6 elements that make your resume unique

Did you know that your resume creates the first impression of you in the recruiter’s mind? Write a strong resume, and you will come out as an attractive candidate. Send a lukewarm resume with your job application, and you will be rejected from the competition. This time, when you are creating a resume for your job search, add these six unique elements to your resume in addition to your education, skills, and work experience.

1. Core Competencies or Skills Summary

Your resume is only as good as the keywords you incorporate into it. Creating a key skills section or a core competencies section is the best way to display keywords front and center on your resume. This way, when a potential employer looks at your resume, they will see a summary of your skills and the experience you have gained over the years the first thing. Remember to limit your skills section to only 10-15 most relevant skills. Follow the priority order set by the employer in the job description when you list skills.

2. Volunteer Experience

Did you know that employers admire job seekers who list volunteer experience on their resumes? Volunteer experience on your resume will show potential employers that you are committed to serving the community. It also reflects your passion for giving back to the community. Volunteer experience helps recent graduates and high school students demonstrate work experience when writing a resume. If you are considering a career shift, your volunteer experience will help elaborate on your transferable skills for the job application.

3. Professional Development and Training

Create a separate section on your resume to demonstrate your professional development and training. If you are working in an industry that undergoes changes rapidly, such as technology, finance, or healthcare, training and professional development are essential for your resume. You should include your courses, certifications, and any other training that you have received for the job. Mention the name of the qualification, the institution that offered it, the relevant years, and related coursework for each entry.

4. Awards and Recognition

Creating a separate section on your resume for awards and recognition is a strong move to establish yourself as an ideal candidate for the position. Awards show employers that you have been recognized for your talents and hard work. Also, awards and recognition on your resume help paint you as a winner and an achiever instead of a doer. When you list awards on your resume, mention the name of the award, awarding body, and the relevant dates. Your academic awards generally go in your education section, but you can choose to mention them here as well.

5. Languages and Proficiency Levels

Did you know that some employers give priority to candidates who speak more than one language, especially for customer-facing roles? Mentioning your language skills on your resume will help you stand out from the competition. Speaking a second language will be a valuable skill for your resume if you are applying for a foreign job. Add the proficiency level alongside each language that you list on your resume. Be sure to include any certifications or tests you’ve taken to demonstrate your language skills.

6. Relevant Projects or Portfolio

Any projects you have completed that are relevant to the job you are applying for are valuable assets for your resume. They show employers that you are really competent at what you do. Projects can be of various types. You can mention any articles or papers that you have authored on relevant topics, any work projects you have led, or even your personal hobby projects related to the scope of the job. An easy way to lead potential employers to your projects is to add a link to your digital portfolio to your resume.