​The average corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes, according to the employment website Glassdoor. With that kind of volume, it’s little wonder that most resumes get looked at for seven (7) seconds or less.
 
If you think it's time to change your job, be sure to learn to increase the odds that a hiring manager will pay attention to your resume long enough to appreciate what you have to offer.
 
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make sure your resume gets read. Study these suggestions before you reply to another job listing.

Even if you're a star performer, you will need to know how to make your resume stand out. Learning about what employers want to see in a resume and making it easier for them to recognize your value will help you to land more interviews and job offers. 

Find recruiters who specialize in a given field. As with advertising, choosing an effective recruiter might be just a matter of targeting, particularly for a managerial or executive position. These positions can be very hard for in-house personnel directors and human resource managers to fill. While these people do have responsibility for hiring, the search for a new employee with skills beyond the norm for their company can best be targeted by a professional executive recruiter.
 
The same can be said for specialized fields, such as Accounting or IT. For example, in-house human resources staff in a pharmaceutical company might know all about pharmaceutical skillsets required for a multitude of research positions, but they may not know as much when it comes to hiring staff to track money or to keep the computers functioning. That's when recruiting agency services specializing in IT, Accounting , or any other specialized field can come in handy. ​

Pharmacist resumes must have information of your experience relevant to the position in a quick and clear format. You already know employers are only interested in a highly qualified Pharmacist with a customer-friendly attitude.

Apart from highlighting your qualifications, contact information, experience etc, the following points for a Pharmacist CV will provide resume writing ideas on how to prepare the resume for a Pharmacist position.
​

• A clear cut Profile or Summary section which shows your sense of direction to the employer. 
• Use a resume and cover letter checklist. Your resume should have the accurate names of each of your employers and your corresponding job titles. 
• Give a brief description about the employer, if they are not well known. 
• Mention the number of staff that you manage (if applicable). 
• List your educational qualifications with the name of the institution, city, state, degree, major, year awarded, and GPA. 
• Learn how to quantify your accomplishments on your resume.

Use important keywords in your resume (i.e.: pharmacology, dispensing and compounding, medication therapy, pharmaceutical research, and in specialty areas like acute and critical care, ICU, nuclear pharmaceuticals, and retail etc. 

Narrate some of the main reasons why you should be called for the interview. For example:

• Thorough knowledge of drug distribution systems
• Drug utilization evaluation
• Complex equipment and delivery systems
• Emerging medications
• Inventory management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Licensed clinical pharmacist with acute care and hospital experience.
• Serving and maintaining effective communication with the community to improve drug usage and therapeutic outcomes. 

Mention how you have reduced costs and saved money in your department or the organization in general.  Highlight any other achievements that have benefited your department and your organization in general.

Learn how to make your resume stand out. Below is a video of a sample Pharmacist CV for your review. ​

​Applying online is not only done through job sites. You can also check the websites of companies that usually have a section on careers to see what openings are available. You simply have to go through the process of giving certain information and uploading your resume. 

Employers review your resume before connecting with you. Given the many that apply, this usually takes seconds. Consequently, we  must use limited words while we also have to be sure that the resume is well-written and grammatically correct. 

The resume must say almost everything about the person. This should always start with pertinent information such as the person’s name and contact information.  

Next is the Summary which briefly gives the audience an idea of what to expect as they continue to read the resume. It's almost like a quick introduction. If written in a precise and concise way, one can give a very professional introduction. 

However, many people find it difficult to write a brief resume summary. Below are six (6) examples for your review. 

Software development leader and technology evangelist with a strong leadership presence; is currently seeking a new role that will draw upon expertise in software leadership, data protection, business transformation, enterprise-level implementation, automation, analytics, AI, client relations, and strategic planning.

​There is no ideal resume. It depends on the job. It is an important step one must pass before being called for that first interview.

As we are going through The Great Resignation, many are considering the cost of a career change and looking for resources to help them learn about other related aspects of a career change. 

​If you’re also thinking about changing careers, talking to someone who does the job you’re interested in can give you insight into what you will — and will not — like about your desired job.
 
