Today, I took part in my first hiring process. What I saw nearly saddened me.
As I combed through the first 183 resumés, I found few applicants that had related experience. Actually, I found few resumés that didn’t have typos. The few that had experience made no mention of the results their actions created. The descriptions of their positions held were incomplete sentences that described the most basic tasks they performed. In one cover letter, it seriously said: “I’m still in bed.”
Here’s what I would have loved to see:
- A clear, concise, and energetic introduction. I would love to read something that gave me the impression that you could bring energy and focus to our workplace.
- Authenticity. I could tell which people copied and pasted something from the internet as their cover letter or introduction.
- Authenticity (Part 2). Find another way of saying that you are a hard worker. Own your strengths and know yourself.
- A Value Creation Mindset. I didn’t see a single example today of how anyone’s work improved their employer’s business. Even if you weren’t in a position to really see metrics directly on your performance, change your viewpoint. Sell me on how your actions benefited someone else.
- Communication. Again, be clear and concise. If you are having trouble communicating with me in your own resumé, I’m not optimistic about your communication on a daily “bases” (that was another thing I saw today… I wish I was joking).
- Intent. How are the skills that you have going to fix the issues that I have? Put thought into the cover letter to prove that you want this position and not that you just spammed the apply now button on Indeed.
This was just my first foray into hiring/talent evaluation. If you are a hiring manager, what do you wish you saw more of?