Buzz Words
It seems that the term “buzz” is used a lot lately and the word is thrown around as it relates to a new fad, celebrity, or movie.
But the ‘buzz” is used in a lot of other ways.
A Recruiter posts a job advertisement on one of the popular employment sites or on their organization’s web site. For this example, you let’s assume the Recruiter posted a job for a Purchasing Manager on www.Monster.com, a large site where recruiters and Hiring Managers post jobs.
The job posting will read something like this:
Manufacturing company seeks an experienced Purchasing Manager.
Job functions include: Oversee all Purchasing functions which include: stock and wholesale buying, customer product research, inventory, margin, and back order management, vendor negotiation, customer quote preparation, database and contract maintenance, and the effective and efficient maintenance of solid relationships with vendors and customers. Experience purchasing computer-related parts a must. Will manage a staff of four Assistant Purchasing Managers.
A Recruiter would expect to get resumes that have the words Purchasing Manager on the resume, as well as words like: oversee/manage purchasing functions, database and contract maintenance, quote presentation, and, basically, words that match or are similar to what was on the job posting.
Although it makes sense, it doesn’t always happen that way. Resumes arrive via e-mail, employee referrals, the company website, and via websites like Monster.com. I find it easiest to check my e-mail first. After all, I am sitting at my desk, my computer is right there in front of me, and I don’t have to move. This is called inertia, which is another topic entirely. I notice that I have several resumes that have the words Purchasing Manager opportunity in the Subject line. The first e-mail response may have two attachments; A cover letter and a resume, customized to the job the candidate is applying for; in this case it would be the Purchasing Manager opportunity.
Here’s what may arrive:
Dear Hiring Manager or Recruiter Name
I am interested in the Purchasing Manager position with your organization. As an Accounting Manager, I have extensive experience dealing with internal clients and have managed a staff of two. My experience includes financial services and retail organizations. I was a Purchasing Assistant with Coca-Cola and feel . . .
STOP.
What’s wrong with this picture? A competent recruiter or Hiring Manager will not even look at the resume. Does this person have some generic qualifications? Yes. Are they a fit? Not really. What people try to do is customize their backgrounds in such a way that they take a few components of their backgrounds and try to match those qualifications to the job description.
Another common mistake is the generic cover letter. As mentioned, you must customize your cover letter to fit the specific job. Not all Purchasing Manager openings have the same qualifications.
Using a generic cover letter is a huge mistake and will not make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Again, we’ll use the Purchasing Manager example.
Here’s another cover letter commonly received:
Dear Recruiter or Hiring Manager’s Name:
I am interested in working for your company and my qualifications as a Purchasing Manager are:
• Purchasing
• Management
• Vendor negotiations
All Purchasing Managers do this. As it turned out, this person worked as a Purchasing Manager for a large food chain and had absolutely no experience purchasing computer related parts.
Consider a third letter.
Dear Recruiter or Hiring Manager’s Name:
I am very interested in the Purchasing Manager opening currently available within your company. Having spent five years as a Purchasing Manager for USA Computers, I feel my background would be an excellent fit.
My skills include:
• Extensive experience purchasing computer related parts such as widgets, doo dads (you get the idea)
• Managed a staff of six Purchasing Coordinators and Assistants.
• Extensive knowledge of contract negotiations and databases such as Oracle.
I would welcome the chance to speak with you further.
Please feel free to call me at 555-555-4321 if you have any questions.
Look at the three responses. Which candidate do you think got called for an interview? The third candidate, of course. Why? He customized his cover letter to fit the job. Does it take a little extra work? Yes? Do you need to carefully read the job description? Absolutely. Will you have a better chance of getting that telephone interview which can ultimately lead to an in-person interview? Yes.
Another important tip is to use bullets to further define your skills and make them stand out. The bullets should match the “buzz” words on the job posting or ad.
Recruiter’s Insider Tips:
Customize each cover letter to the job you are interested in. Use the same “buzz” words that are used in the job posting or ad.
Always spell check your cover and resume letter before sending them out.
Be sure to proof your letter. Typographical errors stand out like a sore thumb.
Spell check does not always identify every error. Have a colleague or someone you trust read your resume and cover letter. Sometimes, another set of eyes can uncover errors that both you and spell check missed.
Use bullets to further define your skills and make them stand out. The bullets should match the “buzz” words on the job posting or ad.
