Create a Winning Resume With 3 Simple Strategies

If you're serious about landing a job, forget about crafting a single resume and sending it to multiple employers. This strategy is outdated and unlikely to yield positive results. To increase your chances of getting a call back, you must create a winning resume that summarizes your expertise and lets employers know exactly why you're perfect for the job. Toss your generic resume, and follow these simple strategies when crafting your updated winning resume.

1. Customize Your Document

A winning resume is a unique document that's tailored to the specific job for which you're applying. When the recruiter reads your resume, it should be clear to him that you read through the entire job description and have a full understanding of the role. You should even include details about the company in your document that you would only know if you reviewed the company's website and blog. For example, if you're applying for a job as an internet marketer and found out through the company's blog that this position was just created, include a career summary at the top of your resume expressing your enthusiasm about being the first internet marketer to join the team. A tailored resume can easily put you ahead of the competition, especially if you meet all of the job qualifications.

2. Quality Over Length

A winning resume is a professional, straightforward and high-quality document that's not too lengthy. If your resume is more than two pages long, you must condense it. Recruiters are busy, and the simple sight of a lengthy resume could land your document in the shred pile. Jot down all of the relevant skills and experiences you have that make you the perfect candidate for the role, and only include this information in your document. Also, only include recent jobs and experiences. A potential employer doesn't need to know about the part-time job you had in high school or the year you spent performing clerical work for a company in a completely different industry.

3. Use the Right Keywords

Using the right keywords in your winning resume is vital. Most employers use a resume tracking system to narrow down their list of applicants. These types of tracking systems search for specific keywords within application materials to determine who makes it to the next phase of the hiring process. You could be the most qualified person for the job, but if your resume and cover letter do not contain some of the same exact keywords listed in the job description, you won't make it to the next phase. Do your best to mirror the responsibilities that are in the job description, using the exact same words and phrases, when creating your winning resume.

Crafting a winning resume that gets results isn't that difficult. Follow these three simple strategies to ensure your resume captures the attention of potential employers and boosts your chances of landing an interview.

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