When it comes to resume writing, there are many unwritten rules. In many cases, recruiters and hiring managers spend less than one-minute scanning through a resume. Given the sheer amount of people applying for one position, it’s crucial that you make your resume stick out from the rest. Knowing where you need to begin can be hard whenever you’re updating or creating a resume, and this is especially the case if it’s been a while since you’ve done it.
Stand Out from the Norm
Recruiters and hiring managers are constantly sorting through resumes, and since they’ve seen everything a resume has to offer, you need to forgo all the clichés you know, replacing them with far more pertinent keywords. Rather than saying you “achieved sales goals,” you might try saying you “consistently surpassed sales goals and expectations by (insert percentage).” Rather than referring to yourself as a team player, describe how you worked with colleagues and peers to achieve goals and success.
Use Numbers
There’s no better way to measure your accomplishments than with undisputable numbers. Add percentages and numbers where it’s appropriate. How much product did you sell? How many people did you manage? What was the size of your budget? In what timeframe did you complete the task? Describe your accomplishments, not the responsibilities. People will skim over a regurgitated job description, but their eyes will stop at the figures.
Custom Tailor Resume for Every Job Opening
According to Monster.com, “hiring managers have specific ideas about what skills and experiences candidates need to do well in open positions, and your resume should mirror that description.” No one resume is going to work for every application. Take the time to read through the job description and tailor your achievements and experience to match up with the characteristics the company seeks in a new hire.
Focus on the Top Section
The top of the resume is your elevator pitch. The hiring manager needs to know exactly what your brand represents at an immediate glance. Put extra focus into the first few lines. This means that you need to have your most relevant experience at the top and straight-to-the-point descriptions. Ditch the objective statement altogether, but make sure your contact information is included.
Always List Your Accomplishments
An employer will already know your everyday duties in your previous positions. With that in mind, try listing your accomplishments in order to emphasize how you were successful during your career. Did you achieve your goals? Or, successfully bring a declining company back to life? Put that in your resume as it will undoubtedly spotlight your skills rather than simply demonstrating the responsibilities you’ve had.
Always Proofread
While it may seem obvious, you would be surprised how many great candidates get passed up for a position simply because of spelling and grammatical errors in their resumes. A hiring manager or recruiter might dismiss you immediately as careless or lazy if you have overlooked basic grammar rules. Resume writing doesn’t require the skills of a published author or poet laureate. You just need to ensure that you have run a grammar and spell check multiple times—with a program and with your own eyes—before submitting a resume to potential employers.
Stay Organized
A resume should not be a comprehensive, exhaustive list of someone’s history. Stick to a clear, logical progression that will market you as a perfect contender for the job. Also, be prepared to explain any time gaps in your resume’s job history, which can also be done in your cover letter. For example, if you have been in the industry for 30 years, your first job as assistant food and beverage manager does not need to be listed on the resume. Still, it is better served as a quick summary paragraph in your cover letter to cover the early years of your career.
Add Keywords
At this point, everyone is aware of the applicant tracking systems some hiring managers use. If you’re applying online, pull from the job listing. Even without the software, hiring managers tend to skim through resumes for job-specific keywords. If you’re working through a recruiter, listen to what qualifications they’re looking for. This shows that you’re attentive and a great match.
Keeping it Short, Sweet, and Simple
Knowing what to leave off your resume is key. Irrelevant jobs and accomplishments can give off the impression that you’re padding a weak resume. While it may be impossible to get the relevant facts down to a single page for established professionals, you shouldn’t have several pages. Look for redundant duties or accomplishments that can be eliminated from the resume but can still be used as talking points during the interview.