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The world today is growing more competitive by every passing minute. With the advent of technology and access to numerous online resources, acquiring skills and experience hasn’t remained as challenging as it was always believed to be. However, there are a few aspects that can set you apart from the rest while applying for a position. One of them is your resume. A well-designed resume can go a long way in making a good impression on your employer.
Here are some useful tips to make a mark with your resume:
1. Do your research before applying
Thoroughly read through the requirements and the background of the employer before you apply for the position. Add only the relevant skills to your resume and don’t beat around the bush. Format your details into bullet points. Understand that the reviewers prefer quality over quantity. An additional edge could be to attach links to your social presence like blogs, recognized work profiles, etc. Your online visibility and public persona could give you an impressive head-start.
2. Format your resume to meet the exact requirements of the position
It is always recommended to build and format your own resume. Please avoid using the readymade templates available online as it will just make you look disinterested in the job. Also, tailor your resume according to the position you wish to apply for. Taking the ‘one-size-fits-all’ route makes you a resume spammer, and you are not likely to be selected if your skills aren’t relevant to the given post.
Format your resume to make it concise and clear. Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to perform keyword searches and filter the entries, especially when there is a sizable number of them. Tables, fancy fonts, or images may decrease your chances of being detected by the tracker, and this could prove to be a disadvantage. Always opt for a text-based resume with relevant information mentioned in the body, and not in the header or footer.
3. Include only relevant information in your resume
Personalize your resume to reflect your achievements and how you would be a potential asset to the team. Try to incorporate powerful action words such as ‘launch’, ‘demonstrate’, ‘implement’, ‘illustrate’ etc., to exhibit your previous involvement in the field. Typos and incomplete information are a complete no-no and hence, make sure to proof-read your resume more than once. To grab your reviewers’ eye, state your former accomplishments instead of merely listing down the duties that the post demands. Tell them how you were/could be beneficial to the company and how you overcame challenges to do your job better. Besides, it always helps to include your previous employers’ descriptions, especially if they aren’t very prominent. This will help the reviewers gauge your level of capability and expertise in the field.
4. Don’t forget to mention your soft-skills
One common mistake that many entrants make is to not focus on presenting their soft-skills. You may not consider this important, but it is one of those implicit factors that could give you an upper hand over other aspiring candidates. Employers prefer those who have an eye for detail, are capable of handling pressure, take initiatives, are punctual, and work well in teams. Disclosing any ancillary roles you volunteered for apart from your regular work or any form of community service you participated in is a bonus to your resume. Make the reviewers see why hiring you is worth it.
5. Keep it brief and coherent
With that said, ensure that you don’t include too much technical jargon in your resume. Keep the content and layout lucid and crisp. Too much or too little information could hinder your progress. Maintain a welcoming style of presentation and don’t cram too many details on a single page. Organize particulars like your past work experience in chronological order, with the most recent ones displayed first. Besides, be specific in your details by including numbers and figures. Reviewers do not usually appreciate vague information. Moreover, double-check to verify that all the data that you’ve provided is accurate.
Remind yourself that your goal is to convince the reviewers why you are the best fit for their team. Your resume must speak for you. Thus, get started and put together the best version of yourself on paper. All the best!
