Are you still thinking about how to get your resume noticed online? This article can help.
A well-written resume is a crucial step towards finding a job. It is the first and sometimes the only look an employer or HR manager gives a job seeker. Career experts say that the average resume is viewed for no more than seven seconds. If it fails to attract attention in that short moment, the job position is likely lost. And job seekers are increasingly resorting to unexpected methods in their quest to attract attention.
In this article, you will learn practical tips and advice on how to distinguish your resume from other job seekers.
1. One resume – one specialty
The most common mistake by job seekers is sending the same resume for different professions. For example, SEO specialists, content strategists, and copywriters each perform various tasks with texts, but their work aspects are completely different. Therefore, before creating a resume, decide in which direction you want to develop. If the choice is difficult, you can create two or three resumes for different positions. Most importantly, highlight the key skills and expertise for each specialty on your resume. How do you know that a particular skill is key? Browse through vacancies and find common ones. This will help you not only show your competence to the recruiter but also pass the machine scan. After all, large companies often use specialized programs that conduct an initial selection of resumes based on keywords.
2. Good formatting = 50% of success
Poorly formatted text is difficult to read, and the more the recruiter must strain their eyes, the less likely they will finish reading your document to the end. Therefore, you should edit the text correctly.
Font. The most common fonts are Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri. Font size from 10 to 12.
Divide your resume into sections. To make it easier for a recruiter to navigate your resume, divide the document into semantic blocks—for example, education, skills, experience, and additional information.
The sections can be swapped around depending on what carries the most weight for your candidacy. Recent grads can put more focus on their education by placing that section first, while specialists can start with their work experience in chronological order.
3. Get professional help
Creating a resume that gets noticed by the HR manager takes a lot of concentration and time. Therefore, to save time and avoid common mistakes, you can use an online builder such as Get Cover Letter to create a resume and cover letter. This specialized service also offers several job application document templates that differ in design, formatting, and content. You just need to choose the option you like and answer a few questions. After that, the program will create a perfect resume. The whole process takes less than 15 minutes.
4. Share your achievements
Have you been named “Best Employee” of the year or month? Won a grant and did an internship abroad? Indicate this on your resume. You can also write about the results you have achieved by implementing a new system or an effective strategy to reduce costs and increase revenue. Add numbers. For example, average sales bill or profit percentages.
5. Highlight only relevant experiences
Many applicants give the leading role to the “experience” field and write all their work experience. This overloads the resume. And if you also change jobs often, it may present you as an unreliable employee who will quit in a month or two. Therefore, indicate only that work experience that directly relates to the position for which you are applying.
In addition, in the field “experience,” you can indicate places of work and volunteer activities, internships, and freelance.
6. Add your LinkedIn profile
Usually, work profiles are created on LinkedIn. There you can talk more freely about your activities and the projects you worked on.
In addition to linking to your LinkedIn account, you can attach a link to your portfolio if your profession requires it. Also, to other social networks, but on the condition that they are professional and not personal.
And make sure all your links are active. Otherwise, the recruiter will not be happy about wasting time copying all the links and writing them in the browser.
7. Remove acronyms
Abbreviations in the resume are only acceptable if you have written the certificate or company’s full name before these. This is to make sure the hiring manager knows exactly what you are talking about.
8. Provide only relevant information
Some things you shouldn’t put on your resume, even if you were good at them. For example, you apply for a computer software developer position. In 1996, you were a guru on using Windows 95, but now this knowledge will lead you nowhere. The employer does not need to know about this out-dated information.
Therefore, use this space for more advanced knowledge and skills.
9. Don’t overdo it with decorations
You can use templates for getting your resume noticed by employers. But often, trying to stand out, applicants choose overloaded templates that only distract attention from the text in the document or make it unreadable. The best choice is a minimalistic style with one accent color.
Also, you should not decorate each block with different colors. This is not a rainbow but an official document.
10. Do not include your address
Recruiters may find it difficult for you to get to work and not invite you for an interview, even if you are suitable based on all other parameters.
11. Check if your contact details are correct
Sometimes it happens that you have pressed the wrong letter or number. You should double-check your contact details before submitting. In case of incorrect data, the recruiter will not be able to contact you.
12. Show your resume to family or a friend
When you write, it may seem like everything is perfect. But, in the process of writing, your eyes get tired, and you lose concentration, so you overlook mistakes. Ask someone to proofread your resume and rate it. Perhaps you will be advised to add something to remove inaccuracies or vice versa.
13. Document name
HR managers receive hundreds of resumes every day. Therefore, so that yours does not get lost, title your resume file with your name.
14. Cover letter
If you want to stand out from other candidates, then submit your resume with a cover letter. Employers do not always require it, but most wish to receive this document. Resumes with cover letters are usually considered first. It’s like an unspoken rule. You should send a cover letter to express your strong interest in this career and prove that you are the ideal candidate.
The cover letter includes information about your work experience, soft and hard skills, the knowledge that is confirmed by certificates. But if you want your CL to be an amazing text about your work activity and effective in grabbing the employer’s attention, focus on how all of these benefits will help the company grow and be productive. Of course, this does not guarantee that you will get hired, but it will increase your chances of getting an invitation for an interview.
Final Words
By following these simple tips, step by step, you can improve your resume and grab the recruiter’s attention. And when you are invited for an interview, a lot already depends on you.
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