The Hidden Step
STEP FOUR
the
key
to a resume that works
Build Your Resume
The frst applicant lives in California and sends his resume
below to three different managers who screen his resume.
While screening it (within seven seconds), their eye hits
certain words on the resume, instantaneously producing an
image of this applicant.
Tell me, if you were the hiring manager, when you screen
this resume, what image about this applicant come to mind?
You may look at the resume below and, within seven sec-
onds, locate the following words on the resume:
Computer Programs, Las Vegas, Casino Cage
What image of this applicant do you get when assessing these
words?
The frst applicant
This is an actual resume. The applicant was applying for the position of Customer Service Management
The frst
hiring manager
The applicant is a computer
guy, used to live in Las Vegas, and is now
living in California. He also has a background
working in a casino cage. Does
not seem to match customer service
management.
The frst hiring manager screening this resume
may arrive at the conclusion that this applicant
has skills with computers, at some point lived in
Las Vegas, is now looking to move to
California (“rootlessness” is considered a risk by
employers), and worked in a casino cage.
Consequently this applicant may be regarded
as a non-match.