A resume that stands out is an essential part of any successful job application. Even in the digital age, a well-written resume is important to support your job search. Follow these tips to make recruiters more likely to notice your resume.
1. Avoid Jargon
If your resume is full of company jargon that recruiters don't understand, they're likely to put it aside rather than taking the time to work out what you mean. To avoid your job application going to waste, always explain what you mean clearly without resorting to jargon or confusing acronyms.
2. Tailor Your Resume
Every time you send out a new job application, you should review and revise your resume so it closely matches the job requirements. Recruiters want to know that you have the right skills for the particular role they're trying to fill. They don't necessarily care about your experience in other industries unless it's equipped you with transferable skills. Trim and reformat your resume every time you apply for a job to draw attention to your most relevant experience.
3. Be Concise
In a digital age, recruiters want to see an executive summary of your relevant experience at the top of your resume. This summary should include information that shows you're the best candidate for the job. The rest of your resume should briefly expand on the information you gave in the executive summary.
4. Use a Professional Design
To ensure the best possible chance of job application success, your resume should have a clear and simple format. Use a traditional font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, instead of something wacky like Comic Sans, and include bullet points to break up long paragraphs of information. Use bold or capitalization to highlight employer names and job titles but avoid the temptation to use different colors or fonts to make your headings stand out.
5. Save as a PDF
PDF is a standard format that most recruiters accept. Unlike editable file formats, such as .doc or .txt, a PDF format ensures that all your formatting shows up correctly on the recruiter's computer or mobile device. Always send your resume as a PDF, unless the job application instructions ask for a different format. Of course, you should also keep an editable version of your resume on your own computer so you can revise it before sending it out with your next job application.
By following these steps, you can make your resume stand out on a recruiter's desk. A well-designed, clear and concise resume can support your job application and increase your chances of success in your job search. Use these tips to make your resume as strong as possible before you send out your next job application.
Photo courtesy of mcamarcus813 at Flickr.com
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