Get Hired: 5 Tips to Make Your Resume Stand Out
When applying for the job, one of the first things you need to prepare is your resume. Your resume is your gate pass, and this piece of document can either make or break your chances of landing that dream job!
With an ocean of resumes coming through each day, recruiters only have a limited time (sometimes even just a few seconds) to look at each resume. Make sure yours stands out!
Here are 5 tips that you can take action on right away to ensure your resume gets the recruiter’s attention.
Start with a clear objective
As with anything else you do, always start with a clear objective. In the case of applying for a job, your objective is to showcase the your skills and knowledge that fit accordingly with the job opportunity.
When building your resume, think of what the recruiter may be looking for and what you can tell them straight away about yourself, your capabilities, and job experience.
Remove any unnecessary details
This ties in perfectly with the first tip. Remove any unnecessary details, such as irrelevant job experience or skills. The purpose of your resume is to relay to the recruiter why you’re fit for the job you are applying for and how you have applied your skills in similar positions.
If you are applying for a sales position, mention the key job experience you have in the same field. Remove anything that would not point toward the direction of your capabilities in sales.
Be specific with your projects and tasks
Now that you have trimmed down your resume to reflect only the relevant job experience and skills, you will have more space to be very thorough with the projects and skills you have completed and acquired during your previous employment.
It is not enough to mention a general description of your job post; be very specific and intentional about it. Write out the projects and tasks that you worked on specifically. Doing this lets the recruiter understand clearly your skills and experience. Use data as often as possible, specific outcomes, and if applicable, KPIs reached (or exceeded).
For example:
Social Media Manager
– Built client’s Instagram following from 100 to 1,000 in X months, with an average engagement rate of X%
Facebook Ads Manager
– Set up and optimized a [name of campaign here] for X client, which generated X number of leaves covering the period of X months, with a lead-to-sale conversion rate of X%
Not only do these showcase your skills, but also tell the recruiter that you are goal-driven and have the ability to measure your results, outcomes, and goals effectively.
Use the right language on your resume
Use strong action words such as “established”, “improved”, “achieved” to describe your projects and roles. When you use these words, however, be mindful of the fact that you will need to share actual details of how you have achieved a goal, improved sales, optimized processes, etc.
Stay away from weak words, or words that have a negative connotation. A great idea would be to have someone else read through your resume, preferably someone who has hiring experience, and give feedback on how you can improve your wording, presentation, and flow.
Be original
When it comes to designing your resume template, it’s always great to find good inspiration. Today, there are tons of templates available online. However, nothing beats being original.
Try to stay as close as possible to your “personal branding” to let the recruiter know how much thought and detail you have put into crafting your resume. All elements should speak of who you are and what you are capable of doing. This is especially helpful in the case of those applying for a design position.
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Lastly, always perform a grammar and spell-check for due diligence. It’s quick and easy to do, yet most applicants fail to do this. Wow your recruiter by submitting a completely polished resume – this will speak volumes as to your attention to detail and level of professionalism.
Ready to submit that resume? Visit GoTeam Careers today!
