Job Information and Seeking Training (JIST) - The Trending Concept in Resume Creation


The recruiters are overburdened with resumes. No matter which job board a recruiter uses or which company he works for, the number of junk emails, inappropriate resumes, and irrelevant work experience will always flood his inbox. Going through more than 50 resumes on a daily basis of around 2 pages each is a task in itself. It gets very difficult for a recruiter to find the correct fit and, at the same time, for the application to stand out in the crowd of thousands. To solve this problem, the industry has now come up with the JIST technique of resume creation. In this article, we will be understanding the concept of JIST in resume creation, what problems JIST is going to solve, how it is more efficient than our traditional concept, and how to prepare JIST.

The Concept of JIST Cards

JIST, which stands for Job Information and Seeking Training, is also referred to as mini resume cards. These cards serve the purpose of a short resume and a business card. The cards are generally 3" by 5" in size and were first introduced by the JIST Publishing Corporation. JIST cards are currently very popular in the industry because they help the recruiter understand the gist of an employee in just 30 seconds. The cards are colorful and attractive by nature, so they are also pleasant to look at, and the recruiter can make a decision in minutes. Through JIST cards, applicants can sell themselves in small boxes. It is just like a postcard, but for official purposes.

How to Prepare a JIST Card or What Information to Include in a JIST Card?

  • JIST cards should include the individual's contact information. Cell phone number, telephone number, fax number, email ID, LinkedIn ID, and others are just some examples of the different contact information a JIST cardholder or applicant can include in it. Mention the fastest mode of communication only in the JIST card.

  • Mention your name on the card. Please avoid nicknames or only use first names. JIST cards are not postcards, but your official resume in the hand of the recruiter. One can bold the name or use a different color to make it look attractive.

  • Mention briefly the type of job you are seeking. There could be situations in which you are seeking a total career switch or when you want to mention that you are looking for an entire developer or techno-functional role. It is better to mention the type of employment an applicant is seeking to save time for both parties.

  • List the number of years of industry experience you have in a particular domain, and if you are a fresher, you can skip this part as well.

  • Mention your accomplishments on the JIST card. Make sure to provide numbers, a percentage increase, or the name of awards you have received while working. Some of the examples could be

    • I helped the organization save 5% of the total cost through the new automated process.

    • I was able to acquire sales worth 5,000 dollars in the year 2022.

    • I have been awarded the position of future CTO, CEO, future leader, and rising star in the company in 2022.

  • If you have any hard skills like a technical person might have, for example, Python, C+, C++, Java, HTML, CSS, WCAG, Aria, Agile, Scrum, JIRA, Confluence, proposal writing, or others, please mention the same in the card. It helps the recruiter understand if you would be fit for the role or not.

  • If you have done any certifications or industrial training, that should also go on the JIST card. It is critical for freshmen or people who have upgraded their skills and are looking for new opportunities.

  • Mention any work-related personal assets that you have acquired throughout the years in the JIST card. One could also mention the volunteer work that one does, as this will create a positive image of the applicant in the eye of the viewer.

  • Avoid lengthy sentences or verbose statements. The shorter and crispier the card, the better it is for you.

  • Try to make the card look aesthetic and engaging. A simple white background with black text will never stand out. Try to be creative but formal at the same time.

  • Always carry your JIST cards in interview sessions, corporate meetings, and some social gatherings.

  • Attach your JIST cards with your resumes and share them with your friends, colleagues, and family members for passing on in case of relevant opportunities.

  • Use fonts, bold lines, or achievement when required, and use colors to make your JIST card attractive.

Applicants also need to understand that not all of the points mentioned above will be applicable to them and the industry in which they work. It is at the discretion of the JIST cardholder to decide which information to put in and which to avoid. The more, the merrier is not the case when it comes to the JIST cards.

What Benefits Can an Individual Gather with the Help of JIST Cards?

A JIST card is going to provide the applicant benefits over a regular resume in the following ways −

  • It will help the recruiter gain all the important points in just 30 seconds.

  • It will give you an edge over the other 1,000 applications lying on the desk of the recruiter.

  • You can highlight all the important points about your career summary on just a 3" by 5" card.

  • This will act as both your resume and business card.

  • One can also attach such cards to bulletin boards or grocery shops. Since this is something new in trend, it ought to catch the eye.

  • It was mentioned in a survey that 90% of recruiters prefer JIST cards to resumes.

  • According to the survey, 30% of recruiters would like to meet an attractive JIST card holder even if there are no openings for the skillset mentioned.

  • JIST cards can be attached to the front of a resume, included in a thank-you note an applicant sends to the recruiter or included in digital format in the body of an email.

The economy is facing the aftershocks of the recession, the pandemic, and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Today it is the employee’s market, but at the same time, companies are spoiled with choices because of the borderless world. With a work-from-home model, companies can hire talent across the globe at a cost of their choice, and hence, if you want to stand out in the mass market scenario, you have to be different from the rest of the world. There are thousands of people who can drive sales for the company, but what will set you apart from those 1,000 is your ability to talk numbers, your presentation skills, and your readiness to adapt yourself to market needs and trends. JIST cards are one such technique that is going to set you apart from the flood of resumes for a job opening.

Updated on: 09-Feb-2023

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