By Mike Whittington

Making a career move can be a life changing event. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the best fit as far as your interests, career path, location and salary.  These are all things that recruiters take into consideration as we try to find the best match for you and your goals. 

Our goal as recruiters is to find that best fit for you while also finding the best candidate to meet the needs of our client companies.  Sometimes the criteria set by these companies can be pretty detailed.  Some examples of experience requirements might be:
 
• A minimum number of years experience
• Experience using specific software (Retail Link, ProSpace, Spectra, etc.)
• Working knowledge in a specific department or category
• College degree
• Specific companies in previous work experience

These are just a few of the items our client companies discuss with us.  Sometimes companies are very specific on what is not negotiable (college degree) or things that would be a bonus but are not mandatory (work in specific category).  We often help companies set realistic parameters in finding the best talent to work on their biggest account.

It’s smart to learn as much as you can about the job requirements for any position that interests you. At first glance a job might look like the perfect opportunity because it is what you want to do and it pays a good salary. But if you don’t meet the requirements, you probably won’t be considered.

You may be thinking, “But I could do that job!” We know you’re probably right. But our client company has given us a wish list which we must adhere to in our search. That’s our job. We want to help you make the best decisions in your career moves as well as meet the needs of our client companies.

There are some things that you can include in your resume to increase your chances of consideration for more positions. 

• When preparing your resume be sure to include things that make you unique.  For instance, your use of Retail Link – almost everyone in Northwest Arkansas working on the Wal-Mart account has experience using Retail Link.  You want to include things that might distinguish you from the average user.  Include the how, what, and why behind the numbers – how do you use the reports you pull?  Many candidates include “daily use of Retail Link” on their resume – more information about how you use it will get attention.

• Are you using other software specific to the account?  Include Spectra, ProSpace, AC Nielsen, Access, etc. It is better to have this information on the resume than to leave the company wondering if you have the experience.

• Are you including dates of employment?  Companies like to see career progression and the dates you were at specific companies.  That certainly doesn’t mean you will not be considered if you stayed at a company for a short time at some point in your career but it will give the potential employer more information about your background.

• It is helpful to include information about the companies you’ve worked for previously. You might have experience working within a category or with products that would be beneficial to a future employer, but if they don’t know what the company does, it won’t catch their interest.   

• Do you have a college degree? This can sometimes be a deal breaker with good companies so be sure to include any education information.

• How big is the business you are managing or working with in your current position?  Is it SKU-intensive?  Import?  Are you managing people?  Recently a Team Leader mentioned that if he sees a resume of a candidate managing a $100M business, it may be very impressive.  He noted that it is important to find out if the candidate started with $50M and had success or started with $200M and is losing business.

The more information you include that is applicable and detailed on your day-to- day Wal-Mart business, the better your chances of getting noticed.  As noted above, when working with a client company our goal is not just to find an Analyst, Category Manager, National Account Manager, VP, etc.  We try to match the most talented and experienced candidates in these positions that meet the needs of our clients.  A little extra time spent beefing up the resume can help show that you have the talent and experience needed.