Is the Resume on Paper Dead?

A lot of executives are getting more and more uncomfortable as stream of Generation Y professionals continue to populate Singapore’s corporate landscape. Senior leaders sometimes feel that they are on the losing end, without knowledge of what seems to be basic today – technology talk and more tech-driven ways.

One of the things that tech is said to be taking its effect upon is the resume, the one weapon that jobseekers use to attract an employer. If you  just got back on theexecutive jobs search train, you might be confused as to what you should do about it. The fact of the matter is that technology has had a lot of effect on the resume, not only on how it is sent and received, but also on how it is presented.

Why? Because resumes are now sent online. Although we’re not saying that a paperless office is what a typical Singapore company is today, we’re also not dismissing the fact that communications are now primarily through the Internet. Your resume should be effective when mailed in, and it should be effective when e-mailed in. Here are a few tips that can help you get picked from the thousands of other resumes that employers receive:

• Know who you’re applying for. Check out your prospective employer’s website so that you will get a better grasp of their company culture. View their About Us page and read their mission and vision, taking not of words that describe what it’s like to work in their company. For instance, if they emphasize on the youth and energy of their company, highlight achievements that are related to accomplishing work that involves teamwork and group dynamics. So even though you’re applying for two accountant jobs, you might get a better shot at both if you submit two different customized resumes.
• Use their words. Forget about thinking of super creative words to sell yourself to the employer. As much as possible, mimic the words that are used in the job description of the position you are applying for. It can be as simple as including the word “published” if you are aiming to get a job as an editor in a magazine.

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