Rivers Resume Services

Rivers Resume Services We provide CV/Resumes, LinkedIn profiles and Jobsearch strategies for global clients at every level from Fresh Grad to CEO, across all industries and sectors.

We are committed to quality and have an outstanding record of delivering results.

No matter what your level, whether you're a: 🎓 or a 💼 or a 🦄 or a 💎, the result is = 📈 > 😱 > 😃!
15/02/2023

No matter what your level, whether you're a: 🎓 or a 💼 or a 🦄 or a 💎, the result is = 📈 > 😱 > 😃!

14/02/2023

And yet another very happy client which makes me extremely happy.

If I had any advice to give anyone struggling it would be this; it's not you, there is nothing wrong with you as a person OR as a candidate---it's just gonna be down to the tools you're using! Everyone deserves to be doing a job they love.

This has got to be one of the biggest I've had to date, I think. Couldn't have been more deserved, too. People get so ...
13/02/2023

This has got to be one of the biggest I've had to date, I think. Couldn't have been more deserved, too. People get so beaten down in jobs they aren't appreciated (or paid properly) in, but I see their worth and with a little branding magic - employers clearly do too! So happy for this lovely client.

ATS MYTHBUSTING... So, I have come to notice that there is a lot of false information and mythologizing around the pro...
15/09/2022

ATS MYTHBUSTING... So, I have come to notice that there is a lot of false information and mythologizing around the process and I want to work to clarify some of it if I can. Firstly, I am sure I have been guilty of contributing to this unwittingly, if only because I fell into the habit of using the slang which perpetuates some of these myths. So part of this is me just trying to make up for that! But most of all, I think this is really important information and it needs to be understood by to empower them in their jobsearches.

Fact 1: It is not possible to "fail" the ATS in such a way that you will be "automatically rejected" instantly. This is a basic assumption and one that is helped along by our professional slang and short-hand, but it is not the case that a faceless robot scans your resume and instantly bounces it away without it ever reaching the destination.

Fact 2: A human being is responsible for all automated rejections.

Fact 3: It IS still absolutely the case that your resume may not be seen or read and rejected without a human reading it.

Fact 4: ATS utilize different folders or 'buckets', and these presets scan the incoming resumes for facts (i.e.: college degree, certification, min. years' experience, keywords for the role), and if the ATS cannot find these things (either because they are not included OR because the resume is not ATS-friendly) they are sent straight to these folders. In a few days' time, the human who does not look at those submissions rejects them en masse.

Fact 5: A resume that is not ATS-friendly will fail to parse information or parse it in a garbled way that does not make much sense, thus harming chances by either a: not being seriously considered or b: automatically going into a bucket.

A human is still the one who pushes that button to reject you, but it is important you know WHY and HOW this happens!

14/09/2022

JOBSEARCH STRATEGY. One thing that need to realise is that sometimes it isn't even about the good resume... or the great LinkedIn presence... Sometimes, the only reason they are failing to get interviews is because of HOW they are jobsearching.

Let's assume you have an *awesome* resume/cv perfect for the role you want... but you are only applying for jobs via LinkedIn Jobs (because it's a great platform, etc), and you are finding you get nothing but rejections. Well, LinkedIn Jobs matches suitability first based on the PROFILE and NOT the resume, so check the skills, check your titling, make sure that the actual profile is branded for what you're applying to.

Let's assume you have a pretty good resume, but an *awesome* LinkedIn profile with huge reach and presence.... but you're only using jobboards and company websites to apply to. You need a varied approach and you need to be using LinkedIn which might be promoting you better, and might have better range of opportunities.

Let's say you have the kick-ass resume, the awesomest LinkedIn, and you are using a great mix of LI Jobs, jobboards, etc, but you STILL get only rejections. Then maybe it's your timing! Are you applying to really old opportunities? Just because they're still up 2+ months in, doesn't mean they're active. HR/hiring managers/Employers move fast. Believe it or not, anything posted over 7+ days, chances are low. More often than not, a selection of candidates will be picked out within the first few days and from that pile (which will be considerable) the interviewees will be picked. The only exception to this is where a job has a specific end date for submissions, in which case it's possible that it won't be touched until after that date, so you still have a shot. But generally-speaking, anything over 7 days, don't bother.

Remember to set up ALERTs so you are able to apply asap to everything new that comes up in your area.

13/09/2022

are you searching enough? Are you searching in the right places? Are you searching smartly?

I am continually surprised by how many people stumble in their simply because they don't know the basics. The primary issues are:

1. Not Searching Enough. On average, it takes about 30 applications for 1 interview (NOTE: this is the avg., my clients get much quicker results)! This means that if you are applying to 2 things a day and thinking 'phew, fingers crossed', then think again. Even with a GOOD , it's still a numbers game.

