How to Tell Employers What They Want To Hear

How to Tell Employers What They Want To Hear
02nd December 2007
Author: Anna Maria D'Souza


The most important thing that an employer wants to know is how you can contribute and bring value to their business. This is a universal rule, regardless of what you do, and where you are.

I am a headhunter recruiting senior investment bankers. My clients are among the most demanding people in the world. My candidates are among the highest income group in the market. The fees I charge are of course very expensive. To justify this, I need to re-write resumes in a way to tell employers what they want to hear.

It will make no sense to the hiring manager if you write these:

Leading, motivating and evaluating team members
Forward analytical thinking
Strong networking and negotiation skills

Though these phrases are pleasing to the eyes, they won’t gain you interviews or job offers. You need to support with facts, of how your analytical thinking or negotiation skills had contributed to your work or the company you work for.

When writing your resume, write things that hiring managers wants to know. You have to make it as precise and specific as possible. A couple of strategies here.

Strategy One – Play With Numbers
Numbers are straight forward, easy to understand and no tricks. Play around with measurable figures.
Not specific: Involved in an award-winning TMT research team.
Specific: Key member of a TMT Research Team ranked number one by Euromoney in 2007 (third in 2006).

Strategy Two - Analyze What The Hiring Manager Wants To Hear
Results. Hiring managers want to know how you can add value to their business. Here’s how a Credit Marketing Manager/Corporate Dealer described his job.

Mr. Headhunter initiated, developed and managed a US$47 million portfolio of corporate clients. He increased loam volume by 18% and contributed to achieving 23% and 40% growth in branch non-funds and foreign exchange income respectively.

Prepare Your Answers
Different employers have different expectations, depending on the industry you are in. Always analyze the position you are applying for and make a list of what the hiring manager wants to hear from you. Prepare your answers and include them in your resume. Never put up 20 bullet points listing all your daily duties. Employers care about ‘results’ more than ‘process’.

Resume, Cover Letter & Interview – All In A Row
Whether you are doing your resume writing, cover letter writing or preparing for an interview, always keep this in mind – what does the hiring manager wants to know from me? Arrange some informational interviews would help a lot.

Investment Banking Resumes Blog
My blog is tailored for students who want to start an investment banking career. However tips on resume writing and cover letter are quite universal. Enjoy reading.

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Source: http://www.a1articles.com/article_259662_36.html

Occupation: headhunter
Anna Maria D’Souza is a headhunter. In the past eight years, she has been recruiting senior investment bankers for bulge brackets. Read her blog of Investment Banking Resumes which she aims to help college graduates to build an investment banking career.
http://ibankingresumes.blogspot.com