Job Hunting with a Growth Mindset: Prepare for Career Progression
Job hunting isn’t just about finding a role. It’s about the career path that’s on offer too. With this in mind, having a growth mindset is important at every stage…
Microsoft Word and LinkedIn are two of the jobseeker’s strongest weapons in their hunting arsenal, playing an integral part in crafting a resume and applying for jobs. So imagine if the two combined to create a super-resource? With the acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016, Microsoft were able to do just that, creating a new integration called Resume Assistant.
The feature was released in November 2017 to Office Insider members, so hasn’t had a full rollout as yet. This is what we know so far:
Advantages
Resume Assistant aims to make creating a fantastic resume easier than ever, combining the processing ability of Word with the data of LinkedIn. Sitting in the sidebar, it recognises when you’re writing or editing your document, offering insights and suggestions about job descriptions and skills based on your industry and the role you’re looking for.
By using a form of artificial intelligence, it promises to pull data from public LinkedIn profiles, highlighting what people in similar positions or with similar professional experiences have written. For example, if those in your line of work use the term ‘financial services’ and note ‘project management’ as one of their top skills, Resume Assistant can suggest using comparable terms. It also promises to find holes in your expertise and recommend new skills for you to match or beat the competition.
As LinkedIn is also a job listing aggregator, it has the added advantage of hosting information about what companies are looking for in their employees. Therefore, Resume Assistant can also scan through open job advertisements to ensure you have the relevant skills and experience for your dream role.
Disadvantages
Access to this information is all well and good, but jobseekers should be wary of relying on it too much. As Resume Assistant is rolled out to the wider market, there is a danger of resumes increasing in similarity and as a result, hiring managers glazing over duplicates. Therefore, it’s worth taking the time to build upon the data LinkedIn supplies, adding personal and memorable touches.
Offering something unique to a hiring manager is going to be the way to stand out from the crowd. Therefore, take the time to format a strong personal statement, promoting what you can bring to a company. Feel free to use some of the terms that Resume Assistant has sourced, but avoid using entire phrases or ideas. In the job race, originality is always going to win. It also shows potential employers that you are capable of thinking independently and communicating succinctly.
What else?
Outside of the actual resume, Resume Assistant includes easy access to relevant openings based on your industry and desired job title. It is also set to offer online training through LinkedIn Learning and will be able to connect you with freelance resume writing professionals.
At the moment, the feature is only open to Office 365 subscribers who have signed up for the Office Insider program. However, with plans for further rollout, expect to see it on a computer near you soon.
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Have you had access to Resume Assistant yet? What are your thoughts?
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