In today’s competitive job market, making your resume stand out is essential to getting noticed by potential employers. With so many applicants vying for the same position, your resume needs to be eye-catching, clear, and concise.
In fact, Just 33% of workers trust that applications for new jobs are ever seen by hiring managers. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to make your resume stand out from the crowd:
- Customize Your Resume
One of the most important things you can do to make your resume stand out is to customize it for each job or career path you apply for. Employers can quickly tell if you’ve used the same generic resume for every job you apply to, and this can make you seem uninterested in the position.
Tailor your resume to fit the job description, highlighting your relevant skills and experiences. This will show the employer that you’ve put thought and effort into your application and that you’re genuinely interested in the position.
- Use the Right Keywords
Many companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they even reach human eyes. These systems scan resumes for keywords that match the job description, and only those that pass this initial screening will be seen by hiring managers.
To ensure your resume makes it through the ATS, use keywords that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Look at the job description and include phrases or keywords that match the requirements of the job.
- Focus on Achievements, Not Duties
When listing your job experience, focus on your achievements rather than your duties. Instead of simply listing the tasks you were responsible for, highlight the accomplishments you achieved while in the role.
For example, instead of saying “Responsible for managing social media accounts,” say “Increased social media engagement by 50% in six months through targeted content creation and audience analysis.” This not only shows that you were successful in your role, but it also demonstrates your skills and abilities.
- Keep it Concise
Your resume should be no longer than two pages, and even that can be too long in some cases. Keep your resume concise by only including relevant information and using bullet points to break up long paragraphs.
Make sure your resume is easy to skim-read, using clear headings and subheadings to make it clear what each section is about. Use a clear and legible font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and avoid using fancy formatting or graphics that can make your resume difficult to read.
- Proofread
Finally, one of the simplest but most effective ways to make your resume stand out is to proofread it carefully. Spelling mistakes, typos, and grammatical errors can make a bad impression on employers and suggest that you’re not detail-oriented.
Read through your resume several times to ensure that it’s error-free. You might also ask a friend or family member to read it over to catch any mistakes you might have missed.
Making your resume stand out is all about customizing it to fit the job or career path you’re applying for. By following these tips, you’ll increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers and landing the job you want.