When applying for a job, many job candidates send their resumes to various organisations to both express their interest in the job and to provide an overview of their academic background. While a resume provides a comprehensive summary of the candidates’ academic background and interests, it does not do a good job of informing the employer of the job candidates’ personality. It is precisely because of this reason that a resume often lacks the human touch that most employers are looking for.

While the absence of a job candidates’ personality may seem to be something that is lacking when it comes to the preparation of a resume, it is also an opportunity for the job candidates to stand out and differentiate themselves from the rest. So, how are they able to do that? Preparing and sending an additional document alongside their resumes is a good idea. Let’s call this additional document “My Personal Profile”.  While the resume focuses on brevity and conciseness, “My Personal Profile” emphasises on comprehensiveness and details.  Job candidates should prepare a single-page textual document in several paragraphs with the following considerations:

• Personality: Students should try to elaborate on their working style when they work with their peers on projects and assignments. It will be good if they are able to relate their working style to the job requirements.  For example, a student’s tendency to collaborate and compromise may be seen by employers as a strength if they are looking for strong team players and powerful negotiators. Along the same vein, a student’s ability to compete may be valued highly by an employer who is looking for someone to spearhead a sales operation. 
• Interests: Students should attempt to relate their personal interests with the job that they are applying. For example, an interest in photography may be relevant in a job application for the position of a photojournalist. And a passion for working with figures may be a strength when students apply for the position of an accountant or an engineer.

• Courses attended: Courses that students have attended prior to leaving school is important, as these courses often reflect the student’s level of interests in the various areas. These courses do – to a certain degree- indicate the amount of effort that students are willing to put in to develop in these areas. For instance, students attending international film festivals on an annual basis may indicate a strong interest in the arts. Placing this information in “My Personal Profile” may assist them in their job applications to be a visual designer or entertainment columnist.

• Life goals: Most of us do not work in a job simply for the monetary remuneration. We have a certain sense of purpose when we are employees. Some consider this a higher calling. For example, some of us become teachers because we want to guide and mentor students to the best of their abilities. Some of us become doctors because we want to save lives. However, each of us is different in this aspect. Therefore, job candidates should identify and highlight this to prospective employers whenever they apply for a job.

• Uniqueness: To differentiate oneself from the rest in the job application process, one needs to know one’s uniqueness. Our interests are all different and job candidates will need to highlight this to their prospective employers.  A strong thirst for knowledge is a good example. Having an interest in foreign languages is another.  Job candidates should try their best to highlight their uniqueness that is relevant to the job to their prospective employers.

• Qualities required for a job: It is important to note that every job has specific requirements that may not be part of the job scope. For instance, a teaching position may require someone who is patient but this is often not explicitly stated. Knowing this, job candidates who are applying for teaching positions should put in more effort to elaborate on their past working experiences in areas where the quality of patience is exhibited.

Submitting “My Personal Profile” often increases the chances of a job candidates being called up for an interview because employers are usually appreciative and curious about someone who makes an additional effort to provide specific details about their personality and interests pertaining to the requirements of the job.

Some job candidates may feel that fewer questions will be asked during the interview since all the details are in the “My Personal Profile” document. This is often not the case. In fact, more questions might be asked since the document has provided additional fodder for further discussion. Interviewers often make use of this opportunity to understand the job candidates better. Job candidates should consider this as an advantage and answer the questions from the interviewers to the best of their abilities.  They should make use of every opportunity to elaborate further on what they have written in the document, emphasising their strengths and uniqueness.

An ability to relate one’s strengths and interests to the qualities that prospective employers are looking for in a position is a skill that all job candidates should learn.  This skill is important when job candidates pen their resume but it is even more vital when it comes to responding to the interviewer’s questions in an impromptu manner during an interview session.

“My Personal Profile” usually increases the understanding between job candidates and the interviewers prior to the interview. Therefore, when the job candidates are subsequently called up for an interview, it implies that the employers have found them to be highly suitable for the job. When coupled with the job candidate’s ability to focus on their strengths during the interview session, the chances of success in securing a job thus increased substantially.