Recruiters spend mere seconds on their first review of candidates’ resumes – and may not see them at all until after they’ve passed through an applicant tracking system (ATS) – software that handles initial screens as the first part of a company’s recruiting and hiring process. To help ensure you get onto the short list for an interview, you need to make sure your resume really stands out and sets you apart from the competition.
Here are some tips to consider so you can make this happen:
Keep your resume simple, clear and concise.
The ideal resume is no longer than two pages. Include only information that is relevant to the job for which you are applying, and that which will make you stand out as perfect for the role. Avoid any redundancy or fluff.
- Also avoid company or industry jargon or abbreviations that are not universally recognized.
- Include a headline or executive summary of your experience and qualifications at the top of your resume. Be judicious in deciding which information to include.
Tailor your resume to the job.
As you polish up your resume before submitting it, read the job description thoroughly and match your verbiage to keywords. For example, if you have experience in training and the JD asks for a learning and development background, use that exact wording. Highlight or move relevant details to the top of a section.
- If your previous work experience is not relevant to the job description, you’ll need to get creative and frame your skillset as being transferable to a new role, field or industry.
Quantify your accomplishments.
Use numbers and specific data when you describe your accomplishments on your resume. Exactly how much product did you sell monthly? How much money did you save your company? How many people did you train or manage? These figures highlight the impact you had and the successful results yielded.
Check your formatting.
Your resume should look clean and professional. Keep your design simple and aesthetically appealing.
- Stick to standard fonts such as Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri or Helvetica, in 10 or 12 point font size. This helps ensure optimal readability.
- Black text on a white or ivory background is best. If you do add a third color, choose something conservative and use it the same way.
Proofread and perfect your resume.
Of course, you’ve been over every point on your resume and probably edited it several times yourself. But it helps to enlist a fresh, objective set of eyes. So ask a trusted friend or family member to read and critique it before making your final revisions. An error-free, easy-to-read resume demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail, two deal-breaking qualities in any candidate considered for hire.
At PrideStaff Fresno, our focus is on finding the right career fits for professionals in areas including accounting, finance, administration, IT, insurance, management, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and more. Our services include resume preparation and personalized coaching throughout your search process. Read our related posts or contact us today to learn more.