*

Log In
Create Account

Article:

Don't Assume Too Much When It Comes to Your Job Search

Take Nothing for Granted When Applying for Jobs

Make Yourself Relevant

Don’t list something you did and hope the reader draws a conclusion about your skills. Consider this bullet point:

Developed assessment tools and designed new framework and documentation.

Does the current employer need you to design assessment tools? Does "design new framework" appear in the job description? If not, this job seeker is forgetting to make her skills and experience relevant for the audience because she is not specifying exactly the skills and accomplishments she offers the employer. A better bullet point (targeting the job description) may read:

Used detailed knowledge of security architecture and auditing to analyze options; collaborated with stakeholders to develop assessment tools and designed new frameworks and documentation, resulting in saving organization $X.

In this example, the job seeker targets topics covered in the job description (security architecture, auditing tools, and ability to collaborate) to describe her experience. Note she incorporates a result– demonstrating her impact on the organization.

 

  • Miriam Salpeter

    Miriam Salpeter, author of Social Networking for Career Success (Learning Express, 2011) and 100 Conversations for Career Success (Learning Express, Fall, 2012), owns her own job search and social media coaching firm, Keppie Careers. Miriam … Read more...