Supply chain involves a highly robust recruitment process. Companies make use of a detailed and quality driven approach to find and hire talent who can deliver long-term value. For a single job posting, HR teams or recruiters may need to screen hundreds of resumes, making the competition very steep. 

That is why it pays to optimize your resume so you can stand out in the supply chain talent pool. Find out how you can create an effective supply chain profile with the resume writing tips below.

There is no need to overcomplicate your resume. In general, it needs to look good and clean. Go for a legible design, always run grammatical and spell checks, and visibly convey your experience and competencies. Select a format for your resume that draws attention to this information, and ensure it is clear from the start.

1. Transparent work history. See to it that the information you provide is credible and verifiable. Having a reverse chronological order of your career history is typically preferred. You should use compelling action-oriented statements in bullet points instead of narrating your work experience in long paragraphs. 

2. Quantified results. Having a detailed but concise profile is ideal. However, beefing it up with your achievements and quantifying the results is also crucial. Make sure that you can explain the numbers indicated in your profile during the interview, such as meeting the KPIs, generating the results, your team size, or the extent of the supply chain operations you led or took part in.

3. Career highlights. It is important to show how you made an impact to your team and organisation. Furthermore, incorporate not just your project accomplishments, but also show how you have collaborated with various departments in the company as well as suppliers. This will signify your cross-functional knowledge and experience.

4. Use the right keywords. To adapt to the technological and human elements of supply chain resume search through an applicant tracking system, make sure to integrate industry keywords or jargons, like functional and technical skills or known supply chain acronyms. So, when your resume goes through some filters, it can be recognised by the search application. However, avoid “keyword stuffing” or overdoing it. 

5. Include trainings and certifications. Supply chain organisations see a lot of value in candidates with advanced credentials. Apart from your education, it is important to list relevant trainings and certifications you have completed as most of the companies conduct supply chain processes using a specific method or program. Including these qualifications is one of the best ways to demonstrate your capability to jumpstart the job application.

6. Build your web/social media presence. As more and more companies use digital recruitment processes, applicants should consider building their online presence. Most of the time, recruiters search for an applicant online before they call for a phone interview. When you build your presence online, think about how you want to brand yourself as an expert in the supply chain space. 

Also, consider using the best platforms, such as LinkedIn, in creating web presence as a supply chain professional. Having a substantial LinkedIn profile not only increases your social media presence but also shows that you are up-to-date with the latest technologies. 

A good supply chain resume can take you places 

Working in the supply chain industry presents plenty of opportunities for career growth and development. If you are seeking a job opening in this market, preparing an impressive resume can help you secure an interview. 

Here at The Supply Advisory, we always have new job openings in the procurement and supply chain market. Feel free to check out our careers page to find the latest job openings here in Asia Pacific region.  

Aileen Apuntar-Laqui is the Director – Operations & Research at The Supply Advisory (a division of Datasearch Consulting), a leading executive recruitment firm specialising in Procurement & Supply Chain.

You can view the The Supply Advisory website or contact them directly at info@supplyadvisory.com for a more detailed discussion.