Whether you are actively seeking a job or content with your current position, it is important to continually refresh your resume. Resumes are the determining factor as to whether a hiring manager will contact you for an interview or not. So, the question is, how do you make your resume stand out among all the others? Here are a few tips that can help:Keep to one page
A resume is a snapshot of your work history and credentials. In the interview, the recruiter will be able to ask you more in depth questions about your experience so you don’t need to have everything written. Keep your experience relevant but concise and on one page.
Bullet Point Highlights
Bullet point lists under your “Experience” section should follow these premises:
- Use numbers and facts in your bullet points to quantify your achievements. For example, by what percentage did you exceed your goals?
- Keep a maximum limit of five bullet points per work experience. Even if you have worked at one job for a while, curate your bullet points to highlight your most impressive work.
- Turn your bulleted statements from duties to achievements by adding the results and benefit you provided the company.
- Mix up your word choice and don’t use all the same verbs when beginning each bullet point. For more on powerful verb choice, click here.
Use Keywords
Look up the job description for similar positions to yours and find out what the keywords are for your industry. If you are looking to apply for a new position, implement the keywords found in the job description in your bullet point list if applicable.
Format Correctly
There are a few basic formatting rules to follow when drafting your resume, such as:
- Use a basic, easy to read font such as Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond, and Cambria. Alternate fonts can look unprofessional and difficult to read.
- The margins should be 1 inch to no smaller than .5 inches. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 point for everything. The only exception is your name can be larger than 12 point font.
- Underline, bold or capitalize headings to help them standout.
- Use color sparingly or not at all. If you would like to add some color, consider small, color logos of the companies you previously worked for.
Edit and Proofread
Some of the most obvious mistakes people make with their resumes are spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. Have multiple people proofread your resume before sending it out. Hiring managers may draw the conclusion that you aren’t thorough or detail oriented if there are obvious errors.
What tips do you have? Comment below if you have any additional tips for improving resumes. Tags:
finding jobs,
job search tips,
keywords,
resume tips 