Just how important is your resume?
It’s a potential employer’s first impression of you. It marks the difference between getting your foot in the door for an interview and having your chances end right then and there. So, important only begins to describe it. You need a resume that’s compelling, outstanding, flawless and delivers a wow! factor that makes hiring managers sit up and immediately take notice.
- You’ve probably heard that recruiters spend only about seven seconds initially reviewing a job seeker’s resume. This further underlines the importance of getting it right, right from the start.
Here are some helpful tips:
Keep it concise.
As you write your resume, make sure to include only information that will help you stand out among the competition. A single page is ideal, although you can extend your resume to a second page if it serves this purpose.
- Most industry experts recommend including jobs from the past 10 to 15 years, though this timeframe will obviously be shorter if you’re new to the workforce.
- Highlight only relevant skills and experience. This includes transferable skills and helpful links; for instance, to your work portfolio if applicable.
Demonstrate results with numbers.
When you describe your work experience, quantify your story with metrics that showcase your success. For instance, stating that you “completed more than 50 cold calls per day with an average 5 percent conversion rate” is much more impactful than saying you “boosted sales significantly” in a position.
Optimize your text with keywords.
Increasing, companies are using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to collect and complete the first scans of resumes. These systems automatically seek out keywords from job descriptions and, if they don’t find them, reject resumes just as automatically. You can copy and paste job descriptions into a word-cloud generator to identify the most frequently used terms, so you can be sure to weave them into your resume.
Be strategic about listing your social media profiles.
Your social profiles can be a powerful recruitment tool – or they can backfire and work against you. Include links to them on your resume only if they are 100 percent professional and will complement your experience and position as an expert in your field.
- If your profiles don’ fit this description, leave them off your resume. While you’re at it, clean them up – and make sure anything you don’t want viewed by hiring managers is set to private.
Proofread, proofread, proofread!
Last but not least, triple check your resume for proper spelling, grammar, punctation and formatting. Then, have a trusted friend, family member or colleague do the same. An error free, reader friendly resume further demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail.
Partner with an experienced career counselor at PrideStaff Fresno to perfect your resume and fine tune every step in your job search, from identifying the right opportunities to applying, following up, interviewing, and finalizing and negotiating offers. Reach out to us today to join our network and learn more.