The time has arrived! You have spent long hours searching countless job listings and now the moment has come to apply for your dream job. Perhaps your resume needs a bit of dusting off, or maybe your goals and skills have changed and it’s time for an update.
Whatever the reason, your resume should garner an impactful first impression. So, here are five steps that will help you craft an impressive resume.
Map it out
When applying for a job, keep in mind that there will be many others vying for the same position. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your resume stands out from the rest. One way to do this is to be strategic. Plan out how you want your resume to look, and what you want it to say. Include clear headings; highlight your relevant skills; and outline your experience effectively.
Your information should be carefully written to best fit the job requirements and detail why you are the ideal person for the position.
Consistency is key
Professionalism and attention to detail is imperative when it comes to your resume. Details such as formatting, consistent headings, subheadings, and font choice are important. Your resume should not only sound impressive but should also be visually appealing. For example, if your first heading is bolded and 14pt font, then every heading that follows should mirror that. Ensure your writing style and tone of voice is consistent throughout the document.
Include the right information
Crucial information should be visible and easy to find for the hiring manager. This includes your contact information such as phone number and email address. Clearly highlight your relevant experience, education, and any specific certifications or licenses you have.
Regarding your skill set, use the job posting as a guide for what the hiring manager is looking for. Showcase these abilities, as well as others you have, to clearly state why you are qualified for the position.
Change it up
It can be easy to use the same resume for every job that you are applying to. However, each resume should be specifically catered to the individual position. While some information will overlap, showcase your relevant skills applicable to each specific job posting.
Potential employers will be searching for different skills and how those skills will best serve the job. Therefore, be sure to pay close attention to the information the job posting is asking for. Include specific keywords that are relevant to the job posting, as this is helpful for your resume to get past the ATS (Applicant Tracking System).
Always edit
This seems obvious but is vital to your success! It is a smart idea to have someone (like us!) review and edit your resume. A second pair of eyes will be beneficial to help discover mistakes. They can also help point out details you may have missed or make suggestions for improvement. Small details such as missing punctuation or a spelling error can make or break your success. Take the extra time to make sure it’s perfect.
If you have questions or need help crafting an impressive resume, our team of professionals would be happy to connect.