In today’s competitive job market, getting a dream job is very stressful. But it is more challenging to get your resume noticed by the employers. Employers might receive hundreds or approximately that digit of resumes. They don’t have enough time to look at all resumes, so they don’t read all resumes thoroughly. They just skim through it. That’s why you should make your resume that stands out from other applicants.
There are top essential tips or guidelines that can help to shine a resume. Here in this article, we will share those tips.
What recruiters search in a resume
Your resume actually acts as your representative to the hiring manager. So getting noticed by them is essential to get a call for the interview. Your aim is to make it easy, highlighted, and attractive for them because they may go through hundreds of applications. While designing your resume, don’t forget to add keywords, relevant skills, and experiences to get noticed.
Add keywords from the original job posting
When you upload a resume to apply for an online job application, you must use keywords in it. As recruiters receive lots of applications or resumes, they use applicant tracking system software to sort them. This software scans cover letters and resumes for skills, experience, and others by detecting the keywords. Keywords help to identify the right candidate. Even when a recruiter selects a candidate, they also pick the resume that matches the keywords with the job posting keywords. So, if you add the keywords from the job posting that actually matches your skill and experience, it will increase your chances of getting a call.
How to write a resume
Always read the job description properly to know the required skills and experiences. You may also make a list of requirements. If you have the same, mention them prominently. If you do not have those exactly, list the similar skills that can meet the requirement. If your experience and skills do not match at all, then search for other jobs that will be a good match for you.
- Use a simple and concise format.
- Use a standard font that will be easy to read.
- Mention only essential information. Keep all information within 1-2 pages.
- Use strong action verbs such as managed, created, and others to start your writing in bullet points.
- Mention accomplishment, not responsibility.
- Avoid using weak verbs such as helped, assisted.
- Quantify your work in metrics and numbers instead of using numerous, various, multiple, and others.
- Avoid using personal pronouns like I, my, their, etc.
- Write in bullet points rather than using paragraphs in your resume.
How to write in bullet points in your resume with examples
Resume header
Put useful information in your resume header like name, contact, information, address, etc.
Profile
In this section, put a brief introductory summary of your relevant experience, skills, and professional achievements, which helps the recruiter to understand which job you are applying for.
For instance:
- Project manager with 8+ years of experience in managing projects.
- Manage a project with a 92% success rate.
- Handle and guide a team for the successful completion of projects.
Skills section
In your skills section, on the top, mention your professional skills, which are directly related to the job post you are applying for. The recruiter will first focus on those skills that are typically required for the job description. Read the job description properly, and if you have any of the required skills, be sure to mention them.
After that, list all the soft skills which help to make your resume strong. They are usually transferable skills. Soft skills include communication skills, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, managing, organizing, and others. Arrange the skills according to your proficiency.
Work experience
In the work experience section, list your experience. Do not write down everything you have done in your career and job. Rather you should only add those details of your past work that are actually relevant to the work you want to do next.
Remember that you should always include more details about your last or current job and fewer details about your past career.
For instance:
Office Manager
Minesteel
May 2018- Present
- Coordinate office operations and supervise six administrative assistants for maximum efficiency.
- Planned daily work schedules of the team.
- Decrease turnover by 45%.
Education section
These days if a person is experienced, they mention their education details at the end of their resume, except for those where specific certifications for the particular job are essential. Moreover, if you are a recent graduate or fresher, you should mention this section with relevant degrees and certifications after the profile.
Remember that do not mention your grade/marks or rank.
If you have multiple degrees, mention the highest level of degree first.
Example for writing your education details:
B.Com in Accountancy
DAV College, New Delhi
2019-2022
Proofreading
- Before submitting your resume to the hiring recruiter, thoroughly check typos and spelling mistakes.
- Recheck your resume from top to bottom and vice-versa. Make corrections if you find any.
- You can use an online tool to check grammatical mistakes.
- Save the file by your name and then convert it into PDF before sending it.
