When picking over potential candidates for a job, there are times when the most qualified ones are tossed aside without a second look. The main reason for this to happen is a resume that is sub-par. It doesn’t matter if you have 5, 10, or 20 years of industry experience, a resume that looks sloppy or doesn’t meet the same standards of the other candidates will greatly decrease your chances of a job offer.
We can’t even begin to tell you the importance of a high-quality resume that stands out from the rest. According to some of the most qualified resume writers in the professional resume writing industry, here is a bit of advice that will help your resume reach its fullest potential.
Utilize keywords from the job posting
This is one of the oldest tricks in the resume writing book, but now it is becoming more of a necessity to utilize job posting keywords and phrases. It’s a lot easier than it sounds. All you have to do is take a look at the job posting of the position you’re applying for. Check out the list of necessary skills, qualifications, and certifications on the posting page. Then, jot down a few of the recurring words or phrases that stand out to you.
These words might include “strong communication skills”, “solid work ethic”, or “leadership experience”. There also might be specific ones relating to the job description, like “must be knowledgeable in WordPress”. Use these general and specific keywords throughout your resume. This will make it stand out and also show that you are highly qualified for the job.
Check out sample resumes from the industry
You can get a solid understanding of what the industry leaders are looking for by reviewing a few sample resumes. Check out ones that are specific to the job title to see what should (and should not) be included. Obviously don’t copy this information, but you can get a good idea of proper formatting and necessary work experience.
Use professional formatting, but add your own personal flair
Your resume should look professional, but this doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Yours needs to stand out from the other 100 resumes in the pile. The best way to do this is to use a resume writing template and find the one that appeals to you most. These templates help resume writers to put words on the page in an appealing way, rather than just listing everything off.
Include only what’s relevant and essential
There’s no need to write about your ability to juggle on your resume – unless of course you’re applying to the circus or clown school. Only include what is absolutely essential. Try not to include anything from years and years in the past, but keep it relevant with your more recent experiences.
Be active, not passive
Speaking and writing in an active tone shows that you have authority. When you write in a passive voice, you fail to use power words like accomplished, achieved, and completed. With an active voice, you’ll come off as confident and it eliminates “fluff” from your writing.
If you have some tips to add to the above, feel free to comment below or contact us at the Family Ever After Blog!
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