How to Write a Resume That Passes Document Screening: The Common Mistakes 90% of First-Time Job Changers Make!
Hello. I am Tanigawa, a career coach.
Based on my own experience of passing document screenings at nearly 20 companies and my experience in significantly improving the document screening pass rate for many job seekers, I will share how to write a resume.
For those considering a career change to a SaaS company from a non-SaaS background, I will introduce common mistakes made during a first job change and then share tips for passing document screening.
【What kind of resume is needed to pass document screening at a SaaS company?】
What SaaS company recruiters look for most in a resume is "reproducibility" and "commitment to metrics."
Clearly stating quantitative achievements: Instead of just saying "I worked hard at sales," you need to prove your achievements with objective numbers, such as "120% of target achieved (1st in department out of 30 people)." You need to show how you performed relatively well within the department you belonged to.
Verbalizing the process: What hypotheses did you form and what actions did you take to achieve results? Whether that thought process fits the SaaS business model (such as The Model) becomes a criterion for judgment. This is an important point that will also be asked in interviews after the document screening.
Demonstrating IT literacy: Specifically list the tools you used in your work (CRM, chat tools, project management tools, etc.) to show your ability to adapt to new technology.
【The "pitfalls" often encountered when challenging a SaaS company without experience】
There are many cases where people challenging from a non-SaaS background are rejected due to the following two points. In particular, the majority of people who are rejected after repeatedly applying directly without consulting others, despite it being their first job change, fall into the categories below. You can avoid falling into these pitfalls by thinking from the company's perspective.
Job descriptions limited to "etiquette": Internal terminology from your previous job or a list of duties without specific achievements will not resonate with SaaS company recruiters. In particular, a case often seen when receiving actual career consultations is that during a first job change, people often write "what they want to write" rather than "what the company wants to know" in their work history, so caution is required.
Lack of evidence for "willingness to learn": Just saying "I am interested in SaaS" is not enough. You need to show through actions what kind of input you are actually doing, such as reading related books or having experience using tools. To make it to an interview from a non-SaaS background, finish your document in a way that shows your willingness to learn.
【Schedule until resume submission】
To complete a resume you are satisfied with, preparation with plenty of time is essential.
Week 1: Self-analysis and career inventory
Extract which episodes from your past experience lead to "reproducibility" at a SaaS company.
Week 2: Drafting and refining numbers
Thoroughly dig into parts that can be talked about with numbers and create a draft. In particular, do not compromise on refining the numbers, and describe the quantitative achievements you have accumulated up to your current job as accurately as possible.
Week 3: Third-party proofreading and brushing up
Have friends, agents, or career advisors read it to confirm if your "strengths" are conveyed at first glance, and then complete it. It is important to find a reliable advisor early, but if you are anxious, I recommend consulting with multiple agents or advisors.
【Points to note before submitting your resume】
Finally, I will summarize the points you should definitely check before submission.
Submission in PDF format: Preventing layout collapse and ensuring it can be viewed on any device is basic etiquette in the SaaS industry.
Reverse chronological order: List your latest experience at the top to emphasize your recent performance. Also, if you have multiple work histories, it is desirable to place weight on the paper for industries dealing in intangible goods that have high affinity with the SaaS industry, or experience relevant to the job you are applying for.
Keep it within 2-3 pages: Too much information is counterproductive. Focus on the main points and be conscious of a structured, easy-to-read layout. If you cannot judge which parts to cut yourself, consult an agent or advisor.
【Conclusion】
How was it? That concludes "How to write a resume that passes document screening" for those challenging a SaaS company from a non-SaaS background.
Currently, for those who have read this note article, Limited to the first 5 people → Due to popular demand, only 3 spots left via note! we are offering first consultation free for career counseling. If you are interested, please feel free to apply using the application form below.
【Career Consultation Application Form】Career Change to SaaS Industry (Tanigawa)
https://forms.gle/eo8M6UUMyL2MCnGj8
If you found this article helpful, it would be encouraging if you could like or follow. Please feel free to comment with any questions or realizations you had during your job search.