Increase your chance of getting an interview

On any given day, hundreds if not thousands of resumes flood the talent management banks at big companies such as Boeing, Ford, and Amazon. Sometimes, the inundated resume pools are so large, softwares are used to filter high potential candidates from the weeds. So, not only are you fighting against the throng of others seeking employment, but you are also battling against the machine. 

This article is not aimed at providing you a foolproof solution that will guarantee an interview. If anyone tells you he has such a solution, run away; it’s a lie. In fact, I won’t even guarantee you’ll make it to the interview room at all. The marketplace is extremely competitive after all. What this article aims to do is arm you with the mindset that will increase your chance of getting your resume reviewed by a person and subsequently a shot at an interview. 

Gone are the days when you can create a single resume and submit it everywhere. Anyone can plop down a bunch of big keywords like “team-oriented,” “highly adaptable,” and “results driven.” Those words don’t mean anything unless they address the need. And guess what? Figuring out the need and formulating your resume to address it are kin to taking an open book exam - it’s right in front of you. 

1. Read the job requisition word for word

I haven’t had a lot of opportunities in the hiring process except for a few projects where I had to select from an internal pool of candidates. The requisitions I wrote are very specific and provide key details on how you should respond; the main point here being, “How are YOU going to fulfill my needs?” Ultimately, I am putting you on my team so you can do the job required. I’m picky because my performance management and therefore my career depend on YOU doing your job. We’re all selfish like that. I hardly know anyone who hires someone just to be nice. So, read the job requisition throughly. 

2. Tailor your resume to address the need

Yes, you need to create a resume for each job you’re applying to. You will have a hundred versions, and you should keep each one. You’re going to want to review it again when you get the call for an interview. 

When tailoring your resume, look for the perceived needs and rank them. How can you tell which one outranks the other? Specifics. The more a specific the ask, the higher the priority. The example below is an excerpt for a Systems Engineer position at Boeing Defense UK Limited (Job ID 1700000408). Look at item 2, these are specific knowledge areas that are needed for the job. You should address them in your resume, even if you do not have the skills currently. The last item states that the candidate should know how to tailor and apply “engineering initiatives, best practices and processes.” Who doesn’t do that? 

Also, don’t be afraid of words you don’t understand. Look them up and simplify them to simple tasks; chances are, you’re already doing what is being asked. For example, “Interface Management” sounds super official and scary, but all it means is “do you know how to manage a bunch of interconnecting pieces at the points where they meet?” Jane needs to talk to John because Jane provides data for John. Without this data, John doesn’t know how to dance. Problem is, Jane speaks Spanish and John speaks German. Well, maybe there should be an interpreter or perhaps they can use sign language or John can simply copy Jane’s dance moves. Now imagine a bunch of Jane and John situations. Can you manage that? Spreadsheets to the rescue! It’s a little bit more complex than that… but you get my point.

So how exactly should you tailor your resume to address these 2 items? And where should they be addressed? A lot of people throw these keywords in a “Skills” or “Summary of Qualifications” section. I personally like to see them addressed in your work experience. How did you apply these skills and knowledge in an actual project? Here’s how I would address items 2 and 6 (if I were a college student without extensive work experience): 

Project Lead, Drone Development Project, University of Chardonnay, 2017-2018

Led team of 6 college students to develop a fully functional, tested, and successfully deployed drone for package delivery:

1. Led concept generation and architecture design with team and professor workshop
2. Delegated task for defining requirements and co-led team with defining the required functions and interfaces between systems (structures, propulsion, navigation system, software)
3. Held reviews with stakeholders to validate requirements set
4. Led team in modeling and simulating drone behavior
5. Performed trade study to select the preferred solution that meets requirements from potential candidates
6. Led the manufacturing of drone and verified that the product meets requirements with lab and field tests
7. Successfully transitioned the drone to operation with package delivery test and won Drone Meet & Greet competition at the University of Merlot
8. Documented results and lessons learned as best practices and processes for future school projects

Doesn’t that look better than a bunch of keywords next to each other with no context and application? Though, you could still have a line with these key skills but now you’ll have substantiated your claims with actual experience. 

3. Always keep in mind why the hiring manager is hiring

She needs you to perform because her performance and career depend on how well you do under her management. Your resume should allay all her fears by showing that you can do the job. The rest of the other stuff like being a team player, having excellent intercommunication skills, and etc can be showcased at your interview. 

Good luck.