2. Not Searching In the Right Places. Just using jobboards? Mix it up. Around 30% of job postings on job boards aren't even real. (This is for numerous reasons i.e.: recruiters needing candidate pools or to meet equal opportunity company policies). You need to be applying in a variety of ways to be sure you are getting the best chances of landing interviews.

3. Not Searching Smartly. You have to smart search. Don't waste your time on jobs posted over a week ago. Get email alerts set up, have resumes ready to send from mobile devices, use linkedin to connect to companies that interest you and talk to people, keep a detailed record of what you've applied to so if you get a callback you have something to reference... Search SMART! Remember, when you're jobsearching, your job is that search, so run it right if you want to get the best outcomes.

12/09/2022

Tip: Time for another pro ! If you are , give yourself a TITLE on your resume... This is consistently one of the things that loads of people are leaving out.

What do you do/want to do? Make that clear! HR/employers don't want to have to work it out when they have so many resumes to sift through already. This is also the way to indicate that, yes, you ARE a great match for this HR Manger role, or this Marketing Assistant role, etc.

If you have got several areas of expertise (i.e.: Business Development, Marketing & Sales), then you need to consider keeping slightly different versions of resumes to fit different positions (e.g.: 1 focused on Development and 1 on Marketing & Sales), so you can always apply swiftly and easily and look like the right match for the job applied to.

When titles match it makes a big difference, but I don't want to suggest that you should be changing your title and reserving your resume for EVERY job application. If you are applying for a Marketing Manager job and your resume says Marketing Professional, that's close enough! Changing it every time is a HUGE time-suck, as on avg. it takes jobseekers 30 applications for 1 interview. I'm simply saying that a bit of thought and branding goes a long, long way!

Make your resume fit YOU and then apply only to things that fit your skillset.

08/09/2022

- Outreach advice for jobseekers. Make up a list of target companies... and then follow these companies on Linkedin.

Next, use their People page to find employees, and start requesting connections in these companies/department you would like to be in, and especially any in-house recruiters or HR department you can see. It can be worth messaging with the request something along the lines of: you are really interested in the company, you admire its mission a great deal, and you would love a chance to talk about their culture a little more.

If you get any acceptances, try and engage in conversation, asking about the company and their experiences, showing interest, and at some point admitting that you are exceptionally interested in working there yourself. If they seem positive or friendly, perhaps even try and take it further, asking if they would mind looking at your to see if they think it would fit with the company, or if they'd pass on your resume to someone in HR, etc...

Just tread lightly and be enthusiastic and respectful, but this is how people can get opportunities from the , or via referral.

08/09/2022

! If you are applying for jobs through LinkedIn Jobs, remember when you hit that Apply button to submit your resume/cv in PDF format.

For employers/HR/recruiters using LinkedIn for job postings, a PDF is instantly visible when they open the application. But if it's a word doc, they have to download and open it. This is extra effort for them, so your best chances to impress quickly, are when you've used a PDF format to submit.

07/09/2022

"Should I customize my resume for every job application?" My advice is *no*, do not do this, for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, you should aim to have a resume made for the job you want, hopefully covering all required skillset and bases, which means that - fingers crossed - whatever the job spec is, as long as it fits your goals, your resume covers enough to gain interest.
Secondly, that's a huge time suck! Job searching is a numbers game and every few minutes you waste adjusting the document to try and make it 100% perfect for one job is time you could have applied to say four more things. On average it takes 30 applications for 1 interview, so time is of the essence. (Note: that's the average, my clients get much better leverage).

The ONLY time I would suggest any changes be made to a resume is if their use of language is super different, and/or to align titles, in which case maybe just changing your title to match what they call it is worth a go. (For example: instead of HR Manager they call it People Coordinator)! But again, only do that if you think BOTH that it would be a real sticking point AND that you are super into the job. Otherwise, still not worth it.

The left is an ATS when a graphic-heavy one-page resume/CV was entered. The right was a plain-text resume/CV without gra...
06/09/2022

The left is an ATS when a graphic-heavy one-page resume/CV was entered. The right was a plain-text resume/CV without graphics. This is what the employer/recruiter sees (or doesn't), and it impacts whether you get an interview.

05/09/2022

To increase jobsearch chances on LinkedIn, put at the end of your title (if you are able to search openly), which signifies that you are open to new opportunities. Also, put the resume ON your LI profile, attached as a PDF file to the Featured section. You want people to be able to just click and see everything if they're curious or interested in you! There's LOADS of tips for LI, but these are the main ones I can afford to give for free. 💼📈😀

Address

Smithy Cottage, Smithy Corner, Bar Hill
Madeley

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rivers Resume Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Rivers Resume Services:

Shortcuts

Share

Category