Recruiters receive an ample number of applications. Chances are, they skim through resumes for only a few seconds. This means you need a killer CV to grab their attention in a blink of an eye.
Build a professional, concise, and well-tailored resume to market yourself and increase your chances of getting an interview. It bodes well to display your skills, experience, and education relevant to the position you are applying for. If you have difficulties to create a stellar resume, worry not, as help is just around the corner.
Follow this simple guide to help you perfect any application.
Research and Compare
- Check out online sources and successful resumes examples in your field.
- Research their content, structure, and length.
- Compare different samples and adopt the most suitable practice.
- Analyze the results of your research to produce a notable resume.
Choose Suitable Templates and Layouts
A clean-cut, outlined template is a must if you want to create an interview-winning CV. Implement these tips and get ahead of the competition:
- Use a resume builder platform to pick the most suitable design for your application.
- Customize segments of the template to fit your needs, goals, and ideas.
- Select a simple and elegant design that complements your presentation.
- Avoid using vivid colors and complex graphics.
- Dig into examples of professional resumes to benchmark and stand out.
- Showcase your skills, experience, and education, not forms and colors. Presentation is essential for success, so work hard on that part.
Select a Proper Format
Candidates often make common mistakes in an effort to fancy up their CVs. A big one is to overdo it with the formatting. This error causes difficulties for the recruiters to sift out the information and find what they seek. Also, getting creative with formatting wreaks havoc for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and that might cost you the interview.
Thus, make sure your basic information, skills, and experience are easily found, not tucked away somewhere unexpected.
This way you show recruiters your professional attitude and that you’re qualified for the job. So, it’s good to choose one of these most common formats:
- Chronological – The most used format which ideal for applicants with rich employment history. Start with your most recent job and continue in chronological order.
- Functional – A focal point is your skills and accomplishments is proper for entry-level candidates with less experience.
- Hybrid – A mix between the previous two formats is suitable for higher-level positions.
Choose The Right Font
With a matter of seconds to display your qualifications for a position, every detail matters. To create a sense of style and professionalism, it’s important to put extra effort and consideration into your font choice. Recruiters don’t indulge flashy and ornate resumes, so casual or comic fonts are a big no! Choose a simple and elegant font.
Provide Valid Contact Information
What is the point of a stellar resume if the recruiter can’t get a hold of you, right? Put a section in your resume solely for basic information. Double-check to ensure there are no mistakes so that hiring managers can contact you.
Here is what to include in this segment of your CV:
- Full name;
- Address;
- Email;
- Telephone number;
- Website or blogs;
- Portfolio.
List other professional networks connected to your field of expertise.
Write a Strong Summary
Start your resume with a brief but compelling summary. Let the recruiter get to know you. Write about yourself, your skills, strengths, and experience. Highlight significant accomplishments or professional certificates. An effective summary is essential to shine through the crowd of resumes.
Display Your Accomplishments
When you add professional achievements to your resume, you show potential employers that you are devoted and accomplish significant results. This segment of your CV proves you’re a valuable candidate, and it is an effective way to make your resume stand out.
- List your significant achievements in the career section of your resume.
- Back up your success with facts and data.
- Help recruiters understand the essence of your experience and qualifications.
- Include skills relevant to the specific position you apply for.
- Mention budgeting skills, product development, team-management, projects, or campaigns.
Identify and Implement Specific Keywords
Research job ads in your field to outline niche-specific keywords. List these words to increase your resume value as the ATS detects them and picks your profile as a match.
Use keywords related to the position you desire:
- Program training;
- Transferable skills: teamwork, leadership, problem-solving;
- Education;
- Certifications;
- Courses;
- Other notable achievements;
The richer and concise it is, the better.
Display Transferable Skills
Transferable skills give recruiters a glimpse of who you are as a person. Adding them to your resume will increase your chances of reaching the first interview stage.
Here are some skills to consider including in your CV, but only list them if you really have them!
- Teamwork;
- Leadership;
- Communication;
- Adaptability;
- Organization;
- Dependability, etc.
Customize the Resume for Every Job
Take your time to format your resume in accordance with the job you apply for. Recruiters typically skip generic or robotic CVs. Impress them with a detailed, custom-designed resume tailored to perfection. Convince them that not only you want this position, but you are the right person for it.
Check the Submission Requirements
Keep in mind the specific resume submission requirements. You have the choice to email it, upload it on the company website or submit an application via third-party sites. Review the document format specifications and stick to the instructions.
Regardless of the format, you must include your first and last name in the title. Avoid sending a document called “My-Resume-file” because it gets lost in the pile of applications. If you submit your CV by email, remember to attach the required files. Sign the email and add your contact information at the bottom.
Takeaways
It’s time to get creative and impress the recruiters. As mentioned above, some companies use special applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage and control pre-screening. Only well-tailored resumes get through. Implement these simple yet effective tips and get that interview!
