Getting your resume right is key to landing more job interviews. This guide will walk through how to make a resume that stands out from the pack.
Making a strong first impression with your resume is important. The following tips will help you create a resume that grabs employers’ attention:
Focus on Key Skills and Accomplishments
When reviewing your work history and educational background, focus on quantifying your achievements and impact. For example, instead of just listing your most recent role, say something like “Increased customer satisfaction scores by 15% in my role as a Sales Associate.” Quantifying your achievements with numbers helps resume readers understand the tangible value you brought to previous roles.
“Your resume should tell the reader what you can do for them, not what they did for you in the past.” ― Jim Citrin, Author
Here are some additional tips for highlighting your qualifications:
- Use a hybrid or reverse-chronological format. This organizes your experience from most recent to oldest while also pulling out relevant skill sections.
- customize your resume for each job. Research the job description and company to tailor your experience and qualifications to their needs.
- Highlight transferable skills. Even if a job role is not directly related, note any transferable soft or technical skills learned.
- Quantify accomplishments with numbers. Mention sales increases, projects managed, number of users/clients supported.
- Use powerful verbs. Verbs like “created”, “delivered”, “managed” show impact vs. passive verbs like “worked”, “assisted”.
You’ll also want to take advantage of visual elements like:
| Element | Purpose |
| Bold headings | Help readers scan the document quickly| |
| Bulleted lists | Break up blocks of text for easy scanning |
| Tables | Concisely display additional details like skills or education |
Customize your resume template to highlight your brand. A consistent color scheme, fonts and layout ensures readability. Lastly, have several people proofread your resume before submitting. Now you’re ready to start applying with a resume that gets noticed.
Final Tips for an Effective Resume
In conclusion, focus on quantifying your achievements, highlighting transferrable skills, and optimizing the visual design and readability of your resume. Remember – the goal is to clearly communicate your value and qualifications for the role in a way that catches the hiring manager’s eye. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating an engaging resume that lands more interviews. Let me know if you have any other questions!