| |
Make Your Resume Stand Out In 15 Seconds |
| |
On an average, most recruiters spend 10-15 seconds scanning
a resume. A brief glance is all they give when they categorize
the mountain loads of resumes into suitable and unsuitable
candidates. Which makes it even more critical for you
to ensure your resume doesn't go unnoticed in the pile
of papers.
The secret lies in the details you include, how you include
them, how readable your resume is, and most importantly,
its overall presentation. Here are a few tips which will
help your resume stand out:
Use A Design That Grabs Attention
Employers make a snap decision at the mere sight of a
resume. If it's shoddy, full of spelling errors and formatted
in an irregular fashion, the résumé's fate will probably
be the reject pile no matter how good the candidate.
The design of your resume must highlight the most important
information about your work experience, skills and education.
At first glance, this information forms the image that
employers have of your skills and abilities. If they see
unrelated job titles or skills the likelihood is very
high that they will make an immediate assumption that
you are not qualified for the job.
|
| |
It's Not What You Say. It's How You Say It.
|
| |
The
right words and descriptions can go a long way into getting
yourself short-listed for the interview. Highlight numbers,
skills and accomplishments in a crisp, clear manner. If
you achieved something in a record time, state it.
If you reported directly to the CEO on a special assignment,
mention it. Mention your duties in specific terms. Quantify
as much as possible, it does away with vague statements.
Compare the two statements below. Which do you think says
it better? a. Maintained records for accounts receivable
and payable. b. Managed over 1,000 accounts receivable
and payable, working directly with the Chief Financial
Officer
|
| |
Use Power Terms
|
| |
If
you've applied for a supervisory or a management post,
use the kind of terms and words which indicate your
knowledge and skill. Use industry buzzwords and jargon,
it indicates to the recruiter that you are familiar with
your job role. For example the first phrase sounds
bland in comparison to the second phrase which gives an
indication of a person capable of taking on responsibilities.
a. Gave work assignments to staff of entry level accounting
clerks. b. Directed workflow, supervised and
trained accounting staff performing posting to general
ledger, accounts receivable and payable accounts.
|
| |
Read The Job Ad Carefully And Match
The Words
|
| |
Many
times, employers reveal key words in the job descriptions
which give you a fair idea and understanding of the company
and its requirements. Analyze the words, see if you can
use synonyms or replicate them on your resume Eg. words
like managing, supervising, motivating are
keywords you can adopt into your resume.
|
| |
Highlight The Benefits Of Your Skills
|
| |
Most
resumes provide a list of duties that each applicant has
been responsible for - without explaining the benefit
of those skills to employers. For example, a secretary's
resume might state she can type 80 wpm and is extremely
accurate. This statement lacks an explanation of how her
typing speed and accuracy benefit an employer's bottom
line. The real benefit is that the employee can produce
more work and ultimately save the employer money. An example
would read like this: Achieved top production volume by
maintaining high degree of accuracy with typing speed
at 80 wpm.
|
| |
Create An Image To Match Your Needs
|
| |
As
you write your resume, keep in mind the level of job and
salary you want. Be sure to create an image that presents
you at the appropriate level with the words you choose.
|
| |
Prioritize The Content Of Your Resume
|
| |
Another
big mistake that job seekers make is to list very important
data in the lower sections of their job descriptions.
As you compile statements for your resume, prioritize
them by importance, impressiveness and relevance to the
job you want. Remember that a strong statement which uses
power words and quantifies will affect every statement
under it.
|
| |
Be Clear. Be Accurate.
|
| |
Portray the facts in the best possible manner. Talk about your
previous companies, highlighting their achievements, you
will be immediately associated as a winner from a winning
company. Your resume is a unique marketing tool which
pays you back for all your hard work. It is important
for employers to understand the context of your work,
so they can gain an accurate picture of your functional
responsibilities and how you performed them. Your resume
must paint an accurate picture of where you worked, your
position and your achievements. While creating your resume,
spend a few extra minutes on how you present it and write
it. After all, you've only got 15 seconds to be chosen.
|
