How to write a resume that is selected?

If you are looking to change your job in software testing, the first challenge facing you is to write an effective resume. That is, a resume that would get short-listed. In this post, I will share with you tips that will increase your resume's success rate. I have divided these tips among three sections - Preparation, Execution and Post-Execution.

Preparation

Going by the number and frequency of new job postings on popular job sites, you may have too many choices. However, you should not start chasing all. There isn't enough time to do so. You need to realize that the recruitment activity is a process with the following steps. The next step is taken only if the prior step is successful.

a. Sharing details of the job and the candidate

b. Review of these details

c. Interview

d. Verification and decision-making

e. Joining

Take the time to visualize your ideal job. Use the following questions to clarify your thoughts and be as realistic as you can.

a. What role would you like to play?

b. What kind of organization (small or large, product-based or service-based or hybrid, conservative or modern and so on) would you like to work with?

c. What location(s) would you prefer?

d. What kind of salary you would like to draw?

e. What working conditions (shifts/ hours, organization culture, benefits and working culture) do you prefer?

Once you have a good handle on the kind of job you would like to have, it is time to move to Execution.

Execution

By Execution, I mean the actual task of writing the resume that would be selected. Let us say that you have come to know about a job vacancy that is similar to the job that you are looking (see the Preparation phase above). Now, you should take the following steps:

a. If the job posting is in writing, read it carefully. If you received a call, jot down notes from that call. Note down each keywords in the job posting. Keywords are the essence of the job posting. For example, if you are looking to be a Software Test Engineer, the job post may contain keywords like "Test Plan", "Bug Reports", "QC processes" and so on.

b. The next step is to gather more information about this job. There are several ways to do this.

  1. Browse the organization's website. If you read the relevant sections, you will have a better idea of the work they do and the vocabulary they use. Add more keywords to your existing list.

  2. If you know someone working in the organization, give him or her a call.

  3. Talk to the poster. They may just highlight the main points of the profile they are looking or provide extra information. Let the poster know that you are interested in the job and would be sending them your resume.

c. By now, you should have a very good idea of the job. It is time to go through your list of keywords and ensure that the keywords applicable to you are included in your generic resume. Adding a keyword once may not be sufficient. For example, if "Automated Testing" is a keyword and you have experience in automated testing, you may include it in the following ways:

  1. In the summary section, mention Performed Automated Testing in XYZ project

  2. In the Tools section, include the automated testing tools e.g. QTP, WinRunner that you worked with

  3. In the project responsibilities in XYZ project, mention Created automated test scripts

d. Review the major sections of your resume and ensure that they are structured. The Summary section, the Organization/ Projects section and Qualification sections should be clearly separated. Follow a uniform order within each section e.g. list the organizations you have worked with in reverse chronological order and do the same for your qualifications.

e. Make sure that your resume is current. If should include your latest organization/ projects.

f. Ensure that you have provided all relevant information within each section. For example, if the job posting mentions Bachelor's degree in Engineering as a requirement, you may want to include details like College/ University/Year of Passing/ Grade if you are comfortable and it is legally acceptable to share this information.

g. If your resume does not already mention your achievements (awards/ recommendations/ recognition) during work or college, ensure that it does so now.

h. Review the job posting and your list of keywords again and read your resume. Expand the relevant phrases and sentences. Do not highlight the keywords by making them bold (this looks desperate). Reduce or summarize the non-relevant phrases and sentences.

i. After final review of your resume, you should be ready to send it to the job poster.

Post-Execution

If you get the call to schedule an interview, congratulations. If not, wait for 2 or 3 business days and call the job poster. Maybe they received too many resumes and did not go through your resume (carefully). You should the reasons due to which you are suitable for this job. Use your list of keywords to your advantage. Follow up is very useful in securing an interview if your resume is not selected automatically. If your resume is not selected even after follow-up, it is likely due to some information not shared in the job posting e.g. the organization wanted only candidates experienced in a particular industry domain. Ensure that you ask questions to unearth such information in future.

If you have made the effort to understand the job well, presented your resume in line with the organization's expectations and/or followed-up, chances are high that your resume would get short-listed and you would get a call to schedule an interview. The next challenge is to be selected in the interview. Watch this space for tips on that topic.