Twenty seconds doesn’t sound like a long time, but that’s about as long as it takes a recruiter to review your work experience. Years of work often boil down to a roughly 20-second review. That’s why it is so important that your resume capture the reader’s interest quickly.
The best way to grab attention is to keep your message clear and concise. Tell the potential employer what you can do for them and back it up with past results.
Recruiters and hiring decision-makers don’t have the time to read hundreds of resumes line-by-line, so to get your resume read, you need to establish the value to the employer right away.
Several months ago, a manager described a resume that helped changed his mind about a job candidate. The deciding factor came from the way the candidate presented his unique abilities in a summary that helped him stand out. The way he presented his distinctive message made him memorable, which led to an interview.
The key to establishing value in 20 seconds is to identify skills and characteristics that help you stand out. If you see yourself as a “charismatic leader who is a consensus-builder” then say so, and include results to back up your claim.
How about using an objective statement to get your point across?
First, let’s define the objective statement. An objective statement is a statement about your goals. While good employers are interested in job candidates with goals, their main reason for hiring you is what you can bring to them and how you can help them reach their goals.
An objective statement without a purpose can be worse than not having one at all.
A good example of an objective statement with no real purpose is the one that indicates your “desire to work for a growing company where you can develop your skills.”
This type of objective statement is a red flag that gives the impression you have put minimum effort into connecting with the employer’s needs.
Using an objective statement can be a very effective way to communicate your skills, if you carefully – in one or two sentences – describe what you can offer an employer. Use your first 20 seconds to turn your resume into an interview.
