The Often-Overlooked Detail That Can Fast Track Your Next Interview

In the craft of resume writing, where every word counts, it’s astonishing how a seemingly obvious detail can be frequently overlooked. Yet, according to LinkedIn Expert Russell Ayles, many job seekers are bypassing a crucial piece of information that could significantly impact their job application’s success. 

What is this critical element, you ask? It’s providing a clear explanation of what your previous companies do.

The Missing Piece is Context

Ayles emphasizes the importance of context in a resume. As job seekers, you meticulously detail your roles, achievements, and the timelines associated with them. However, without an explanation of the company’s operations, you’re leaving recruiters to guess the relevance of your experience to the position you’re applying for.

Recruiters, swamped with hundreds of applications, often lack the time (and will) to research every company mentioned in a resume. This omission makes it challenging for them to understand the scope of your responsibilities and the scale of your achievements. 

As Ayles succinctly puts it: “I need context as a recruiter!”

How to Provide Context

What exactly should you include to give your resume the depth it needs? Here’s a checklist to ensure your application stands out by offering a comprehensive view of your professional background:

• Industry of Business: Specify the sector your company operates in. This information helps recruiters gauge the relevance of your experience to the industry you’re applying to.
• Size of Business: Mention the size of your company in terms of workforce and turnover (TO). Understanding whether you’ve worked in a large multinational or a small startup can influence a recruiter’s perception of your adaptability and the scale at which you’ve operated.
• Reporting Lines: Clarify your position within the company hierarchy. This detail offers insight into your level of responsibility and the management experience you might have.
• Size of Your Team: If applicable, the size of the team you managed or worked within can highlight your collaboration and leadership skills.
• Business Operations: Briefly describe what your company does. This can be a game-changer, especially if you’ve worked for less-known firms or in niche industries.

You might wonder, “Can’t a recruiter just Google this information?” While theoretically possible, the reality is that recruiters facing a mountain of resumes are unlikely to take that extra step for every candidate. Your goal should be to keep the recruiter focused on your resume by providing all the necessary context at their fingertips.

Every detail on your resume should aim to strengthen your position as the ideal candidate. By including a succinct overview of your previous employers, you not only make your resume more informative but also demonstrate your attention to detail and anticipation of the recruiter’s needs. This seemingly minor addition could very well be the key to securing your next interview, propelling you one step closer to your dream job.