When you get into a room, you may well be able to nail an interview and leave a masterful impression. However, that’s not going to help if you’re not able to secure that interview in the first place. To that end, your resume may need a lot more help. Writing a resume is a skill of its own, and here, we’re going to look at the finer points of that skill that many job applicants may not think to consider initially, as well as the basics.
Is It Tailored To The Role?
Resumes are not a one-size-fits-all solution. If it feels generic, it’s more likely to get tossed, even if it’s an accurate and well-written summary of your skills. Align your resume to each job by highlighting the most relevant skills, past roles, and education, as well as specifically aligning your experiences to the requirements in the job description.
Can It Get Past The Bots?
More and more employers are automating the process of screening resumes. Tools like ATS software filter out those who don’t highlight the necessary skills, but it doesn’t mean you’re not a good match for the role. ATS-optimizing your resume may ensure that you’re using the formatting, keywords, and other factors considered by these systems. It makes you a lot more likely to get the point of landing your resume in the hands of a real human.
Does It Mention Any Achievements?
Having the right skills and experiences is all well and good, but if you’re able to specifically quantify your value to an employer, you can make a better impression. For instance, “managed sales team” doesn’t hit quite as well as “increased sales by 25% in six months.” There are plenty of examples of accomplishments that you can use to jog your memory. Make sure that you’re able to recall the stories of those accomplishments in further detail, as they are likely to come up in the interview.
Does It Read Well?
You may be writing and rewriting your resume dozens of times to get it to better fit the job roles you apply to. It’s only natural that a few typos or grammatical errors are going to slip in there. Unfortunately, those little slips are going to make a difference in the impression you make. There are simple grammar-checking tools you can install in most browsers to catch these before you submit, so use them.
Is It Up-To-Date?
It’s a simple mistake, but a lot of people simply forget to add their most recent achievements or qualifications to their resume. If you’ve got new experience or learned new skills, then don’t be afraid to put them on there. Not only do you want to create the most accurate picture of the value you can bring, but it can show employers your ongoing dedication to growth in your career.
A good resume is what opens doors, so you should ensure that you put as much work into it as you do into practising for interviews and building your professional network.