Are You Being Interview Blocked By Your Resume?

Job searching isn't great fun for most people to begin with but top it with the frustration of not even getting the opportunity to interview...oy veh! We speak with job applicants often that are at their wits' end and truly don't know why they aren't getting an interview. Assuming they have the necessary experience for the position, 95% of the time, it's their resume...it's putrid!

In our line of work, we receive so many resumes and it's truly mind blowing how absolutely lazy and sloppy people have grown comfortable with being. I've found myself at times begrudgingly compromising my standards and giving the applicant the benefit of the doubt, however, fact is that I disqualify applicants based on their resume way more often than giving them the benefit of the doubt.

There are a few things that I and most people that review resumes loathe when reviewing resumes, so I figured I'd share with you in hopes that you reevaluate your resume, clean it up, and get that interview you desire!

KEEP IT SIMPLE - Enough with the filibustering! Our company, The Restaurant Talent Group, obviously specializes in the Restaurant Industry and when we receive resumes that are clearly filled with nonsense, a list of ridiculous responsibilities, or six pages long...it almost certainly makes the trash bin. Keep it simple. List the main things you did/do on a daily basis, hard numbers you've reached, and a few successes you achieved. The point is to pique the interest of the reader enough to make them want to meet you, not to give them the whole story from the jump.

SPELL CHECK - It's more common to receive a resume littered with error than receiving a resume that is without error. This is not position specific...I'm talking about CEO's, COO's, Servers... This is not an issue based on education level, it's an issue based on laziness and a lack of accountability. We all make mistakes while composing letters and whatnot but your resume is or should be a max of three pages and is the introduction of you before you get to represent yourself in person...can you not make damn certain that every word is spelled correctly and that you've used grammatically correct punctuation? Ask a friend or family member to look it over and get a second set of eyes on your resume. Should this disqualify somebody? I don't know the answer to that but I know the truth and that is absolutely it disqualifies people!

It isn't your Autobiography - Your resume should read as a highlight reel, not an autobiography with way too much information. The person reading your resume should want to meet you to learn more not feel like they already know you inside and out. Simplifying is the smartest and most effective thing you can do. Nobody wants you to list everything you ever did with every company you've worked for. List the highlights (the things that shine light on you).

Double check your dates - You aren't the General Manager at three restaurants presently, but your resume says present next to your first three listed positions. This is such a sloppy representation of you and so easily rectified. Be proactive and make sure your resume on every platform is updated. It takes just a few minutes but really makes a difference...in fact, it may be the difference between getting an interview or not. If you have gaps in working times, simply give a brief reason. Make sure the dates flow from the beginning of your stated employment until present day.

Resumes are not one size fits all - When I receive a resume that opens with, "I am searching for an office position (or anything other than the restaurant industry..." it's an automatic next! Are they a good restaurant candidate? No clue because they told me from the jump that if they get hired with my client to work in their restaurant, they will leave for an office position ASAP. Is that a fact? Again, I don't know but I know that I'm unwilling to risk my client's time and money on them. Customize your resume. Make absolute certain that the person reading your resume knows that you desire to work in the field you are applying for.

Those are all super simple resume fixes that will undoubtedly up your chances of getting at least an interview. Keep in mind, your resume is representing you, make certain it is showing you with your best foot forward!

Happy Job Hunting!

#jobseekers #resumeadvice #jobsearch #resumewriting #unemployed #hiring

The Restaurant Talent Group is always adding outstanding Restaurant Brands to partner with as well as accepting resumes from all experience levels of Restaurant Leadership (must currently live in the USA). Checkout our website for a few of our current position openings. https://therestauranttalentgroup.com/

Thank you,

Debbie Dickerson