Are you ready to revamp your resume to impress recruiters? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some expert tips to make your resume shine. Today, algorithms embedded in career websites and job sites determine whether a candidate’s resume matches the job description.
In April 2023, the hiring season will kick off and you’ll need a well-structured, nicely formatted & impactful resume to help you land your next job. The process of writing a resume requires much reflection, planning, and thought. To be noticed, it is crucial to keep the language, the visual appeal, brevity, and search-friendly features in mind.
Here’s how to create a resume o impress recruiters that acts as their goodwill ambassador and leaves a positive impression.
➡️PURPOSE – First, it’s essential to understand your resume’s purpose. A resume should accurately reflect your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Employers should clearly see why you are the best candidate for the position. For example, highlight your most relevant achievements and experiences in the top quarter of the first page of your resume, so that employers can quickly and easily view your most relevant qualifications.
➡️CONCISE – Resumes should not exceed two pages for those with 10+ years’ experience, and one page for those with less than 10 years’ experience. Your resume serves as a snapshot of your profile. For instance, include only the most recent 5-10 years of experience that are most relevant to the position, and ensure your resume is concise, clear, and easy to read.
➡️AESTHETICS – Fab-looking resumes have the right structure, grammar, and sequence. It is always a pleasure for the reader to read a visually pleasing, organised and well-formatted resume. For instance, use bulle
➡️ATS TECH FRIENDLY – Today, most companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) bot to determine whether a candidate’s resume matches the job description. It is therefore crucial for resumes to be formatted in a way that an ATS can read and scan. For instance, avoid using images, tables, or charts as they are not compatible with ATS systems and could affect your chances of being seen by the recruiter.
➡️QUANTIFICATION – While there is a lot of emphasis on qualitative content & an appealing format, it is also crucial to include quantitative data or metrics. They enhance your resume’s credibility & measurability. For example, mentioning the number of people you have managed in a project, the percentage of sales increase you have achieved, or the budget you have managed, are all helpful metrics to add.
➡️SIMPLICITY – Avoid unnecessary jargon. Not everyone understands what an abbreviation stands for. Keeping the content simple and comprehensible would be an added advantage for you. For instance, instead of writing “implemented a CRM software,” you could state “implemented Customer Relationship Management software to improve customer analytics and engagement.”
➡️TAILORING VALUE ADDS – The value that you bring in through your skills and experience to your prospective employer, needs to be clearly mentioned early on within the Resume and tailored to the potential employer’s needs. For instance, instead of writing “created an online marketing strategy,” you could state “created an online marketing strategy with a focus on reducing customer acquisition cost and increasing customer loyalty.”
➡️KEYWORDS – An effective way to make your resume stand out is to include relevant keywords. ATS software is often used by recruiters to scan resumes for key phrases. Include keywords related to your job application to ensure that your resume will get through the first screening. For example, if you are applying for a job as a technical writer, you should include keywords such as “technical writing”, “documentation”, “style guides”, and “content management” in your resume.
➡️ACCOMPLISHMENTS – Highlight your accomplishments on your resume. Brag a little on your resume if you’ve achieved something impressive. Demonstrate your skills to recruiters by showcasing your abilities. For example, if you’ve managed a successful content project in the past, mention what the project was, the goal that was achieved, and how you contributed to the success of the project.
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