You may have all the qualifications to succeed in a job, but if your resume doesn’t showcase them, it may never make it to the interview pile. If you want your resume to stand out of the stack, here are some pointers that will help you capture the attention of HR professionals:
Focus on the wow factors
You are one among a multitude of resumes and the first cut is always the deepest. Hiring managers are looking for clear evidence that your resume is worth a closer look. To make that happen, you must focus your content on critical job skills and impressive achievements that set you apart from other candidates. Whenever possible, quantify achievements and tie them back to revenue growth, cost savings or efficiency gained. These are the wow factors that will make your resume break through the clutter.
Speak in their terms
A strong resume is one that answers the call of the hiring manager and caters to the criteria in the job description. Keywords play a critical role in creating a compelling resume, even more so in companies that use keyword-scanning software to quickly weed out unqualified candidates. The best way to grab their attention is to speak their language. Review the job description and strategically weave in keywords that will convey your experience in terms that speak volumes to the employer.
Get to the point
Wordiness will get you nowhere on a resume. If a quick scan doesn’t send the right signals, you may find your resume in the circular file faster than you think. Refuse to let that happen. Summarize your experience succinctly, concentrating on the relevant skills and experience that the employer is seeking. Don’t make the hiring manager hunt for key information buried in lengthy paragraphs. Use bullet points whenever possible and focus on the facts that make you the best candidate for the job.
Don’t settle for a mediocre resume. Give it the wow factor, use the right words and focus on the points that will make your resume stand out and command attention!