You're in the middle of a job search. How can you make your resume stand out from the rest?

2 Use a clear and professional format

Another way to make your resume stand out is to use a clear and professional format that makes it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to scan and read. Avoid using fancy fonts, colors, or graphics that can distract from your content. Use consistent headings, bullet points, and white space to organize your information and emphasize your main points. Choose a font size and style that is legible and appropriate for your industry. Use a reverse chronological order to list your work experience, starting with your most recent or current position.

3 Quantify your achievements

A resume that only lists your duties and responsibilities can sound boring and vague. To make your resume more impactful, you should quantify your achievements with numbers, percentages, or other metrics that show the results and value of your work. For example, instead of saying "managed a team of 10 people", you could say "led a team of 10 people to increase sales by 25% in six months". This way, you can demonstrate your skills and abilities with concrete evidence and show how you can contribute to the employer's success.

4 Showcase your personality

While your resume should be professional and focused on your skills and achievements, it should also showcase your personality and what makes you unique. You can do this by adding a personal statement or summary at the top of your resume that highlights your career goals, values, and strengths. You can also include a section on your hobbies, interests, or volunteer work that shows your passions and interests outside of work. This can help you stand out from other candidates who have similar qualifications and show how you fit the company culture and values.

5 Proofread and edit your resume

Finally, before you send your resume to any employer, you should proofread and edit it carefully to avoid any spelling, grammar, or formatting errors that can ruin your chances of getting an interview. You can use online tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to check your writing and improve its clarity and readability. You can also ask a friend, a mentor, or a peer support specialist to review your resume and give you feedback and suggestions. A fresh pair of eyes can help you catch any mistakes or gaps that you might have missed and improve your resume's quality and effectiveness.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?