Feeling frustrated because you have been sending countless applications but have not received calls for interviews. You are certainly asking yourself what you are missing. By making a few adjustments to your resume, you can significantly boost your chances of landing that interview. Here are ten tips to help you shine:
1. CUSTOMIZE YOUR RESUME: Tailor your resume to match the job description can make a world of difference! Use the exact keywords from the job description to capture the attention of the hiring manager, the recruiter or the Applicant Tracking System. I always recommend printing the job description and highlighting the essential requirements for the position. Very important to make sure you can satisfy those requirements to stand out. Be truthful, and don’t waste your time and the company’s time if you don’t have the skills, education, and professional background required for the position. Once you have checked that you are an excellent candidate for the position, adapt your resume using the keywords from the job description. It’s all about showcasing your best self!
2. LIMIT YOUR RESUME TO TWO PAGES MAXIMUM: Even with an extensive background, only capture the experience relevant to the position. Focus on the most relevant experiences for the position and any detail added must support your suitability for the role.
3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE FORMATTING: A polished resume stands out! Refresh your skills with MS Word to create a clean, professional appearance. Consistent fonts and a clear layout will do wonders. Avoid an overcrowded document but also pay attention to unnecessary space. A big NO to colors. If you need to use colors, they should be very subtle.
4. BE SUCCINCT AND CLEAR: Avoid long and complex sentences difficult to digest. Conversely write short, simple, and sweet sentences.
5. PROOFREAD YOUR RESUME AS MANY TIMES AS POSSIBLE: Request your entourage to review your resume. You certainly want to avoid irritating the Recruiter and or the Hiring Manager with some typos and grammatical errors.
6. LIST ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SECTION: Go beyond merely listing job responsibilities—highlight your accomplishments! Did you increase sales? Did you improve employee retention? What percentage of customers did you retain because of your excellent customer services? What are you most proud of? A resume with only a laundry list of projects turns out to be very dry and dull. Your resume should celebrate your successes and quantifiable results to truly showcase your impact.
7. INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT AND CORE COMPETENCIES SECTIONS: This is highly encouraged. Make sure your professional statement showcases your unique abilities. Under the Core Competences section, list all the relevant skills you’ve gained over the years. Again, sincerity and truthfulness are a must!
8. ADDRESS ANY EMPLOYMENT GAP UPFRONT: This can be done by listing any formal or informal learning completed when off the job. You can then explain afterward in your cover letter how the skills gained during the time off work can enhance your potential contributions to the new role.
9. ADD LINK TO YOUR PROFESSIONAL LinkedIn PROFILE: Before sharing your profile, make sure it looks professional. This is very important. If you have doubts, seek help from a professional. Remember a professional LinkedIn profile can complement your resume beautifully
10. ADD LINKS TO PROJECTS COMPLETED: Before doing that, make sure there isn’t any confidential clause associated with that project. The benefit of sharing your projects is that you show your hands-on experience and gives hiring managers a glimpse of your work in action.
Give these tips a try, and I’d love to hear how they enhance your job search experience!
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