Image by glenngould via Flickr
Getting your resume read is the first step to landing your next job.
These days, empolyers are being swamped by resumes. For every job opening they post, they can count on receiving hundreds of resumes. Dealing with this type of volume is tough and many resumes get thrown out without even being read. So, what's an eager job seeker to do?
The best way to improve your chances of getting the job is to make sure that your resume gets read. It's really that simple. If the hiring manager doesn't read your resume, there is no way that they are going to call you for an interview. Your chances at the job end when your resume ends up in the trash. However, there are a few things that you can do to make your resume stand out and keep that from happening.
Of course, just because they have read it doesn't mean you'll be asked to interview, but it certainly raises your odds. If you aren't qualified for the job and you don't think it would be a good fit for your skills and talents, you shouldn't be applying in the first place. But, if you have the experience and qualifications they're looking for, here are 4 tips to make your resume stand out:
- Think about design - Your resume should be visually appealing. I know that it's hard to be judged on looks alone, but when it comes to your resume, you have to make sure that the document looks good. This means that you'll want to choose a clean, nice looking template. Make sure that your margins are aligned and that there are no odd spacing errors or grammatical errors.
- Be eye catching - Your resume isn't going to be read completely at first. Instead, the reader will probably just scan over it. This means that you need to make it easy for them to see the most important points. For example, if the job listing is asking for an accountant with more than 5 years experience, make sure that your accounting experience is easy for them to spot. A good idea is to put your most relevant experience on the middle of the first page. Many studies have shown that people look first at the middle of the page and then scan to the top and read toward the bottom.
- Make it easy to read - The traditional resume that lists every job and all of your responsibilities is time consuming for the reader and difficult to understand with just a quick scan. With this in mind, make sure that your job descriptions read more like a quick fact sheet rather than a long, dry biography. Also, keep in mind that the person reading it may not know what your previous company does. List the company name, give a brief description of what the company does, and then list the main points of your experience using bullet points.
- Promote your achievements - Just getting a hiring manager to read your resume isn't enough. You will want to make sure that you promote the things that will make you the most attractive to that specific employer. Your resume should be targeted to the position by including measurable achievements that relate to that particular job opening. Remember that your goal here isn't just to show that you are a great employee, but to show that you are the best person for the specific job. Be sure to include measurable examples of past successes rather than dry job descriptions. Keep in mind that that the reader is trying to determine if you have the neccesary experience, skills and record of success as it relates to the job opening.
Making your resume stand out takes a little more time and thought, but it really pays off. Look at it as the first project you will deliver to your next employer. With that in mind, make sure that everything you do demonstrates your eye for detail and your professionalism. What other things do you think help a resume stand out? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for FinancialJobBank. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!