It goes without saying that a resume is the single, most useful document any job seeker should have at their disposal. Not just any resume, a good and well-constructed one at that. It might be easy to overlook and downplay the importance of having a solid resume. Most job seekers create and submit resumes just for the sake of complying with their applications. As a result, most people do not fully understand how resumes help them jump-start their careers. Using the appropriate resume format, including just the right amount of details, and writing it in the proper styling will not only make your resume more worthy of attention but also increase your chances of getting hired. In an attempt to better communicate just how critical a well-written resume is, we’re going to talk about it from the perspective of the employer.
Sorting
Primarily, resumes are used to sort through multiple candidates. In a typical job position offer, employers often receive hundreds, if not thousands, of application submissions from different aspirants. In order to effectively go over all these applications, employers look at the submissions themselves. Here, employers often outright reject those submissions with missing requirements, improper formatting, or irrelevant applications. After this, the remaining ones are then organized based on keywords or other determinants and subsequently designated to the appropriate job positions.
Qualifications
After the initial sorting process, resumes are reviewed to check the applicant’s qualifications. At this stage, employers will look at your educational background, your relevant work experience, and your other skills and qualifications. By doing this, employers will have a better grasp of how you will be able to be a person of value to the firm. Moreover, this aspect is where employers often compare you with other applicants to see who among you is the better choice for the company. This is perhaps the most notable purpose of a resume.
Intent
One underlying purpose of a resume is to communicate your intent to the employer. Experienced employers and human resource officers will be able to determine which resumes are written with genuine intent. Some resumes are written with flowery words or with unnecessary complex language, which draws away from the true intent of the applicant. Instead, employers often prefer those who are straightforward and direct to the point.
Instruction
Another inherent purpose of a resume is for employers to check if you are able to follow instructions well. Some companies specify the format of their resume, and so they expect you to be able to submit a document constructed using the specified format. This is one of the simplest ways that employers can check if you can be effective at a designated position. In a corporate environment, instructions will be regularly given and passed on to you. As such, you have to be able to process and follow these instructions effectively if you intend to function well as a component of the workforce.
Communication
Finally, perhaps the most overlooked purpose of a resume is the value of communication. Essentially, resumes are written in order to communicate a specific set of information to employers. Here, employers will assess your efficiency in delivering said information. Basically, you will be assessed on how you are able to maximize both paper space and the number of words in writing the relevant data without compromising the accuracy of information. This is an essential skill that many employers are looking for because communication is naturally critical in a workplace environment. By looking at how you communicate personal data through your resume, employers will have some sort of idea if you are able to work in an office setting.
