Your resume is arguably the most important document in the job application process. It is what will convince a recruiter to bring you in for an interview - or pass on your application immediately. On average a recruiter spends just 7 seconds looking at a resume before deciding whether the candidate is a good fit for the role. There are a few things you can do to help your resume stand out.
Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for.
Adapt your resume for each position you are applying for. Use the same terminology as the job description. The recruiter may not know the technical ins and outs of the job. They need to see word matches to realize you have relevant skills. Your resume may also very well go through a computerized Applicant Tracking System - and computers are dumb. Lastly, take out irrelevant information so the reader sees the most important information in those 7 seconds.
List skills at the top
Make sure the most important information about your application is the first thing the recruiter sees. List your relevant skills. This is a quick and easy, as well as very effective way, to tailor your resume to ensure the recruiter knows you are a good fit for the job. This is also an opportunity to add keywords to help your resume get through the Applicant Tracking System.
Use the same font through out your resume.
Unless you are a graphic designer, don't try to be a graphic designer! Use the same font through out your resume. Change font size and use bold and italics to make it look varied. Use a sans serif font. Common sans serif fonts are Arial, Helvetica, Times and Verdana.
Get someone to proof read your resume
Get someone else to proof read your resume. One typo or mistake can send your application straight to the "no" pile. You cannot proof read your own work, your mind will skip over the errors because it knows what it is supposed to say.
A career coach can help you create a professional looking resume.
You might also be interested in reading: What are the 3 types of resume.
