The ultimate point of writing a resume is to create a tool that will get you hired. With how important resumes are for getting you an interview, it is surprising how many common mistakes people make on this important document. To help fix that problem, here are nine things you can do to write a better resume. The National Recruiting has put together this guide to help you get to the next step in your job search. It’s time to start working the job that is right for you. We offer high-quality services for employers looking for employees and for people seeking employment. Check out our featured job listings today! The Lir Lii System will help you stand out with your submission.
9 Ways to Strengthen Your Resume
1. Avoid Common Mistakes
It’s amazing how many resumes are thrown out because of basic mistakes like spelling errors, incorrect grammar, inappropriate font choice, or cramped formatting. Because employers only have a short amount of time to review each resume, be sure to make yours as easy to read as possible. Arial, Times New Roman, and Minion Pro are all safe bets. Basic things like running a spellcheck, doing your own proofreading, and reading what you wrote out loud after writing it down will help prevent you from making some of these basic errors. Another crucial thing is to not try and cram in as much information as possible. Even though it is a good idea to keep your resume one page long, if you are squeezing in two pages worth of material onto that one page, it will inevitably look cramped. Prioritize the information that you think will represent you to the targeted job best, and save the rest for the interview. Your future employer will appreciate it.
2. Choose the Best Type of Resume for You
There are a few standard approaches to writing a resume. Generally, the more work experience you have, the more likely a chronological resume will be appropriate for you. A chronological resume format is exactly what it sounds like: it is a breakdown of your past jobs organized chronologically from most recent to oldest. A functional resume, on the other hand, will be more useful for recent graduates or people entering a new field, as it emphasizes skills and accomplishments over past work experience. You can also do some combination of both of these.
3. Find a Template
Don’t know where to start? Consider looking around for a template that fits well with the job you are targeting. A new template can help you organize your resume and increase its quality as you think of new things to add to it. The more different angles you look at your past experiences, the more material you’ll have to quickly laser-focus resumes for potential future employers.
4. Look at What Job Boards and Other Employees Have on Their Resumes
Know the best place to find out what an employer is looking for? The job listing! Consider how your resume matches up with what they are looking for. You will want to hit as many of the points they list as possible, without just copying what they wrote. Make sure you are only including things that you actually have experience in. It will almost always be extremely transparent when you try and talk yourself up with half-truths. Employers would rather you be honest than hit all the checkmarks.
5. Be Accurate
The more precise you are with what you write, the more deeply you penetrate the minds of your employers with possibilities for what unique value you can bring to their company. Generalities are boring. The more specific you are about your past accomplishments, the clearer a picture of your value you present to potential employers. This does not mean using flowery language. A bit of garnish is fine, but too much can put a bad taste in peoples’ mouths. A good resume is one that is accurate, simple, and direct. Accuracy will also help concision, which shows your potential employer that you respect their time. Describe your abilities and experiences accurately and precisely. Let your actions speak for themselves, and absolutely do not make grandiose claims if you can’t back them up. People reviewing resumes are able to recognize purple language immediately.
6. Treat Your Resume Like a Marketing Document
Your task with writing a resume is not to report everything you have ever done. Instead, you should aim to present the information that emphasizes the things that are most relevant to the job that you are applying for. One way to do that is to highlight accomplishments over responsibilities. This will help show the ways that you exceed expectations with past jobs, demonstrating your high potential to prospective employers.
7. Keep It Simple and Short
We touched upon this earlier, but it’s worth repeating. Don’t explain something in 10 words when it really only needs one to do the job. Imagine that you are an employer sifting through hundreds of resumes for a job. You will appreciate the resumes that are short and sweet.
8. Custom-Tailor Resumes for Special Jobs
For jobs that you really want to get, a custom-tailored resume can make all the difference. Some basic research into the keywords used in that job, as well as the specific attributes that are desired, will help you shape your resume into as powerful a marketing document as you can for that specific job. Sending out mass cookie-cutter resumes will not help you in the globally competitive job market. Specifying your resume as much as possible for individual jobs will help you differentiate yourself from other applicants.
9. Using a Job Hiring Website
There are many job search companies out there that can help you reach the employers that are best suited for your background and skills. Relying on a site like The National Recruiting can help you quickly and accurately find the jobs you’re looking for. Check out our job search portal to find the most suitable job for you!
