Job hunting is challenging these days. Employers get flooded with applications for every opening and may spend as little as ten seconds screening each resume. Therefore, your resume needs to stand out from the rest of the resumes to stand a chance at being shortlisted so you can get call backs!
 
Here are some suggestions that can help your resume stand out from the crowd and ensure that you get called in for an interview.
 
Formatting Your Resume

1. Start with a professional summary. Put your most important data up on top right after your name and contact information. A brief and compelling professional summary of your qualifications and skills will get the reviewer's attention and display what you can do for the company on the basis of your credentials and accomplishments.
   
   
2. Err on the conservative side. Take it easy on the formatting tricks. Use bold and italics sparingly so that the text is easy to read. A clean and professional appearance is usually the safest approach.
   
   
3. Be consistent. Make your document easy to scan. Use a consistent layout that makes your resume easy to follow and find all the important information at a glance like company names, dates, job titles and accomplishments.
   
   
4. Leave lots of white space. It's good to keep your resume to one or two pages, but even better if you do that while maintaining normal margins and 11-point fonts. Use bullets and leave some space between lines to make your resume look more inviting.
   
   
5. Consider a combination format. You may hear some experts advising that you use a functional format in which you stress skills rather than your work history. Surveys show that many employers still want to see the conventional reverse chronology so try using a combination of both to cover all your bases.
   
   
6. Take the multimedia route. Consider supplementing your traditional paper resume with a video or other digital content. Give people a link to your professional website, blog, or LinkedIn Profile.
   
   

Writing Your Resume

1. Emphasize keywords. Read the job posting carefully and integrate the keywords into your resume. This is important if your resume gets screened by an automatic tracking system, which will help it rank higher.
   
   
2. Customize your resume for each opening. These days, the competitive job market favors personalizing your resume as much as possible. Try to adapt your language to what you know about the company's culture and the kind of candidate they're seeking, while still being authentic about your true identity.
   
   
3. Quantify your accomplishments. The contribution you made in previous jobs is likely to be the most important factor in helping you get your next job. Focus on how you improved procedures, cut costs, won awards, earned promotions or brought in new business.
   
   
4. Use action words. As you're describing your accomplishments, try to start each bullet with a verb. This makes you sound more dynamic and makes your resume more interesting to read.
   
   
5. Be concise. Try to pack plenty of information into as few words as possible. Avoid any repetition or empty jargon. Keep your sentences short.
   
   
6. Proofread everything. Print out a copy of your resume to proofread. Read it backwards word by word. Give it to at least one friend or family member because a fresh pair of eyes may spot typos that have become invisible to you.

 
     7. Hire a professional resume writer. Using an expert service to help you stand out from the rest is an excellent idea if you are looking to advance in your career. A professional career consultant or writer can help streamline your documents so you can elevate in your industry or pivot your career.

The job market is tough, but a resume that looks good and quickly demonstrates your strongest selling points could help you rise to the top of the stack.

Give yourself the best chance to succeed by crafting a resume that will make your prospective employer want to learn more about you. If you need assistance with your resume or would like us to help you create an amazing professional resume on your behalf, contact us! We offer FREE professional resume assessments and would love to go over your resume with you to give you some valuable tips that will help you reach your highest professional potential. Schedule your free resume consultation here:
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By Victoria Rubio – VR Success Services
 
The average corporate job opening attracts over 250 resumes, according to the employment website Glass door. With that kind of volume, it’s little wonder that most resumes get looked at for 7 seconds or less.
 
If you’re looking for a new position, how can you increase the odds that a hiring manager will pay attention to your application long enough to appreciate what you have to offer?
 
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make sure your resume gets read. Study these suggestions before you reply to another job listing.
 
Tips for Editing Your Resume 
You can make your resume stand out from the crowd. Review it carefully before you start your job search and update it at least twice a year or after any major achievement.
 
Use these strategies: 

1. Use keywords. As you probably know, many companies use artificial intelligence to screen applicants. Clear the first hurdle by including keywords those robots are looking for. You can often figure that out by copying the language in the job advertisement.
   
   
2. Strengthen your professional summary.  Hiring managers are often pressed for time, so your summary may determine whether your resume lands in the reject pile or receives further consideration. Write a brief and compelling description of your background and what makes you an outstanding candidate.
   