For someone who hasn’t interviewed for a job in a long time, an informational interview can also provide valuable practice before applying for jobs and going on interviews.
 
Informational interviews (also called information sessions, informational meetings, or research interviews) are interviews that are conducted to gather information to help prepare for a job interview and/or learn more about a specific job, industry, or company.
 
However, an informational interview is not a job interview, and should not be confused with one. With an informational interview, you’re not seeking a job — you are seeking information to help you get a job.
 
Anyone can conduct an informational interview, although they are most commonly used by new graduates and perhaps those who may feel they have been on a  wrong career path.

Below is a sample scenario to demonstrate "how to ask" for an informational interview. 

If there is a company you’d like to work for, use this script to ask for an informational interview. This can also be a script if you identify a contact who can give you information or help you network to a job.
 
Preparation:

• Try to find someone you already know at the target company. Look at the company’s page on LinkedIn and see if you already know someone at the company who can help introduce you to the person you want to talk to/meet.
• If you don’t have a specific name, research the company’s website and/or LinkedIn company profile to see if you can find the name, title, and phone number of the person who hires for and/or oversees the job you want.

 
Make the Call:
Hi! My name is (your name) and I was given your name as the person who oversees the (name of) department or hires (job titles).
OR
[If you were referred to them by someone, mention that. Or, if you have something else in common — like your alma mater or a professional association, use that as your lead-in.]
 
I’m looking to make connections in the ____ field. I know you’re not currently hiring, but I was hoping you might be able to provide me with some advice.
 
Would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions?
[If no, ask if you can schedule a time to talk to them later.]
[If yes, give a quick summary of your background and qualifications and then ask one or more specific questions]

• (If the job you want isn’t currently open): How do you typically fill positions within your department? Do you hire from within or do you advertise them? And, if so, where? Or do you work with a recruiter? (in-house or which firm or firms do you typically work with?)
• How do you like working for the company? [If you’ve researched the person on LinkedIn, you can ask more specific questions.]
• Do you know of another department within the company — or another company — that might be hiring (job titles)?
• How can I be helpful to you?

 
Thank you for your time.
 
How It Might Sound:
You: Hi! My name is Melanie McIntosh and we’re both members of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). I’ve seen you at a couple of meetings, but we’ve never formally met. I’m looking to make connections in the public relations field. I was hoping you’d have a couple of minutes to provide me with some advice. Would you mind if I asked you a couple of questions? I promise I’ll keep it short.
 
Contact: Sure, I’ll try to answer a question or two for you, if I can.
 
You: I’ve worked with a couple of agencies — I’m currently a PR Specialist with Be Bold PR and previously worked as an Account Executive for  Stronger Brands for five years before that, specializing in pitching, account service, and media relations. I was wondering how your agency typically fills positions when they come open. Do you hire from within, do you advertise them, or do you work with recruiters?
 
Contact: We usually put up postings on the PRSA job board, LinkedIn, and Indeed. We also work with recruiters — usually PR Talent and Recruiters Inc.
 
You: Great. Can I ask how you got hired at Phantom Public Relations?
 
Contact: One of my former bosses came to work here and he hired me away. They actually created a job for me, and then I was promoted into my current role two years ago.
 
You: That’s great. I see from your LinkedIn profile that you’re well connected in the industry. Do you happen to know of any companies that might be hiring PR Specialists focusing on agriculture and farming clients? That’s my specialty.
 
Contact: I don’t know of anyone specifically who may be hiring, but I am friends with Simon Bass over at Waypoint Communications and I know they have a couple of ag and farming accounts. You’re welcome to drop my name if you want to ask him about openings.
 
You: Thank you. I really appreciate it. One last thing: Is there anything I can do for you? I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me today.
 
Contact: No, I can’t think of anything. But do say hi if you are at next month’s PRSA meeting.
 
You: Will do. Thanks again. 

Having “inside information” about a company you’re interested in working for, or about a specific job you’re applying for can be very helpful throughout your job search. Getting "inside information" is the purpose of an "informational Interview". Hopefully the sample scenario above will help you to effectively leverage this strategy.