Are you having trouble getting offers or how about call backs from resumes you have submitted? If you haven’t had anyone call you it’s time to update your resume. Each time you’re looking for a job it is a good idea to refresh your resume. Here are 9 tips to follow to bring out the best in your resume.
1.) Coordination skills
There are reasons why plaid does not go with stripes. It’s too wild and distracting. So, just like you would an outfit, you’ve got to coordinate your resume for the job you are applying. Take the wording they used and put it in your resume. The recruiter or hiring manager is looking for specific skills. Give them exactly what they want (being honest, of course). If you have Management, HR and Administrative skills and that’s what they are looking for, highlight it for them. Don’t make them search though a lot of words to figure that out. Keep the plaid and stripes for a different day.
A good rule to follow is if you have a few types of industries you are applying, have a separate resume for each industry. Making your resume specific will get you more interviews.
2.) Condense and consolidate
Have bullet points for each position and be brief. If you have written your resume for each industry or position then you should highlight those skills. You do not need to put in everything you have done and the kitchen sink. You can leave a little to discuss at the interview. That is when you have your chance to shine.
3.) Confucius not Confusion
Be clear and brief about each role you have played in your work history. All you need are bullet points that say exactly what you did. See mojo tips 1 and 2.
4.) Check please
I can not stress enough about the importance of checking for grammatical mistakes. It says a lot when you say that you are a “detail oriented person” and have the unfortunate typographical error of “retail oriented person”. Have a friend, a detail oriented friend, read over your resume for mistakes and grammatical errors. You have one chance to make a good impression before the hiring manager checks out.
5.) Think commercial – not infomercial
You have about 5 seconds to pull in your reader-the hiring manager. If you are too wordy; you may be the perfect candidate, but they will never know because they stopped reading. They don’t have a lot of time to sort through hyperbole or a lot of adjectives. This is not your memoir, it’s your resume. You want them to read about your excellent work history and superior skills. Do that, but give them enough information to get a clear picture. If they are interested, they will call and get the rest of the details.
6.) Cha-ching
Bling has no place on your resume. Keep it professional and don’t add anything unnecessary. You don’t need to add an unusual font, border or a picture of yourself. These things are distracting from your work history. It’s about the work that you have done not your awesome creativeness. If you are a graphic designer and applying for that job, be as creative as you like. Otherwise, keep it professional.
7.) Covered
Cover letters are a fall-back to a slower time when things weren’t digital and fast-paced. Depending on the position, your cover letter is less important than you might think. If you do feel like you want to include one, make sure you are brief and to the point. Personal information should be excluded. Type out 3 short paragraphs; 1 telling which position you are applying for and why you are interested. Then you wrap it up with 2 paragraphs about your qualifications. Be concise and qualify yourself but if you send a cover letter, do it well. This shows how you communicate. Cover yourself and write well!
8.) Contact
This resume has everything I’m looking for. The person seems perfect for the job! I’m going to call right now to talk with them. Oh…there is no phone number or email. They must have forgotten to add that. Oops. This might seem self-evident but you would be surprised how many resumes do not have contact information included. Make sure you have all of your current contact information available. That is, if you want a call back.
Also, make sure that your resume is actually attached to the email. Sending a separate attachment makes your attention to detail seem questionable at best.
9.) Calm
The whole point of your resume is to get the employer to call you; when they do, be prepared. If you are unable to take the call at that moment, make an appointment. Take a moment to center yourself before the call. Be yourself but not over the top. You don’t need to give personal details. Be professional and keep it professional. Take a deep breath and do the best you can and you will find a job.
Good luck!
