We know what you’re thinking; resumes are all the same. But you can make your resume stand out from the competition. What is essential for your resume to include? What can you do to create interest and get that callback?
Here are tips for making a resume go from good to great.
Keep It Short
Your resume doesn’t have to be a comprehensive list that includes every job you’ve ever had. The key is to keep it short and make it relevant to your desired position. A good rule of thumb is to go back only ten years. Feel free to leave off unrelated jobs like those you worked at while in high school or college. Focus on jobs similar to what you are applying for or have transferable skills that you can highlight.
Create an Original Template
A big pet peeve from many hiring managers or recruiters is when candidates use resume templates they found in Microsoft Word. Some of them add extra tables or other types of formatting that can make it difficult to import into their systems. Keep your resume simple, create an original design but leave off colors or images, and use bullets to help draw the eye to the most critical information.
Highlight Your Accomplishments
A trend for resumes now is to focus on accomplishments rather than simply listing job duties or skills. You want to show, not tell. Showcase how you used your skills in previous positions. For example, it’s great that you know how to use Microsoft Excel. Instead of simply listing it, share that you created inventory spreadsheets that helped organize the department and saved over $10,000 annually.
Include Data
Providing concrete details about how your experience benefited your previous employers is also a great idea. Like the example above, be sure to include numbers and data that can demonstrate your value. Include dollar amounts where relevant. Show how you save time, money, or improved processes. This will go a long way to showing a potential employer why you’re suitable for the job.
Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems
Don’t forget that most recruiters and companies utilize applicant tracking systems for their hiring process. These AI-assisted programs help hiring managers narrow down potential candidates by searching for keywords relevant to the job. You won’t appear in searches if your resume doesn’t work well with the ATS. Be sure to include relevant keywords in your resume.
Are you ready to put your best foot forward? Contact Nextaff to see what we’re working on today.
