Attention to Little Details Make Big Things Happen

Today we're issuing an alert to all job seekers … accuracy is key.

Be certain that your LinkedIn profile and resume are consistent in every detail, especially regarding company names, job titles, and exact dates of employment. There should be no discrepancies. Why?
 
                It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.
- John Wooden, Head Basketball Coach at UCLA from 1948 -1975 who guided the Bruins to win 10 NCAA titles in his last 12 seasons before he retired.
 
If you want to win interviews and land a great job, be meticulous in reporting the details of your employment. Companies will verify your employment history, and inaccuracies could raise unwarranted red flags that may knock you out of consideration. Don’t be sidelined for lack of attention to detail.
 
Take time to gather the appropriate information.

• Use formal company names. Don’t abbreviate the name of the company. If your previous employer has recently changed company names, give the current name and in parentheses write (formerly known as ___). If the name change was due to a merger or acquisition, write (ABC Company acquired XYZ Company in 2015) or (XYZ Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of ABC Company). If decision makers at the new company cannot find your previous employer in an online search, they may suspect you are being dishonest. No need to raise undue concerns. Pay attention to vital details. 
  
  
• Use the job title provided by your previous or current employer. If needed, qualify your actual job duties, especially if your duties were outside the scope of your job title or led to increased responsibilities and/or a promotion. Where possible, show an upward progression with increased levels of responsibility in each new professional role. If your job titles are different on your LinkedIn profile and your resume, this will raise questions. Above all, be truthful. Don’t inflate your job titles.
  
  
• Verify exact dates of employment. If your resume or LinkedIn profile has been professionally prepared, double check that the writer did not transpose any numbers. Verify every start date and every end date. Compare your LinkedIn profile information to your resume; the dates of employment should be an exact match.
  
  
• Verify zip codes, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URLs mentioned. Again, check for transposed numbers and letters. Don’t rely on spellchecker. Read backwards, scanning from the bottom of your document to top and from right to left to verify all numbers. It is also important to verify all contact information on your reference sheet. 
  
  
• Proofread data submitted and all prepared documents. 
  When working with a professional writer, provide accurate information. This will speed up your project completion time. Read your final draft aloud. You’ll be surprised by the errors you will discover when you use this method of document review.
  
  

Before engaging the services of a professional resume writing company, ask about quality control. At Written by a Pro, we have a team of writers and editors working from an editorial checklist. No document goes back to the client without prior review by a different writer/editor. We question one another and hold each other accountable for getting the details right. 
 
The bottom line is that no one knows your employment history better than you do. Verify all personal information contained in your career documents. Ultimately, you are the last line of defense when it comes to accuracy on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Make sure all of your data is correct and consistent, both in print and online. Your attention to detail will impress decision makers at your new place of employment.
 
Cheering you on to score a great job with the compensation you deserve!
The Mission Possible Team

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