Your resume plays a big role in your job search. It’s often what employers will base their first impression on, and it’s usually what determines whether or not you land a job interview. Because it holds so much weight, writing your resume can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be.
Following these steps can make the resume-writing process a lot easier and help you land your dream job!
- Focus on the next job more than your past.
The resumes that get interviews are the ones tailored to each job. Read the job descriptions of each job you apply to, and from there choose which skills, experiences, and achievements you think make the most sense to highlight. This won’t change your work history or job titles, but instead, it will get you focused on related or transferable skills.
- Focus on results and achievements—not responsibilities.
You can list some of your responsibilities in previous roles, but what recruiters really like to see is how you were able to positively impact the company.
- Remember numbers are your friend.
When highlighting those results, focus on data and numbers. Use pieces of quantifiable information that highlight your accomplishments and track record of success. If you increased new business by 25 percent in the first quarter, put it on your resume. If your targeted marketing campaign generated 150,000 new leads, make sure that information is on your resume.
- Bold key items in a resume.
When highlighting those achievements, bold your successes. Recruiters tend to scan resumes first, read second. When copy is bold, it stands out, and the recruiter will naturally be attracted to that copy—and those results.
- Keep it simple and straightforward.
The recruiter is often skimming your resume to determine whether you can perform the functions of the role. Instead of writing a long list of tasks and responsibilities for every position you’ve ever held, just include those few that relate to the position you’re applying for.
- Include a relevant list of technical skills.
Every job or industry whether it be marketing, administrative, construction, finance, or legal, they all use software programs as part of its day-to-day operations. Create a separate section on your resume that includes a bullet point list of relevant tech and or software skills. Include Excel, Google Adwords, or Salesforce. Whatever is relevant in your profession or industry, highlight it. Employers like it when new hires already know how to use similar programs the company uses internally because they can spend less time training new hires on how to use these programs.
- Move your education under work experience.
Unless you are a recent college grad, move your education towards the bottom of the resume. Employers usually care more about work experience, related technical skills, and proven results over education.
- Keep it fresh.
Document your career successes and achievements over time. Every few months, you should take a minute to tweak and update your resume. It’s good to keep it current, even if you aren’t actively job searching—you never know when you’ll need it for a promotion or volunteer opportunity.
- Proofread again and again!
Spelling, grammar, and spacing mistakes can be costly.
- Print it out and read it from top to bottom.
- View it on a computer and zoom in to 150%.
- Read every sentence of the resume out loud.
- Take a break and read it another day. Sleep on it, review, edit, and then apply/send.
Writing a resume doesn’t have to be difficult. Make your resume stand out, get an interview, and land your dream job.
