Imagine this: You’ve been employed by the same firm for perhaps three, five, or ten years; you’ve never actually had to “interview” for a job because of your extensive network, and you’re confident that you possess the communication skills necessary to persuade someone to hire you.
In a nutshell, you are an expert in your field. The issue, however, is that in order to get beyond the applicant tracking system in the current job market, you MUST have a strong résumé (ATS).
Your resume won’t be noticed if it doesn’t have the proper “components” on it. The remaining time you have to get someone’s attention is only about 5 to 6 seconds. Continue reading for 5 resume suggestions to help you land more interviews.
5-Step Checklist for Resume Writing:
Tip #1 – No more objectives
In all honesty, companies don’t really care what your goal is. Instead, pay attention to the employer. Make sure you are portraying yourself as the ideal candidate for the job by using a career summary at the top of your resume.
You can sum up some of your soft talents and career focus in just two or three phrases while still matching them to the needs of the business. Even though you may still be talking about your skills, you are doing so in a way that highlights what you can offer their company (instead of only talking about what you want from them).
Tip #2 – Keywords are vital
If you’ve been looking for a job for some time, you’ve probably heard of keywords and the enigmatic ATS. Being aware of it is one thing, but knowing how to navigate it is quite another.
To ensure that your document scans well by the ATS program and closely matches the employment opportunity, you MUST carefully study the job description and utilize the appropriate words in your document. If you skip this step, it’s possible that no one will ever even see your resume.
I always advise my clients to read the job posting, print it out, and start underlining when they inquire about how they are meant to know what the keywords are. Keywords are the terms that are repeatedly utilized.
Examine the listing’s credentials or skills section, underline the phrases used more than once, and then adjust your CV as much as possible to match it.
Tip #3 – Be careful with dates
Nothing makes you look older than mentioning high school events from that year. Did you earn your college degree in 1985? Avoid mentioning it. In fact, unless a customer is actively enrolled in school or recently graduated, I almost never disclose the client’s educational dates.
If not, it is irrelevant. Additionally, keep in mind that you are not required to list EVERY job you have ever held. Your career experience should span the previous 10–12 years. If it’s earlier than that, it generally won’t apply to your future job, and it also makes you look older.
Here is a comprehensive post on how to avoid age discrimination on your CV if you want to learn more about this.
Tip #4 – Think quantifiable achievements—not job duties
There are a LOT of people with positions that are similar to yours out there. In fact, there are countless job descriptions available online.
Even while some of it might be intriguing, the reader isn’t very interested in it. You must consider accomplishments and successes when thinking. You are aware of how to “…manage your time wisely and oversee significant accounts while acquiring new clients.” Fantastic. In reality, over the course of an 18-month period, you “…led 10 accounts totaling $25 million in sales, while concurrently securing 5 new customers, adding $5 million in gross sales.”
In contrast to the first statement, listing facts and accomplishments on your resume demonstrates what you accomplished and how it benefited the organization.
Tip #5 – Be concise
While it goes without saying that you shouldn’t omit any important details, keep in mind that hiring managers and recruiters are busy. Get to the point.
Your resume should be no more than two pages. A career summary, skills section, professional history, education, certifications, and involvement in the community are generally required. Since it is your own information, it can sometimes be challenging to decide what to cut and what to keep. Get a second pair of eyes to look it over and develop your ability to accept constructive criticism.
Remember, the resume is your opportunity to make a first impression. Concentrate on what you can achieve for the business and give the information you include in the document some serious thought. Does it increase your value as an employee? Utilizing the above-mentioned advice and keeping up with current hiring trends can put you in a successful position for the future.
