A great resume will grab the attention of the HR department and anyone involved in the hiring process plus will keep your name at the top of the list. However, the secrets to building a solid resume are not widely known. Use the tips below to refine yours, so you can land the job of your dreams.
1. Customize It
Your resume should never be sent out exactly the same way more than once. Pay special attention to the job description, requirements, and company. Then, add in details which are relevant to the specific position.
2. Craft a Cover with a Personal Tie
Use the cover letter as an opportunity to showcase why you’re the best candidate for the position and provide a personal tie-in. You can talk about why you’re excited about the company, why you think you’re a great fit, special achievements related to the job, or unique skills you bring to the table.
3. Focus on the Flow
Unless you’re a graphic designer, avoid the temptation to use odd layouts, unique fonts, or a rainbow of colors to distinguish your resume from the stack. Instead, opt for a clean presentation with headings and bullet points to break things up and make it easy to scan.
4. Streamline
Remove old jobs and details that aren’t relevant to the position you’re currently applying to. It’s also best to keep it all on a single page whenever possible. This makes it easier for someone reading your resume to follow it and pull out key traits that are important to him or her.
5. Link and Load It
Have examples of your work, online portfolio, business website, or LinkedIn profile? Add links on your resume so that employers can find more information if they’re interested. Load in numbers and keywords too. Instead of saying you managed a team, make a note of how many people you supervised. Instead of saying you helped the company boost profits, provide hard figures. You can integrate words (keywords) from the job description and others like it to make your resume resonate with the reader as well.
6. Review for Errors
Don’t rely on your word processor’s built-in spelling and grammar checker. Use a dedicated service like Grammarly or WhiteSmoke to catch mistakes. Whenever possible, have another person review it for flow and readability too.
7. Follow Standardized File Protocols
Consider saving your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting isn’t lost or garbled by switching between different word processors or versions of Word. It’s also helpful to create a file name with your name and position in it, so it’s easier for employers to share and locate.
Send Your Resume to The HR Source
If you’re looking for more tips, want thousands of jobs at your fingertips, or would like to tap into our Resume Wizard to enhance your resume, register with The HR Source today.
