Looking for a job isn’t the best thing in the world but, unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees and adulting is sometimes necessary *sigh.* When it comes to applying for a new job, your resume is the one thing that can make or break your future. It’s important to keep in mind that you’ll be sometimes competing with hundreds of other applicants for the same position.
A famous person once said, “You will never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Think about it, it’s the first thing that your potential employers see and it represents who you are as a person and as a professional. Here are some tips for writing a resume that will set you apart from the rest.
Nail the basics
When an employer is filtering through hundreds of resumes, it’s important to make sure that you have all the necessary details such as your contact info, name and skill summary within immediate eye reach. Make sure that you have perfected the basic formula for a traditional resume right off the bat. Employees don’t want to have to play hide and seek with the essentials. This is one of the most important tips that you should keep in mind.
Be strategic
It pays off to be strategic and to customize your resume to each individual job. Remember that you have a page or two where you market yourself to your potential employers. What might be relevant experience for one job might not be for another, so do some cutting and pasting to make sure that your resume is as relevant as possible.
Use numbers
If you are including a paragraph about the impact and success that you have made in previous jobs, then try to be as specific as possible by giving them exact numbers. For example: ‘I increased sales by 50% sounds much more appealing and specific than ‘I helped to increase sales.’ Don’t be scared to really highlight your achievements.
Proofread
Enlist the help of a family member or a friend (preferably with editorial background) and get them to proofread your resume before sending it out. When you’ve worked so intensely on something you sometimes oversee your mistakes. Try to have your resume reviewed by a fresh pair of eyes before applying to the job.
Leave out references
Rather than including your references as a standard, write “references available upon request” instead. This way if they get in touch with you, you will know that you have passed preliminary stages and you can hand-pick specific references depending on how they come across.
Be interesting
The worst thing you can do is send a piece of paper that doesn’t leave an impact on anyone, so try injecting some of your personality into the resume. Try to showcase a little of yourself in your personal statement or cover letter, but always sound professional and try to pick things about yourself that relate to the position for which you are applying. Ty to make them see you as a person rather than just a name.
