Get Your Dream Job With These 12 Resume Tips
We all want to land our dream job and have a career that interests us and that we love going into each day. The first step to this is your resume. So, here are 12 tips to improve it and set you up on the road to success.
1. Grab The Recruiter’s Attention
The first few sentences of your resume need to make a good impression on a potential recruiter. Use strong words, highlight the most relevant details or achievements, and think about which qualities need to be demonstrated in the industry you are interested in.
2. Write A Strong Summary
Your summary should be short and straight to the point. Explain how your unique skills, talents, and experiences will translate into the things the recruiter is looking for.
You can write a few sentences at the top of your resume, or use bullet points. This is where your most important qualifications should be highlighted.
3. Customize Your Resume
Don’t send out the same resume for every position you apply to. Take the time to customize your summary to address the skills the recruiter is likely to look for. You might also need to make a few changes to the rest of your resume, for instance to draw attention to a previous work experience that is particularly relevant to the position you are going after.
4. Use Keywords
Read the job description carefully and look for the keywords used by the recruiter. Some employers use software to automatically scan resumes for these keywords, while others will read resumes and expect to find these keywords. Using the same keywords as a potential employer shows you have the right skills for the job, and shows you’re speaking the employer’s language and will fit right in.
5. Skip The Objectives
Stating what your professional goals and objectives are is not relevant in most situations. Most professional resume writers suggest you use this space for other valuable information. Focus on showing employers what you can do for them, and talk about your objectives during the job interview if the recruiter asks questions.
6. Keep It Short
Your resume shouldn’t be more than two pages long. You will only need one page if you have limited work experience. Your list of relevant skills and the description of your most recent or most relevant positions should take up the most space on your resume.
7. Stand Out From The Rest
Don’t limit yourself to listing previous job responsibilities. Recruiters aren’t looking for job descriptions. They want to find out about the skills you developed thanks to previous work experiences and about your achievements. Tell recruiters how you excelled in your previous positions.
8. Use Numbers When You Can
If you can, add some numbers to show recruiters what kind of difference you made. Talk about sales numbers, conversion rates, or about how much money you helped a previous employer save.
9. References Are Available Upon Request
There is no need to list your references on your resume. Add a single line to let a recruiter know you can share this information if needed.
10. Your Personality Is Important
Your resume should give recruiters the impression that you are an interesting and dynamic person. There is no need to talk about personality traits, but look for ways to make your personality shine through when a recruiter looks at your resume. You could mention volunteer activities, or hobbies as long as they demonstrate that you possess certain skills.
11. Get Some Feedback
Have a friend look at your resume and ask for an honest opinion. Your friend might be able to spot mistakes you missed and will tell you whether or not they would consider calling you to schedule a job interview if they received this resume.
12. Don’t Forget To Proofread
Spelling and grammar mistakes won’t make a good impression on a potential employer. You might not notice mistakes until you go back to your resume later. You should also pay attention to the presentation. Make sure everything is consistent, properly aligned, and easy to read.