Make Your Resume a Perfect Fit for the Position

It can be frustrating applying to multiple jobs with no callbacks. If this is the case for you, it may be time to overhaul your resume. Busy hiring managers only have a few seconds to scan your application and determine if you're a proper fit; therefore, it is up to you to make it extremely clear what your qualifications are. Consider the following tips to amp up your resume for better results.

Don’t Be Afraid to Add Context

If you hold a nontraditional or extremely specific job title, it may be difficult for hiring managers and recruiters to determine the kind of work you've done. Don't assume your supporting bullet points will pick up the slack here — often, hiring managers don't give them much more than a passing glance. It's perfectly acceptable to add some context to help explain. A brief headline beneath your job title should do the trick. You can also change your job title to a more traditional, industry-accepted one.

Use Your Summary

The summary section of your resume is traditionally used by top-level executives who need to consolidate decades of experience, but anyone can take advantage of this valuable resume real estate. Scan the company's job description, compare it to your own qualifications, and include keywords, phrases and statements that communicate a clear fit. If you can, include the exact name of the desired position you're applying to, or a very close word or phrase. This not only makes it clear to hiring managers what you're all about; it also helps your resume make it past applicant tracking software.

Don't Bury the Lead

When constructing your resume, think like a hiring manager. What is the most relevant and urgent information they need to see? Place it front and center to grab the reader's attention right away. Unfortunately, hiring managers only give your resume a few seconds before deciding if it reflects the kind of candidate they're looking for, so don't make them search for pertinent information. If your desired position is sales manager, for example, make sure your amazing sales statistics and accomplishments are right at the top of the page. Education, volunteer experience or any other secondary info should be given lesser priority.

Try It Out

There's no need to wonder if your punched-up resume is clear enough. Once you've done your editing, send it to a friend or two to read. Let them guess what position you're applying for; if they guess wrong, your resume isn't communicating your intentions clearly enough. You can also submit your resume and the job description into an online word cloud creator such as Wordle. You should see a lot of the same keywords and phrases come out of the generator.

If you're not getting callbacks for jobs you know you'd be perfect for, your resume may be to blame. Make sure the information included within your CV makes your relevant skills and experience obvious to hiring managers. Taking the time to put together a compelling resume that shines a light on your qualifications is what it takes to rise above the competition.

Photo courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net