(Newswire.net — November 30, 2022) — You’ve recently sent out more than 15 resumes, but you’ve only received one invitation to an interview. Does this sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Just a few tricks will advance your resume among other candidates.
We’ve compiled the best resume tips and strategies in this guide. These techniques will help you stand out, get more invitations, and get the job you want.
The best resume writing tips and techniques will help you stand out quickly to employers (graphic source). Note that this article is part of a series on Creating a Great Resume (complete guide). Here are the guides in that series that are a great starting point. Important strategic tips for preparing to create a resume
Tailor Your Resume To Each Job Posting
Read the job posting carefully. Highlight frequently repeated phrases, corporate culture cues, and anything that resonates strongly with your professional experience.
“Include their ‘About Us page, company news, and annual revenue reports in your research. These sources are a treasure trove of clues about corporate culture, goals, and objectives,” says Sarah Dowzell, human resources specialist at COO Natural.
Send The Right Document
Are you applying for a position in the United States? Is it an academic, research, or government job? Did they ask for a resume or curriculum vitae (CV)? Read the job posting instructions. If you don’t know what to send, read this guide:
Don’t Have All The Skills You Need? Not A Problem!
Are you turning down career opportunities if you don’t have enough of the skills they need? Big mistake. Companies know that there aren’t candidates with all the skills and characteristics they need. What’s more, they get a ton of applications from absolute beginners.
So what’s wrong with missing one or two of the right skills? Nothing, so don’t let that stop you. It all comes down to how valuable an employee you can be based on your resume.
Emphasize your personal qualities and broad application skills. If you have the right experience, but not with the company, that’s fine. Additional projects, volunteer experience, and academic work or projects are fine.
Don’t Write Your Entire Life Story
Your resume is not a diary describing in detail all the positions and responsibilities you’ve had. Think of your resume as a summary of your current career and future potential.
Place The Most Impressive On The Top Half Of The Strip
“The top half of the strip” is the area people see before they scroll down. In print, this is the first half of the document or the top half of the folded newspaper. It’s the first thing a recruiter sees after reading your resume. Use this part wisely.
Don’t take up space with a big header with your name and contact details. This information is usually placed at the top anyway, so you don’t need to use a large font. This sample professional resume has a personalized header, but space is used to a minimum, so your brief statement and work experience remain on the top half of the page:
Use Number Symbols Instead Of Text
Numbers stand out in a sea of text, which also makes your resume easier to read. Add numbers, stats, percentages, metrics, or ranges to any skill or achievement on your resume to make it more specific.
Use The Power Of Words Right
Loud words are impressive, but only if they are used in the right context and with the right frequency. Don’t forget these tips and guidelines for resumes when using buzzwords:
- Check the meaning of the word in the dictionary. Don’t use it just because it sounds impressive. Don’t use words like “revolutionize,” “pioneer,” or “dissuade” unless you can replace them or there are other words available.
- A bad example of using buzzwords: “Improved interaction between developers and database administrators with a revolutionary documentation process.”
- The word “revolutionary” seems to sound a little too loud in this context, doesn’t it? Don’t use buzzwords in every thesis of your resume.
- Avoid buzzwords that are difficult to understand.
- Understand the nuances of the buzzword you choose. For example, “write off” means you have communicated through emails or letters. The word “communicate” means both verbal and non-verbal communication.
If you can’t make a resume yourself, a specialized service can help. Resume Gets can help you with any job.