This Bold Plan Will Get You Noticed

Hiring managers, recruiters and HR departments often receive hundreds of resumes for one job opening, so how do you make your resume stand out? For job seekers, that's the six-figure question. A great resume can lead to professional success, while a sub-par document can leave you floundering. Discover three ways to spruce up your resume so humans take notice.

General Pointers

Before going into the three steps, you must be aware of one major aspect of recruiting that has changed since the advent of mobile devices and social media. Resumes are no longer static documents that rarely change. Recruiters and hiring managers constantly search for the best candidates for a job opening by perusing LinkedIn, social media websites, YouTube and other online avenues. A job seeker might receive an invitation to interview with an organization solely base on the information recruiters found about him online. Keep this in mind when following these three steps to creating a dynamic resume.

Step 1: Create a Visual Resume

A visual resume combines several elements into one personal brand. Therefore, as a job seeker, you should avoid posting a text-based resume in one corner of your portfolio and letting it sit there until someone takes notice. Instead, create a multimedia presentation across a couple of channels to increase your chance of capturing a recruiter's attention.

Start with the basics by getting a professional headshot. Place your headshot on your LinkedIn profile, Facebook page and YouTube channel. Consider adding a few action shots to your profile that show you doing what you love or working on a project. Include your contact information, keywords from job descriptions and testimonials from current and former colleagues in your job portfolio and on your social media pages. Consider building a custom-made website that houses all of your information, or post your portfolio on SlideShare, a visual medium for job seekers.

Step 2: Vet Your Chosen Industry

Research current trends in your chosen field. Comment on them, write blog posts about them and become an expert on major issues. Explain how companies can solve any dilemmas currently facing your industry. Use this information to create a visual presentation, and post it to your portfolio or SlideShare.

Step. 3: Make Your Case on Social Media

Job seekers should state their case on social media to gain attention and make an impact during their job search. After stating your case, tag influencers, recruiters and hiring managers within your field. Post your thoughts on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Create blog posts regularly, perhaps two to four times per month, to stays fresh in the minds of influential people. Don't be afraid to post some of your previous work or findings to social media as well.

Job seekers can make a case for a new position without saying they are looking for a position thanks to dynamic media such as personal websites, social media and blog posts. Follow the listed steps to increase the likelihood of someone noticing your credentials.

Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net