Recruiting has changed a lot in recent years, but a resume remains a centerpiece of the evaluation process. Job seekers use the resume to provide a concise and enticing summation of their skills and experiences. Hiring managers use the document to quickly gauge a candidate’s aptitude. You don’t have long to make an impression, which is why having a professional, attention-grabbing resume is so important. Here are some tips to help yours stand out:
Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description
It’s never a good idea to rely on a stock resume. Instead, carefully read through the job description and identify the skills/experiences that are mandatory, desired, and unstated. Then rework your resume to highlight your credentials in the context of the job description. If you frame yourself as someone that is perfect for this job you are much more likely to get an interview.
Focus on Accomplishments
Too often resumes simply describe past responsibilities. These responsibilities were the things you were supposed to be doing and rarely come off as impressive. Focus, instead, on things you accomplished at past jobs. Maybe you completed assignments before deadline and under budget, or achieved stellar sales figures. Highlighting results reveals what makes you a step above the ordinary candidate.
Use Metrics
Vague language like “improved, grew, streamlined, and optimized” sounds good but reveals very little. As much as possible, back up your accomplishments with hard numbers. If you can show that you made a measurable impact at a past position, it carries a lot of weight with hiring managers. Clear numbers also make it easier to compare you to other candidates.
Improve the Summary Section
The summary section is typically front and center on the document, so it needs to resonate. Avoid bland descriptions of your career and unclear assertions about your abilities. Instead, use the space to make big, bold statements backed up with hard numbers. The more engaging this section is the more likely the hiring manager will spend extra time with the rest of your resume.
Cut the Fat
Including information on your resume that is irrelevant to the position you’re seeking is a major mistake. It wastes valuable space on the document, dulls the impact of the information around it, and wastes the time of hiring managers that are probably sick of reading resumes. Read through your resume carefully and honestly, and remove anything isn’t directly applicable.
A great resume is important, but if it’s accompanied by a bland cover letter and followed by an underwhelming interview performance, you are unlikely to get many job offers. Discover effective ways to improve your image throughout the job search process by connecting with the team at Selectek.
