Landing a perfect job has never been an easy task, but in the current economy it can seem downright impossible. With the pandemic forcing many employers to downsize, it can seem harder than ever to make yourself stand out among the crowds of other talented professionals applying to the same few positions.
By presenting potential employers with a bold, tailor-made resume, you will already be one step ahead of the competition and one step closer to landing your dream job. Read on for four expert tips to help you craft a resume that will shine and impress.
1. Tailor Your Resume to the Position
Before you begin the application process, make sure to carefully research both the company and the specific position to which you are applying. Take note of important keywords within things like the company mission statement and the job description, and incorporate these words or their synonyms into your resume. For example, if a company describes itself as "innovative and cutting edge", you might describe yourself as a creative problem-solver, or an innovative thinker.
By taking this simple step, you will be able to craft a resume that will allow employers to easily picture you working at their company.
2. Use Action Words
When describing your work experience, always try to lead with bold action words to leave a lasting impression. For example, instead of writing, "I lead multiple small team projects", your bullet point could read, "Oversaw the development and execution of numerous team projects." It's no secret in the HR world that employers have to read through a lot of resumes for most positions, and most of these resumes are pretty forgettable. By making bold language choices, you have a much higher chance of making your resume one they actually remember at the end of the day.
3. Be Concise
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to list every single position and skill you have on every resume. If you're applying for a position as a marketing executive, for instance, it's probably irrelevant that you worked as a camp counselor for two summers in college or that you have played the piano for ten years. By not flooding your resume with information that doesn't actually help your employers, you'll allow them to quickly and easily determine if you're potentially a good candidate for the position. Quality is definitely more important than quantity when it comes to creating the perfect resume.
4. Write the Cover Letter
It's possible that you've heard that writing a cover letter is no longer a necessary step to landing a job. While it is true that many employers won't think twice about a missing cover letter in this day and age, some still see this as a gold standard among candidates and are hesitant to hire those who do not include one.
Even if an employer doesn't bother to read your cover letter (which, to be fair, does happen often), including one is yet another thing that will make you stand out as a candidate and let potential employers know you're passionate about landing a job.