Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes daily. You have only several seconds to catch their attention with an outstanding resume. Fail to do so and employers will be onto the next one in a blink of an eye.
We can’t stress enough how important it is to tailor your CV and go the extra mile to impress the recruiters. Not only that but nowadays you have to impress the software that completes the pre-screening process as well.
It may sound overwhelming but don’t worry. We’ve prepared a list of resume tips to help you polish your application and grab the attention of both humans and bots.
Contents
Get Inspired by Successful Resumes
The first step of the process is to find good practices used in the career niche you pursue. Look for professional resume examples online, see what their structure is, what information is included, how long they are, etc.
Choose a Resume Template
If you are not a designer who can create a template from scratch, then we recommend opting for a resume template platform where you can choose from numerous designs. Most tools allow customization of different sections depending on your needs.
Always go for a more minimalistic template with 2-3 colors. You want to impress the hiring managers with your skills, not with bright colors and shapes.
Select the Right Resume Format
To find out which is the best format for your resume, consider your work experience, skills and the position you are applying for. Choose from the following formats:
- Chronological – suitable for people with many years of experience;
- Functional – recommended for people that are just entering the workforce or are switching careers.
- Combined – merges different sections from the chronological and functional formats.
Opt for a Simple Font
Before you start writing down your accomplishments, select a basic font that looks professional and is easy to read. Don’t ever use Comic Sans for your resume or any important document for that matter. There are numerous free fonts online that are slick and readable at the same time.
Add Contact Details
Ensure that recruiters can easily contact you by including:
- Full name
- Current address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Skype or Slack handle
- LinkedIn profile
- Personal website, blog or portfolio
Consider listing other links to professional networks such as Github if you are a software developer or Dribbble if you are an illustrator for example.
Write a Summary
Present yourself in the best way through a short but detailed summary. Explain in a few sentences who you are, what you are good at, how many years of experience you have in the specific field. Don’t forget to mention any notable accomplishments or industry-recognized certificates.
We advise you to write the resume summary from the third person so it doesn’t seem like you are bragging too much.
Highlight Your Best Achievements
Showcase your most important accomplishments at the top of each position but keep in mind the dangerous questions that could follow. Don’t just list your responsibilities but present actual things you’ve achieved. It’s great if you can back them up with data. This way the employers will have a better understanding of your work.
Mention things such as the budget you dealt with, the number of team members you guided, any successful products, projects, or campaigns. Make numbers work in your favor.
Use Niche-Specific Keywords
Carefully read several job offers for your desired position and you’ll notice that they all have a handful of common keywords. Include these keywords in your resume so the screening software matches your profile as a potential candidate.
Such keywords might be:
- Professional programs and tools;
- Certain soft skills such as teamwork and time management;
- Education degree;
- Certificates;
If you have a cover letter, enrich it with the same keywords. But don’t overuse them.
