Think a resume is evergreen, and pretty much just needs an updating of your latest position?
Think again. Styles in resumes change. What interviewers look for change. Ways of submitting resumes change.
A resume is essentially a promotional piece designed to make you look like the great candidate you are. You use this promotional piece to get an interview. You use the interview to close the sale: convince them you’re the right person for the job.
Here are the top resume tips for writing a great resume.
1. Match the keywords and phrases from the job description
In today’s world, the great majority of resumes are scanned by an automated system. If the automated system rejects you, your resume will never be seen by a human. One of the key things the automated system scans for is a match between you and the job description. If it is looking for an “experienced computer security professional,” and your resume reads “seasoned digital security professional,” your resume might be tossed. Seriously. If your qualifications match, make sure your words do.
2. Quantify your achievements
Show in your resume, don’t (just) tell. Don’t say “raised amount of social media traffic to company site.” Tell prospective employers by how much. If it was 10%, be sure to put the numbers in. If you received an award, whether for attendance or for team improvement, give the name of the award and when it was received.
3. Point out successes
If you’ve had a notable career success that doesn’t happen to be quantifiable, be sure to put it on your resume. Succinct bullet points are fine. After your listing of a Content Manager position, for example, bullet point “developed out customer service pages.”
4. Be prepared to explain any gaps
If you have gaps on your resume, whether due to parenting duties or being laid off, a prospective employer will notice it. This is true even if you cluster by skills rather than chronology. (In fact, sometimes the latter is a red flag for employers — they look to see the chronology.) Don’t be afraid of gaps, and be honest on your resume. It’s whether you can do the job that counts. But explain it briefly in the cover letter. Be prepared to discuss it briefly in the interview as well.
5. Make it clean and uncluttered
Resumes should be clean and uncluttered. They should use standard, traditional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Never try to be clever or artistic with fonts. Don’t use a “creative” one like Gothic or the script used in comics. First, it can make the automated system toss your resume out. Second, it can be annoying or a turn-off to human resources people.
6. Proofread, proofread, proofread
Nothing will raise doubts about your capabilities quicker than a resume with typographical errors in it. Employers often assume that the quality of your application-related materials will be the same as the quality of your work. If your resume is of poor quality, they may assume your work will be. Have a friend or family member proof it if you think you may overlook misspellings or format errors.
7. Take a hard copy
Even if you’ve submitted everything online, it’s still a good idea to take a hard copy to the interview. Why? Well, it shows that you’re organized and prepared. “Organized” and “prepared” are qualities interviewers like to see. Also, even if your interviewers call it up on their computers, someone could drop into the interview who wasn’t sent it. Be sure to print it on good quality paper, 20-pound weight or above, in a neutral color. Ivory, light gray, and white are all acceptable.
Your resume is one of the most important documents in your job search. Prepare it carefully according to these resume tips.
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