   
3. Quantify your accomplishments. Numbers sound persuasive. Create bullet points that communicate your achievements with percentages and other statistics, when possible.
   
   
4. Simplify formatting. A little structure can make your resume easier to scan but avoid going overboard. Stick to a professional font, adequate white space, and helpful headings.
   
   
5. Ask for feedback. You may be so familiar with your resume that you overlook obvious typos. Ask a friend or family member to look it over and tell you what they think. Hire a professional to edit it, if possible.

 

1. Deliver it directly. Now that you’ve polished your resume, guide it to someone who wants to see it. Use LinkedIn and other sources to find the name and position of an appropriate contact, if it’s not given in the job listing.

 
Other Tips for Making Sure Your Resume Gets Read 
Keep in mind that your resume is just one ingredient in a successful job search. You need to maximize the rest of your strategy too.
 
Try these techniques: 

1. Assess your qualifications. Are you seeking positions that match your background and make sense in the context of your career path? You probably need to provide some explanation if you’re overqualified, under-qualified, or trying to change fields.
   
   
2. Customize your cover letter. This is where you can address such concerns and make the case for hiring you. Research the company, so you can discuss their specific needs and how you can help.
   
   
3. Add work samples. Give employers a preview of the impressive qualifications that won’t fit in your resume. Link your application to your personal website or your LinkedIn profile.
   
   
4. Obey instructions. Make a positive first impression by reading the application guidelines and following them. Show them that you’re considerate and easy to work with.
   
   
5. Follow up. Unless the ad says no calls, try to discuss the position further. Be prepared with substantive questions if someone has the time to speak with you. Be gracious and express your enthusiasm if they ask you to wait while they complete their process.
   
   
6. Leverage your network. One of the most effective ways to get an employer’s attention is to find a contact you have in common. Maybe you know someone willing to make a call or send a recommendation.

 
Even if you're a star performer, you may have to work on your resume to be sure it gets read. Making it easier for employers to recognize your value will help you to land more interviews and job offers.
 
If you would like some assistance writing and editing your professional career documents, contact us for a free assessment! We specialize in professional documents, services, and strategies that help our clients stand out as leaders in their industries so they can advance their careers exponentially!

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RESUME AND COVER LETTER CHECKLIST

Sending a resume that is professional, easy to read and gives a good overview of your skills will make a great impression on any potential employer. The same is true of a well-written and interesting cover letter.
Go over this checklist before sending your resume and cover letter:

• Start your resume with a professional profile. 

Take the time to think of a concise and original way to summarize who you are as a professional, and how your expertise makes you a leader in your industry
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• Provide the potential employer with several ways of contacting you. 

Create a professional email address and change your voicemail if it is not a professional message.

• Use bullet points and bold fonts to make the most important information stand out. 

Most recruiters will not take the time to read your entire resume, so ensure what pops out at them is concise and strategic.

• Use action verbs. 

Instead of describing yourself as a dynamic person, make this strength come through in the way you talk about your accomplishments. Instead of listing your duties, talk about how you “managed” or “oversaw” a project.

• The way you talk about your accomplishments is important. 

On your resume, use concise bulleted points to emphasize the challenges you overcame. In your cover letter, avoid using sentences that begin with “I.”

• Make your resume look professional. 

Choose a professional font, such as Times New Roman, Calibri, Helvetica, Georgia, Garamond, or Arial. Print your resume on high quality paper. Use a cream-coloured or off-white paper to stand out.

• Less is more when it comes to your resume. 

If an accomplishment or position isn’t relevant to the job you’re applying for, consider removing it. This is especially true of hobbies, student jobs, or volunteering.

• Follow standard formatting on your cover letter. 

Include your contact information in the top left corner, the employer’s information aligned right underneath it, the date, a formal greeting and a formal salutation and signature at the bottom.

• Bring new information into your cover letter. 

Rather than merely repeating information from your resume, explain how you heard about the position, why you want this job, and why you’re the best fit. Focus on what you can bring to the company.
Your resume and cover letter are the very first contact with a potential employer. Use them to your advantage to help you make a great first impression and stand out above your competition!
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Ready to elevate your career? Contact us for a FREE professional Resume and Career Assessment!

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