Companies
How to write a resume to get an interview (by Looker’s director of recruiting)
By Jennifer Rettig
Director of Recruiting, Looker
Special to Santa Cruz Tech Beat
October 6, 2016 – Santa Cruz, CA
“Would you mind looking at my resume?”
The dreaded question this recruiter has been asked multiple times a week — at family gatherings, standing at a bar, sideline of my kid’s soccer game, you name it. “Sure,” I respond, ”but your resume is really only one part of the equation.”
Now don’t get me wrong, I know that as a veteran silicon valley tech recruiter, I am inherently considered a resume “expert” and that it makes perfect sense for this request to be made of me. I also want to help my friends, family — anyone really — tell their unique story and stand out in the competitive talent marketplace. I only roll my eyes because it’s about so much more than your resume and it is going to require more time and work than a quick resume review by this recruiter for you to land the interview, and get the job.
At Looker, we are passionate about data. As a recruiter, I want as much data on the candidate as possible — as it pertains to Looker and the open role. Here are my tips to make your resume data-rich and relevant to recruiters and managers inside tech companies across Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley.
How to make your resume data-rich and relevant to recruiters and managers
- Tell your story. Nobody knows you better than you do and the recruiter doesn’t know you at all. You deserve a short paragraph before launching into your work experience. Who are you? What motivates you? What is your objective? Why are you on this path? In short, why you? When recruiters are talking about you to the hiring manager, they are sharing a few bullet-points, make it easy for them to tell your story for you.
- Tailor your resume to the company and the job. Take time and do it every time you apply. Read the company story and job description carefully. Do your homework. If you feel you are truly qualified, match those company values and qualifications to your story — include them in your summary, list of skills/accomplishments, work experience, and education.
- Quantify your performance. How did your company perform, what % of your sales quota did you meet, how big is the team that you manage, what are the goals or metrics assigned to your role that you beat last quarter, your GPA? As appropriate to the role and without breaching any confidentiality, use numbers to make your accomplishments relevant and relatable.
- Update your Linkedin profile, please. Keep it current and with a high quality photograph. Your resume and your profile should feature the same content — but Linkedin really lets you shine with added content like photos, links, and video. Most recruiters are going to look at it in conjunction with your resume and refer back to it throughout your interview process. You can bet that it will be used internally as part of your personal “portfolio” and how you are presented to the Hiring Manager and interviewers.
Want to learn more?
Join us Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at Looker in downtown Santa Cruz for our resume workshop where you will hear from me and my team about what we look for when reviewing resumes, and what will increase the likelihood of getting an interview. Here are the details:
- Interactive Workshop: Writing a Resume to Get an Interview
- Wednesday, October 19, 2016, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
- Looker Data Science, 101 Church Street, Santa Cruz. (Note: Use call box at Church Street door to call up and be let in. Take elevator to 3rd floor.)
- Space is limited. Registration is required. Register here.
- Facilitated by the Looker Data Science Recruiting Team, Jen Rettig and Laura Moritz.
The purpose of a resume is not to get a job, but to get an interview. In this workshop you will hear from Looker Data Science’s Recruiting team and Hiring Managers about what they look for when reviewing resumes, and what will increase the likelihood of getting an interview so you can tell your full story.
This Santa Cruz Works LEARN! event will be useful to anyone who is focusing their job search on the tech industry.
This event is cosponsored by Santa Cruz Works, Looker Data Sciences, and Santa Cruz Tech Beat, and hosted by Looker Data Sciences.
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