It may be a job hunter’s market, but that doesn’t make it any easier to stand out in a crowded field. If you want to land an interview for your dream job, you’ll need to up your game. Your resume serves as your calling card, introducing you to potential employers and explaining how your experience makes you an excellent choice. But today, most companies use software to screen resumes before a human ever lays eyes on them. This means that you’ll need to build a resume that will win over both the software and a human recruiter. Here’s how.
How Can You Create a Resume That Will Get Noticed?
Pick out keywords
Applicant tracking software looks for relevant keywords when deciding whether to send a resume on for further consideration. For each position, you’ll need to carefully read the job description to find the right words and phrases, and include them in your resume. Never claim to have qualifications you don’t actually possess, but for those that you have, make sure you are describing them the same way as the job ad.
Simplify the format
Your resume should be clear and concise. Put your name and contact details at the top, followed by a short summary. Then get right into your work experience, education, and skills. Leave out any jobs you held more than 10-15 years ago. Choose a simple, easy to read font in 10-point to 12-point size.
Lean Into Your Accomplishments
In the work experience section, don’t just provide a list of your daily tasks. Instead, focus on your achievements. Let’s say your last job was in quality control, and you came up with a program to reduce your company’s production waste. Instead of “performed quality control checks,” you could try “spearheaded a new quality control initiative that reduced waste by 10%.”
Fill in the Gaps
Many people have gaps in their resume. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can make employers wonder why. Whenever possible, explain the gaps. Were you earning a degree or certification? Did you do volunteer work? Were you self-employed as a freelancer? Try to show that you were still progressing even when you didn’t have a full-time job.
Streamline Your Education Section
After your work experience, add a brief education section that lists your relevant degrees or certifications. Include the name and location of the institution. But you don’t need to reveal your GPA or graduation date.
Detail Your Skills
Your skills section can go anywhere on your resume, depending on the importance of specific skills for the job you want. Be sure to list both hard skills such as forklift operation or database management, and soft skills, such as communication or leadership.
Proofread
The last step is to remove any typos or other mistakes. Carefully read through your resume and correct any errors. Then have a friend or relative read through it. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can more easily find any issues.
Ready for a New Position?
If you’re ready to jumpstart your career, Pirate Staffing can help. Take a look at our open opportunities or simply submit your resume today!
