Job openings in Supply Chain

Last week, I sent a question out to some groups on Linked In asking if they saw the job market getting any better in 2010.  The answers received were mixed.  Some think there is an increase in open job postings, but that it is extremely difficult to stand out in the crowd in markets where the number of companies that are Supply Chain-focused are plentiful.  They've sent their resumes into the company portals in response to an ad that was posted on the internet or have posted their resumes directly to the company's web site.  Unfortunately, 9 times out of 10, this is NOT the best way to present yourself.  Most companies do not have an internal recruiting or Human Resources staff that dedicates itself to procurement, logistics, and supply chain.  More likely than not, they don't even understand what their hiring managers are looking for in a candidate.  And if your resume isn't written correctly - with the right words and phrases and with specific accomplishments with metrics listed, it is not going to be picked up by the internal recruiting teams.

So let's address the former issue in this blog and the latter in next week's blog.

Most of us are not professional resume writers.  What I advise candidates to do is fairly simple:  for each position you've held, write a brief paragraph describing what your job was - i.e. write your job description.  This way, you can't help but use the correct terminology being scanned by portals or read by human resources/recruiting.  If you have a job description for the position you're applying for, use that to guide you (without b.s.-ing, of course).  Under each paragraph, bullet examples of accomplishments you made in measurable format, if possible.  Cost savings, programs designed and implemented, large contracts negotiated, global initiatives, etc.  List your name and contact information at the top (including address, they want to know if you require relocation) and under that, your education.  If you want to include a paragraph stating what your experience and strengths include over the span of your career, make it brief and to the point.  Then start with each position including company and dates you were there - month and year are sufficient.

Tell your story and be proud of it!  Pretend you're sharing a beer (or my preference, a glass of wine) with a new friend and you're describing what you do for a living - remember, the person on the other end wants to feel the energy you feel about your skills and talent!

Next week - how to approach hiring managers directly...