Olesia, SCOLAR CMO: Let’s say I just graduated from university. How do I design a resume in such a way that the recruiter will definitely want to take a look at it?
It is also important to provide a structured description of skills in your resume, dividing it into sections:
Work experience: in case of a lack of it, you can describe projects, researches, and other achievements that can help the employer form an idea of your skills. If you have work experience, you should back it up with digital results.
Education: in addition to basic, secondary or higher education, you should specify any additional trainings and courses on the job profile that will demonstrate your knowledge from various angles.
Achievements: academic, volunteer activities, participation in social or public organizations, research projects and event management should be reflected.
Skills: software skills, knowledge of foreign languages, as well as specific skills related to a particular profession.
Grammar and spelling: check your resume for grammatical and spelling mistakes, or use the help of AI for this purpose.
The “About Me” section and the cover letter: If you want to stand out from other candidates, fill out this section, indicating your goals for the future position and what you can offer the employer. This section is optional but customizing the resume will give you a competitive advantage.
The employer always chooses people who are ready to embrace new tasks, explore new areas and support lifelong learning, even if this is not required. You should not use common cliché phrases such as “communicability,” “stress resistance,” “purposefulness,” and “hardworking.” Instead, focus on specific personality traits and achievements that may be useful for a particular position.
Are there any universal skills that you definitely need to master today in order to be a competitive specialist?
In this fast-changing world, new professions are emerging, and routine tasks are becoming the object of automation. These transformations require new approaches to work from employees. Consequently, the approach to hiring and selecting candidates is also changing. Key attention is paid to the so-called “soft” skills, which become key success factors.
In the framework of “The Future of Jobs Report 2023,” published by the World Economic Forum, the main “soft” skills of the future were highlighted. This report is based on a survey of 803 companies from 27 different industries in 45 countries.
These skills are: analytical and creative thinking; resilience and flexibility; motivation; curiosity and lifelong learning; reliability and attention to detail; empathy and active listening; leadership; and social influence.
However, you also need “hard” skills to be on top: it is significant to maintain a balance between “soft” and “hard” skills.
“Hard” skills are the basic minimum for hiring. If you have analytical thinking abilities, use them in the learning process, conduct research and master technical tools. “Soft” skills will contribute to your personal development and career advancements. For growth within the company, the employer chooses those who have the best communication skills, the ability to work in a team, a high level of self-organization, and initiative.
Are there any rules of etiquette for recruiting? Any aspects that should not be done when communicating with a recruiter and vice versa?
There are certain rules for communication. I will give you some tips to help you successfully find a job:
1. Be polite and open in your communication; provide reliable information about yourself in your resume, which you can confirm at the interview.
2. When communicating with a recruiter, adjust to the tone and style of his messages. Corporate culture varies among companies, so it is important to be flexible and adapt to the temperament of an employer.
3. Respond to messages promptly. It will increase the chances of being invited to an interview quickly.
4. Pay attention to the specified method of communication with the employer, the subject of the letter, and the necessary clarifications in the cover letter when responding to a job position. Observing these nuances will help you establish good contact with the recruiter and show your attention to detail.
5. Prepare for an online interview in advance by choosing a quiet place with a good internet connection. Avoid doing it in noisy public places.
6. If the job offer does not suit you, politely refuse and explain your decision. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback after receiving a rejection.
A recruiter is your guide in the world of employment. Establish a trusting relationship with this person and use every opportunity for personal and professional growth. The more experience you gain during the interview process, the more successful your career will be.
Today, has Al become a competitor in the labor market or a partner?
AL has become not so much a competitor as an indispensable partner for a person in the labor market. Many companies are already successfully integrating AI into their workflows, automating processes. Today, the implementation of AI is widely used in areas such as marketing, sales, IT and research. It can definitely be argued that the use of AI frees human resources from routine tasks, providing opportunities for more creative and strategic initiatives.
At the beginning of your career, having the skills to work with AI will help you:
Automate job search: use AI to provide valuable advice on resume building, preparing for interviews and highlighting your professional skills and experience. Try various online platforms and chatbots that apply AI to analyze your data and meet job requirements. Such tools can help you find suitable jobs faster, and some may even send resumes for you.
Skill development: turn to AI to assess your knowledge and identify areas for improvement. This will help you become more competitive in the labor market.
The use of artificial intelligence in job search greatly simplifies the process and increases the chances of successful employment for young professionals. Don’t forget that AI is a tool, and your personal involvement and creativity remain key elements of this process.
What advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career as an HR professional?
Before diving into the world of recruitment, it is crucial to understand its processes. Check out articles, interviews and books by experienced professionals in this field. Pay attention to your psychotype and interests. A recruiter needs to have empathy, consistency, the ability to analyze the behavior of other people, strategic thinking and negotiation skills. If you prefer exact sciences, work alone and avoid communicating with people: perhaps the field of recruitment is not for you.
At the start of your career, delve into the area in which you will select staff. If your specialization is the recruitment of IT specialists, immerse yourself in the world of technologies by studying specialized resources, joining professional communities and attending conferences. It will give you a significant advantage and allow you to communicate with candidates and hiring managers using “the same language.”
Recruitment is a vocation, and an experienced talent hunter is a valuable specialist. Career opportunities exist both within companies and in consulting. According to statistics, most often, HRBP or HRD roles in companies are occupied by those who started their careers in the field of recruitment.
I wish every young specialist would find his way into a career. It is essential to remember that for successful development in the modern world, you have to take into account the requirements of the labor market and focus on the advancement of “hard” and “soft” skills. Estimate and deeply discover your area of interest. Reveal new areas, study best practices, take internships, and get involved in university projects. Don’t be afraid to experiment, use non-standard approaches, and express your opinion – because each of us is unique. And remember that changes start with you.