Even if you’re new to the workforce, a good resume can help get your foot in the door when applying for jobs. And even if it won’t get you hired at that particular company, it will put your name out so that other opportunities can arise down the road.
The main objective of any resume is to get you an interview with potential employers. This means that even if they don’t hire you right away, they know who you are, and they’ll remember your name when another position opens within their company. If you’re looking for a job, you’ll need a resume that stands out to hiring managers in just six seconds. Here are some of the best ways to ensure your resume catches their eye and they give it serious consideration.
1: Personalize it
A resume represents you as an employee. Make sure your resume is tailored to the job you’re applying for, not just one pulled from your computer. If possible, use a template only as a starting point, then customize it specifically for each position.
If you are using a template or online builder, make sure it doesn’t look generic by adding your name at the top of each page and customizing other parts of its design (such as font type). You don’t want people skimming over your resume because they think all applicants’ documents contain similar information.
2: Avoid being too cutesy or familiar
Avoid using slang, cutesy sayings or being overly familiar. The point of the resume is to give employers a basic idea of your experience and qualifications. It’s not a place to be overtly creative or show off your personality (you have other opportunities for that). Finally, don’t include anything that you wouldn’t want prospective employers to see. They may look over your social media profiles or blogs as part of their research. The resume is usually the first point of contact between an employer and a prospective employee. It’s important to ensure that your resume makes a good impression by being clear, concise, and professional.
3: Make it scannable and easy to read
One of the most important things to do to ensure that employers receive your resume well is to make sure it’s easy to read. Many people write their resumes in a way that makes it hard for hiring managers and recruiters to work with, which means they will be less likely to call you in for an interview. Here are some tips:
- Make sure all sections are clearly marked and formatted properly so that readers know where each section begins and ends.
- Use a professional font that is easy to read, such as Arial or Times New Roman, for your entire resume or all headings and subheadings of your resume (such as “Objectives” and “Education”).
- Use a consistent style.
- Don’t exceed a 12-point font size. Anything larger may be hard on the eyes. Use italics and bolding sparingly.
- Use white space. White space is important because it makes your resume look clean and easy to read. Use white space to break up the text so it doesn’t appear too dense or overwhelming for someone scanning over your credentials quickly.
Your resume is one of the first things that a potential employer will see. It’s your chance to make a great first impression and convince them that you’re the right person for the job.
Resumes are not the place for long and convoluted sentences. Instead, use short phrases and bullet points to break up your text. You can even occasionally use one-sentence paragraphs or lists where appropriate. This will make it easier for readers to digest your resume and keep them interested in what you say.
4: Target your resume to the job you’re applying for
To make your resume stand out, it should be targeted toward the job you’re applying for. If you have a resume lying around in a drawer since college that contains irrelevant skills, update or rewrite it before sending it out. Reading through the job description carefully will help you identify which skills and experiences are most important for that position. If some keywords repeatedly appear throughout the description of tasks performed on the job, then include them on your resume. For example: “create comprehensive reports,” “design website layouts,” or “coordinate events.”
5: Include metrics or other numbers to quantify your accomplishments
You can include numbers to quantify your accomplishments. For example, “I increased sales by 7%” or “I improved customer satisfaction ratings by 17%.” If you don’t have a number to use, try using metrics instead. For example, “I decreased turnover rate by 50%” or “I reduced customer churn rate.”
Also, consider using other quantifiers, including numbers and metrics. For example: “I increased the conversion rate on our landing page from 0% to 2% in 3 months” or “I grew the team from four people to 16 people within six months.”
6: Keep your resume concise and relevant
Keep irrelevant details out of your resume. You can include your hobbies and outside interests, but only if they are directly relevant to your desired job. For example, if you are applying for a job in a fitness center, it makes sense to mention that you enjoy weight training. If you’re applying for a job as an accountant, it won’t help your case to say you like stamp collecting. The same goes for any other non-professional interests and activities, such as membership in social clubs.
The most important thing to remember when writing your resume is to keep it relevant and concise. Hiring managers don’t want to see a laundry list of every job you’ve ever had or hobby you enjoy — they want to know if you have the skills necessary to do the job they’re hiring for. So, focus on highlighting only those experiences and interests directly related to the position you’re applying for, and leave everything else out.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that your resume is one of the first things a potential employer will see, and it’s also very easy for them to toss if they think it doesn’t meet their requirements. But with the right formatting, content, style, length, and other details, you can ensure your resume stands out and shows off all the great skills you’ll bring to their company.