Working on the executive recruitment team, Sinceit has been in this industry the resume always seems to have a cloud of confusion and mystery surrounding it for job seekers. In fact that there is no single answer to what makes a resume effective. What works in one industry does not necessarily work in another. Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes a day and it’s vital that you know how to market yourself and stand out from the pile. Find out examples and tips to make resume standout.
Keep it simple
Boring works when it comes to most resumes. A simple format is easier for the ATS to screen and easier for recruiters to read. Save the fancy formatting for your portfolio if you’re in a design field. Review these resume formatting guidelines to get started.
Make sure you meet the qualifications
Qualifications for being considered are usually listed at the bottom of the job ad. Make sure you have at least the minimum required qualifications to be considered. Otherwise, you’re wasting everyone’s time, your own included. Review these tips for decoding a job ad.
Customize it
Before applying for a position, go through the job posting to ensure you have the required qualifications. Take the time to customize your resumeto meet the listed requirements. Recruiters—as well as algorithms—use the job description when screening. Your resume stands a higher chance of getting shortlisted if it’s tailored to the job. For example, if your resume states you have experience in training, while the job description asks for learning and development expertise, tweak it to reflect the same wording. Also, highlight or move relevant details that match the job description to the top of a section.
Cover letter done correctly
Personally I do not believe in cover letters. I find them to be more of ramblings over anything productive.
The only time I would recommend a cover letter is if you have to explain something noticeable on your resume. Maybe you are relocating to a specific area already and just need a job. This will help the company understand you are not looking for relocation assistance, just looking for a position local to where you are moving. But using a cover letter just to use one has never been something I support. However if you feel you must use one please tailor it to the position and the company. Do your research on the company and explain how your skills integrate with the work they do.
Finalize and save
Final touches to your CV should include renaming the file to your name so that it is easier to identify and access, such as: FirstName_LastName CV. Save the file as a PDF to ensure that your formatting remains intact, but also keep the original, editable version in case the company requests a specific file type.
