3 Tips to Make Your Resume Shine

Standing Out Is Easier Than You Think

The job application process can be daunting and stressful. You’re faced with navigating complex job application systems, ghosting employers, and other similarly frustrating situations.

With this in mind, it’s easy to understand why candidates let the job hunt become a numbers game. They’ll submit the same resume to as many jobs as they can, thinking that the more resumes they send out, the better. However, that mentality can result in missed opportunities.

Have you heard the statistic that a recruiter will only spend 6 seconds looking over a resume? It’s scary, but it’s true: you have 6 seconds to impress someone.

So, how do you do that? By tailoring your resume. That’s the key to getting your resume in front of the right eyes. Quality over quantity.

Tailoring Your Resume

It’s important for recruiters to know that you read the job description and understood the requirements. That’s why tailoring a resume is so paramount to your success. With a tailored resume, you can pull verbiage from the job description into your own experience.

For example, if “Administrating databases and creating daily backups” is in the job description and you have experience doing that, take that verbiage and put it in your resume. It doesn’t have to be word-for-word, but similar enough that the keywords are the same.

In addition, take out responsibilities that are irrelevant to the job you’re applying to. Resume space is precious. Ask yourself, “Will knowing this information help the recruiter see how qualified I am for this job?” If the answer is yes, include it. If no, ditch it.

It takes time to tailor your resume to each individual job, but in the long run, it’s worth it. Remember, you only get 6 seconds. Use that time intelligently by making sure relevant skills, experience, and qualifications are listed prominently. Which brings us to our next point…

Save Space For The Things That Matter

We were taught that resumes should include an objective. It’s a sign of the times, but fields like that are now seen as extraneous and, frankly, a waste of space.

Indeed, it is far more important to list professional certifications, technical skills, and job experience. You can always share your objectives in the interview and have a conversation about them.

Make Every Word Count

As a general rule, a one-page resume filled with impactful information is ideal. However, two pages can be acceptable if you’re later in your career and have enough relevant job experience to warrant it.

We always like to see resumes that make every word count. To succinctly make a point, use action verbs.

For example, you didn’t “Use a 3D printer,” you “Leveraged 3D printing technologies.” You weren’t “Responsible for 3 other engineers,” you “Managed an engineering team of 3 juniors.” Action verbs are a boon for resumes – they help you cut down on ambiguousness, and they make you sound educated.

Another aspect of making every word count is using numbers when you can. Do you have statistics from prior jobs that you can use? The ability to write “Saved the company over $500,000 by automating x task” is much more impactful than the alternative. Use dollar amounts and percentages wherever possible – there’s a lot of power in numbers.

Conclusion

By tailoring your resume to individual jobs, using your resume space effectively, and sprucing up your wording, you’ll be able to make yourself stand out. Your resume is marketing, after all. Why not use all the tools at your disposal to sell yourself as the best candidate?

We’ll remind you one last time, because it’s that important: 6 seconds. Use them wisely.