Getting the job interview in today's competitive job search environment means creating a resume that stands out in the crowd. Here are five hacks that will do just that.
Writing a resume is one of the most important career management tasks you can do. The key is to write it in such a way that it stands out from the crowd. That doesn't mean using colored paper and large, interesting fonts. Those tricks don't work, and they're just as likely to get your resume sent to File 13. Follow these five tips to make simple improvements to your resume that really make you stand out from your job search competitors:
Customize your resume by using words pulled from the job description.
You'll impress your potential interviewer if you use the language they used in their job ad. Read the job description carefully, and when you describe duties and achievements at previous jobs, use the words you find in the job description to show that you have the requisite experience.
Give your resume a title.
Most job seekers don't do this. They just put their name and contact information at the top of the resume and hope it catches someone's attention. If you give your resume a suitable title that is relevant to the job you are seeking, it is more likely to catch its reviewer's attention and land you a job interview.
Bold important words.
You have six seconds to grab the reader's attention. By bolding important words in your resume, you make it easier for the reviewer to find the information they are looking for, which will save them time and increase your chances for a job interview.
Make it scannable.
Today's interviewing managers spend a lot of time online reading blogs, website content, and other online copy that is easy to scan. Make your resume scannable by using bullet points, lots of white space, subheads, and other visual features.
Customize to the job you are applying for.
That includes keywords that will make your resume search engine friendly and increase your chances of getting the job interview because you make it easy for the person reviewing resumes to see if you have the necessary skills to perform the job.
By making your resume easier to scan, read, and discover your most valuable skills, you will save the resume reviewer time and present yourself as a more valuable candidate for the job. That will increase your chances of landing the job interview so that you can close the sale and land the job.