We all know how important a good resume is for landing that dream job, but sometimes writing the perfect resume can be a bit tricky. Sure, we’ve all been warned about common resume mistakes—typos, grammatical errors, lack of specifics, but what are the things that will really help our resume stand out from the others? Here are our top 5 resume writing tips to follow to make that important first impression.
1. Don’t use a vague objective.
If you choose to include an objective on your resume, I would recommend stating it in the cover letter. Make sure it’s specific, relevant and focuses on the employer’s needs. Your objective should be targeted to the exact position and industry to which you’re applying. I like to think of it as a branding statement. What would you say about yourself in your 60-second elevator pitch?
2. Highlight your accomplishments instead of duties.
Your resume shouldn’t be a copy of a job description. Employers are looking for what you’ve accomplished in your various activities. They want to know your measurable successes to the greatest extent possible. Even if you are not in a quantitative field, you can still quantify your experience. Think about how your work impacted the business. Here are some examples of these could look like:
· Reduced marketing budget by 15% from the previous year while generating revenue growth.
· Coordinated and executed 5 events that reached a total of 50,000 potential customers.
· Reorganized 10 years worth of unwieldy files, making them easily accessible to department members.
3. Don’t attempt a one-size-fits-all resume approach.
Employers expect to see a resume tailored to the position they are hiring for. If you don’t do that, you run the risk of having your resume end up in a recycle bin. Your resume should be tailored to clearly show how and why you fit the position in a specific organization.
4. Get inspiration from the job description.
Read the job description to which you’re applying for buzzwords or phrases to include in your resume. Recruiters and hiring managers will be reading your resume for these keywords. Highlight your relevant experience by taking the time to tailor your resume accordingly.
5. Stand out from your competition.
We all know today’s job market is extremely competitive so make sure you stand apart from your peers. And let’s face it: resumes aren’t exactly the most enthralling reading material. A successful resume is one that demonstrates your strength in written communication and differentiates you from other candidates. Make yours more attractive by varying verb use. I like to use the thesaurus to expand my verb vocabulary.
Happy resume writing. We would love to hear thoughts, comments, additional tips you would like to share below.
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