Getting hired is a process that involves more than just a simple interview. Even before an employer contacts you, they start scanning your resume for evidence that you have what it takes to be one of their employees.
Considering that up to 40% of managers will scan your resume for less than a minute, you have to make yours stand out.
What exactly makes a good resume?
A good resume should be able to sell your skills even before you appear before a panel of interviewers. Below are tips on how you can market yourself and your skills through your resume.
Eliminate the Objectives
The objective of your resume is to help you get a job. No matter what you write, it all boils down to the fact that you are trying to secure your place in a given organization. Do not tell the employer that your objective is to get hired at their company. Neither should you highlight how you need to be part of an environment where your skills are used for mutual benefit because definitely, you get hired if you have the right skills. Further, avoid objectives that make it look like you will be using the job at hand as a catapult to push you to work for other companies. Scrap out this part of your resume and make better use of the space instead.
Highlight Core Competencies
Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan the resumes sent to them. You can simply miss out on a job opportunity because your resume does not stand out. To make your resume stand out, litter it with keywords or core competencies. These words define what the employer needs. Therefore, they can select the right candidates for the job thanks to the credentials and skills that they exhibit. If your resume does not contain key competencies, the ATS will likely toss your resume into the trash.
Format your Resume
Your resume might have all the right information, but a proper format is equally crucial. As we mentioned earlier, it takes an employer less than a minute to scan through your resume, and you do not want to miss out. There are many Resume Samples online that you can use to help you understand how to best format yours and make it brief, concise, and clear. Use visible fonts and highlight the important headings and centre them so that the employer has an easy time going through your resume.
Explain Job Details and the Results
Explaining to your potential employer what you do every day is not an easy task. However, you can do it at a glance by highlighting what you are responsible for at your company. Roles such as training, supervision, research, and analysis are essential and can help the employer understand if you are a perfect fit. Also, highlighting job results is vital because it helps define your work history further and backs up your potential. Highlight significant contributions and achievements, such as increased sales or talk about the awards you received at your job.
Wrapping Up
A resume that states roles but fails to show any results might have you looking like an average candidate. Follow these tips to create a perfect resume.
