent to what your prospective employer sees on-screen.

Cover Letter

Review your material from the perspective of your potential employer. Imagine that the employer, has seven jobs to fill, and has just implemented a new advertising campaign to post positions. (This is a common scenario.)

- Does your letter include information on where you found the company?

- Do you state which position(s) you are interested in and how your experience fits the position requirements?

- Is it easy to tell why you are interested in the company?

- Does your letter make it easy to see your knowledge of the work that the company does?

Design your materials with the answers to these questions in mind-and watch your “relevance factor” increase with potential employers!

By: Chandlee Bryan

About the Author:

E. Chandlee Bryan, M.Ed., is a certified professional resume writer and career counselor at Careers in Context. Chandlee offers private clients “Ivy League experience” combined with the resourcefulness of a New Englander and the warmth of a Southerner. A South Carolina native, Chandlee worked as a career counselor at the University of Pennsylvania and later served as Director of Career Services at Dartmouth College’s engineering school. She has also worked as a recruiter, and serves as a consultant to organizations on recruiting and training millennials.

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