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People · March 7, 2024

Crafting the Right Resume: Tips from Our Talent Acquisition Team

People

Careers at Opn

Crafting the Right Resume:  Tips from Our Talent Acquisition Team

By: Kyle, People Operations Manager

Let’s dive into the vibrant epicentre of Opn's Talent Acquisition universe, candidate resumes!

Hello there! My name is Kyle, and I am the Talent Acquisition Manager for Opn. In this role, I have the distinct honour of leading a dynamic team of recruitment professionals dedicated to connecting top talent in the FinTech sector to Opn. My professional background is deeply rooted in human resources, and I am driven by an intense enthusiasm for technological innovation. This unique blend of experience and passion has equipped me with a multifaceted perspective, allowing me to approach technological challenges with a human-centric mindset. My journey with Opn has been truly remarkable, filled with moments of profound impact and innovation. I've been tasked with guiding our recruitment strategies, ensuring that we not only identify and attract individuals with the top technical skill sets but also those who share our vision for innovation and excellence in the FinTech landscape. This involves a nuanced understanding of both our industry's needs and the unique culture we've nurtured at Opn, allowing us to create a team that's not only talented, but a team deeply aligned with our company's goals and values.

Understanding the Purpose of a Good Resume

In the realm of job hunting, a resume is more than just a piece of paper or a digital document. It's a passport to your future career. Its importance cannot be overstated. It's the first point of contact between you and potential employers, offering a snapshot of your skills, experiences, and achievements. A well-crafted resume goes beyond listing your job history and educational achievements. It highlights your journey, showcasing how each role and skill aligns with the position you are aspiring to land.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake candidates make is transforming their resume into an exhaustive catalog of their entire professional history. This approach can clutter your resume with non-essential details, obscuring the vital skills, achievements, and experiences that truly distinguish you as an ideal candidate. It’s crucial to strike a delicate balance between being comprehensive and concise. While it's important to avoid overwhelming your resume with irrelevant information, you must also strategically include key terms that are pertinent to the job and industry. Neglecting to weave in specific role-related terminology can result in your resume being overlooked by both recruiters and hiring teams. The aim is to craft a resume that not only passes through automated screening processes but also resonates with industry professionals who are well-versed in the language and unique demands of the position.

Additional mistakes to watch out for:

  • Ignoring the Format and Design: A poorly structured resume can be just as detrimental as missing key terminology. Recruiters often scan resumes quickly; hence, a clear, professional layout that guides the reader through your career narrative is essential. Using inconsistent fonts, overcomplicated design elements, or a confusing layout can detract from the substance of your achievements.

  • Failing to Quantify Achievements: Many candidates list responsibilities without illustrating the impact of their work. By integrating measurable successes—like improvement percentages, financial milestones achieved, or team sizes managed—you offer tangible proof of your results-oriented approach and significant contributions to previous employers.

What are Recruitment Teams looking for at Opn?

At Opn, we are looking for resumes that tell a story. We want to see a clear narrative that connects your past experiences with the role you are applying for. It's not just about the hard skills; Opn recruiters and hiring teams are equally interested in your ability to adapt, learn, and fit into our dynamic team culture. Opn's recruitment approach is keenly focused on identifying candidates whose achievements demonstrate real-world tangible impacts, advanced problem-solving skills, and a strong capacity for innovation. These qualities deeply align with our values and objectives at Opn.

Resume Writing Structure and Tips

Crafting a resume might seem daunting, but by breaking it down into manageable sections, you can create a compelling narrative of your professional journey by following the tips below:

1. Begin with the essentials:

Ensure your name, contact information, and your professional title (ie. Specialist, Staff, Lead, Manager, Director, etc.) are prominently displayed at the top of your resume. This foundational information should be straightforward and immediately visible, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of your skills and experiences. This will be your opening pitch, enticing recruiters to delve further into your qualifications and professional ambitions.

2. Keep Your Resume Concise:

Aim to condense your professional story to just one page, especially if you are at the beginning of your career. This limitation compels you to carefully choose and prioritize the details that highlight your most notable accomplishments and abilities. By concentrating on the most relevant information, you make it easier for recruiters to immediately understand your key contributions and prospective value.

3. Highlight Relevant Skills and Experiences:

When highlighting your skills and experiences, it's imperative to tailor this section to match the specific role you're seeking. Carefully analyze the job description and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases into your resume to demonstrate your alignment with the role's requirements. This strategic approach is best suited for non-entry-level professionals. It not only showcases your suitability but also illustrates your attentiveness to the job's specific demands, significantly increasing your chances of catching the attention of hiring managers.

When detailing your key skills and achievements, employing bullet points can significantly enhance their visibility and impact. Be precise in describing your accomplishments, focusing on specific outcomes and the ways they contributed to the success of your previous employers. This method not only clarifies your individual contributions but also provides potential employers with concrete examples of how you can bring value to their organization, highlighting your ability to drive positive results.

4. Emphasize Through Action Words:

Kick your resume up a notch by peppering it with dynamic action verbs such as "achieved," "implemented," "led," and "developed." These terms not only paint a picture of your proactive nature but also underscore your successes compellingly. Steer clear of overused phrases and clichés that fail to contribute meaningful insights into your professional prowess.

5. Maintaining Resume Integrity:

Ensure your resume is always updated and accurate, reflecting your most recent skills and accomplishments with precision. It's crucial to portray an honest and clear picture of your abilities, avoiding any temptation to embellish or overstate your qualifications. An embellished resume may lead to an interview for a position that exceeds your actual capabilities, resulting in an uncomfortable situation where both your time and that of the recruitment team are wasted. Accurate details are key to presenting yourself as a reliable and capable candidate, aligning expectations with reality and setting the stage for successful job opportunities.

6. Meticulous Review and Refinement:

The devil is in the details, and nowhere is this truer than in the crafting of your resume. Grammatical slip-ups or spelling errors can cast a shadow on your candidacy. Rigorously review your document multiple times, and don't hesitate to enlist a second pair of eyes—be it a friend or a professional editor. This step ensures that your resume reflects your utmost attention to detail, a quality highly prized by employers.

7. Strategically Curated Additional Information:

Tailor your resume further by incorporating sections that speak directly to your industry and professional journey. This could range from certifications and professional memberships to volunteer engagements and pertinent coursework. Choose these additions carefully, aiming to enrich your narrative and demonstrate the breadth of your experience and commitment to your field.

Closing Thoughts

The importance of a good resume cannot be overstated—it's your first step toward securing a role that could shape your career and your life. Remember, a resume is more than a list. It's a narrative that connects your past achievements with future aspirations. By keeping it concise, tailored, and focused on what makes you unique, you'll capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers alike.

As you embark on your job search, keep these tips in mind, and don't hesitate to apply for positions that excite you, even if you feel you don't meet every single criterion. At Opn, we're always on the lookout for talents. Who knows? The next application we review could be yours. Here's to your success, and maybe we will welcome you to the Opn team soon.

Visit Opn’s Career Page: HERE “Your Future Career is Waiting”


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