Decoding JDs Part 3: Tailoring your resume because employers have problems

You've researched the job, employer and what it pays and you want to just go ahead and apply already.

But before you submit your application, you want to make sure to avoid the mistake so many candidates make, which is submit a single, generic, one-size-fits-all resume to 100 different jobs. I've made that mistake many times myself.

You are more likely to be successful if you create a resume that addresses the unique needs of that employer. The shoe has got to fit- and that means different shoes for different applications. Is it more work? Yes. But the good news is that if you are applying for the same position across several employers, you will not have to rewrite a resume from scratch every single time.

Whether you are tweaking your foundation resume, or creating a brand new one, JDs let us know what information we need to include. The employer will make their unique needs clear in the form of:

- Problems to be solved -Skills needed to solved those problems

Once you figure out these 2 areas, it will be a lot easier to write a resume that will get noticed and open the door to interviews! Below is a summary of what I mean:

Problems

According to the dictionary of occupational titles, every job requires in varying degrees for us to work with people, data and things (PDT). Problems to be solved therefore exist within the realm of these 3 areas. For more information on PDT, check here.

I define "Problems" as simply a call to action in each of these areas. For instance, if we don't help people, enter data correctly, and are clueless at using equipment whether it's a commercial oven or multi line phone to meet goals, then the employer goes out of business.

In your resume, you must describe your experience solving the same or similar problems highlighted in the JD regarding people, data and things:

• People examples: type of customers, other co-workers, management etc.

• Data/information examples: patient charts, lesson plans, applications, software etc.

• Things/ tools examples: machinery, cars, X-ray machines,commercial ovens, food, phones, office equipment etc.

Figuring out you are a pro at solving problems

Below is an exercise you can do to help you answer the employer's question: Do you have direct or related experience in solving my problems?

- Create 3 separate tables or lists, each with 3 columns in an MS word document or on paper. Label the columns: (1) "Job X: People/Data/Things", (2) "Personal Experience Examples" and (3) "Where I worked" See examples below.

- For each column (1), Jot down the P/D/T along with the action required for each. Feel free to paraphrase if descriptions get a bit lengthy.

- For each column (2), Jot down as many examples as you can think of your experience solving these 3 types of problems. Experience can be exact or related. Be specific with past people, data and things you've worked with. That means

• Add numbers to quantify that experience if you can ( # of sales, dollar amounts, # of products processed)

• Describe PDT by type (grades students are in, type of patients, type of paper work etc)

• Provide time frames

• Describe outcomes: what was the result of you performing an action to solve the problem? (increased sales by 80%, student retention increased by 50%, awarded employee of the month for September 2017)

- For each column (3), jot down where you worked, what your job title was, and dates of employment.

Example: Executive Administrative Assistant

Job Description here

I just summarized what work with target people would be involved. JDs can get a bit lengthy but don't be overwhelmed!

Pay attention to required actions with data.

Data belongs to the people mentioned above. if you repeat personal examples from your other lists, that is fine: this is not the final draft of your resume. I used action verbs from the employer's JD without being too wordy.

Don't be worried about repeating information or personal examples across each list. JDs may also repeat P/D/Ts more than once. In this case, mention that area only once with the respective table, but pay attention to if there are different things you will need to do with these areas for example, you have to record patient billing information, in addition to training new hires to do the same with that data.

Don't panic if you can't produce a personal experience example for each PDT scenario you identify. Do your best to accurately reflect your degree of expertise.

Check out my next post where I break down skills into more detail :)