Five tips to make your resume stand out
Tweet
Did you know that 84% of resumes get rejected due to impersonal applications? Another major reason that applicants get rejected from the competition is due to not customizing their resume for to job (54%). 45% of job applications get rejected because candidates do not attach a cover letter. Here’s what you can do to make sure your resume doesn’t end up in the rejected pile:
1. Tailor your resume for each job
This is a no-brainer after the statistics we just pointed out. If not customizing your resume gets you rejected from the competition, the best thing you can do to stay in the running is to tailor your resume for each employer. Ensure that your resume summary highlights the best skills, qualifications, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the position. Write a clear key skills section that mentions the right keywords from the job description. Emphasize relevant experience in your resume career summary.
2. Add the right keywords
Keywords play a vital role in your job search. Once you spot an advertisement for a job that you really like, take the time to analyze the job description. Notice the keywords and phrases the employer has used to describe the requirements for the role. Take note of the language the employer has used and employ the same language to describe your experience in the resume. If you have trouble finding the right keywords for your resume, hop onto the career advice page of Resume Mansion where we have shared many informative articles on the topic.
3. Write a winning key skills section
The best place to incorporate a considerable amount of keywords into your resume is in the key skills section. Mentioning the right skills on your resume will definitely get you noticed by the hiring manager during the resume review. Clearly label your key skills section as “Key Skills,” “Skills,” or “Core Competencies.” This will ensure that the Applicant Tracking System will notice all your skills. List your skills in a bulleted list. Follow the priority order set by the employer in the job description. This means mentioning the skills that the employer has demanded first in the job posting, at the start of your skills section and following with the other skills.
4. Narrate your career story
Sure, a resume that lists five impressive posts is compelling. But do you know what will impress a hiring manager more? Narrating the story of how you started as a manager in a department store chain and climbed your way up to being a member of the director board of the conglomerate. Hiring managers like when applicants show their potential through their resumes. So, try to highlight the professional achievements and the roles that display your drive to achieve more through your career.
5. Avoid resume red flags
While you add all the right things to your resume, it is important to remove all the wrong elements from the document. Did you know that some common resume mistakes can cost you the job? One such resume red flag is not explaining your employment gaps on the resume. Employers are not opposed to hiring candidates with career gaps, they just want to know the reasons behind your resume gaps. So, list your employment gap on the resume and provide a brief reason for it. Another resume red flag you must avoid is giving the appearance of job hopping. If you have shifted careers or changed jobs quite a few times during the year, it may appear as job hopping to the readers. You must emphasize the very best of your professional achievements in each role and showcase how you have gone for better job titles each time.
PREVIOUS ARTICLES
Five benefits of writing a cover letter for your job application
Writing a resume after age 50