If you’ve been applying for jobs and not getting any callbacks, it might be time to take a closer look at your resume. Chances are, it’s in need of a refresh.
In this blog post, we will give you 6 more tips to help get your resume noticed by potential employers. The First 6 can be found in the previous Blog Posting. With the right mix of the latest trends and tried-and-true best practices, follow along and watch your job prospects soar!
7. Resume Summary/Objective
A Resume Objective should be no longer than four sentences long while a Resume Summary can be up to six sentences long.
Including a Resume Objective or Resume Summary at the top of your resume is a good way to highlight what you can bring to the job role. It showcases to the hiring manager how the skills and experience you have aligns as described in the job description.
This is a good way to show the employer that you have read and researched the job role and is especially important as it highlights how your skills and personality can be an asset to their organization.
8. Stick To The Facts
Being honest in your resume is important because, if you did commit false representation, you would eventually be found out, creating a bad image of yourself and essentially ‘shooting yourself in the foot.’ Remember, you are not the only one who wants the job you’re applying for – this makes you expendable.
It’s best practice to only include facts in your resume that you can support. Stick to what can be proven and avoid any exaggerations or opinions.
9. Use Action Words
“I got my previous employer 20+ new clients in the last month” sounds okay, however, “I gained over 20 new clients for my previous employer” sounds so much better and grabs the attention of the reader.
Using action words like this leaves the reader with a lasting impression of your ability to bring new business opportunities to their organization. It also allows you to take control of the narrative, telling the employer what you did rather than what they should be assuming. Resumes that use more active wording appeal more to hiring managers, especially when it comes down to how you can benefit their company.
10. Including Quantifiable Objectives
Which sounds better? “I maximized profits and reduced costs” or “I maximized profits by 10% and reduced costs by 5%.”
The latter sounds more quantifiable and impressive. Summaries that can be measured or shown through statistics are always a good way to go as this leaves less room for interpretation on the behalf of the hiring manager and improves your credibility. It also showcases your ability to handle data and numbers, an important skill in many business-related job roles.
11. Showcase Your Accomplishments
Including a section of your resume that showcases your accomplishments is an excellent way to show the employer what you are capable of. This can be done in a number of ways, such as:
- Listing the projects you have worked on.
- Awards or accolades.
- Received promotions at previous jobs.
Remember, keep your accomplishments listed relevant to the job that you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, list any successful marketing campaigns that you may have spearheaded. If you are applying for a job in human resources, list how many people you successfully hired and/or trained during your time at previous employers.
The accomplishments you showcase demonstrate how you have contributed in previous job roles and how you can contribute to the company you are applying to work for.
12. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!
Typos and grammatical errors are an instant turn-off for employers.
Before you submit your resume, you should proofread it at least twice and consider asking someone else to proofread It for you. This will help ensure that there aren’t any embarrassing mistakes on your resume that could ultimately cost you the job opportunity you’ve been seeking.
Wrapping it All Up
So, there you have it, 12 tips that will increase the noticeability of your resume using the latest trends and best practices. Utilize these tips and you will surely be on your way to landing that job interview!