The first challenge with your resume is getting it into the hands of an actual person.
Over the past decade, getting through applicant tracking systems (ATS) by including the right keywords has become the holy grail of job seekers. The palace guards were put in place so that overloaded hiring managers could keep out the riffraff.
And it was necessary.
Surveys report that more than half of the resumes submitted for any job posting are from completely unqualified candidates.
The ATS is meant to boil down the deluge to an actual candidate pool.
As a job seeker, you should be concerned with and aware of how your resume will make it past the guards.
As a serious professional, you need to take your resume further. Make sure that when it makes it to the hands of an actual person, it will impress and get you to the next step.
Here are four resume tips for accomplishing this goal.
1. Lead With The Results
Look at your resume as if you are the hiring manager. Are you making it clear that you can help the company save or make money? Does this resume help solve the problem that needs solving with this position? Not just the “because Henry quit” problem. The thing that makes this position valuable to the company.
Your resume must show how you are the solution because you’ve done it before. Structure your experience so that each sentence is front-loaded with results. Instead of, “Evaluated current processes and led efforts that restructured operations, leading to a reduction in costs and an increase in revenue,” try “Slashed overhead costs by 20% while simultaneously increasing revenue by 45% by completely overhauling sales processes and operations for optimal efficiency.”
If you think like management, you can pick out what management most cares about and make sure you highlight that in your resume.
2. Quantify Your Accomplishments
In other words, use numbers. By adding figures to your accomplishments, you provide measurable, credible proof of your performance.
For example, “Added $4 million to the bottom line…”
Beyond showing revenue, numbers can help provide context for your results through comparisons.
- “Ranked #1 out of 45 sales reps for top sales performance.”
- “Achieved 95% customer referral rate, a figure 2 times higher than the company average.”
- “Conducted company-wide training for 500 employees.”
This is one of the things a lot of people struggle with, but it is vital. Quantifying your accomplishments solidifies them in the mind of the reader. It turns an abstract statement into a hard fact. It also helps hiring managers quickly grasp the impact of your work.
Instead of saying you “led a team,” specify that you “managed a team of 12 and increased productivity by 30%.” Rather than stating that you “improved customer satisfaction,” highlight that you “boosted customer satisfaction scores from 82% to 96% within a year.”
The more specific you are, the more compelling your resume becomes. Even if you don’t have access to precise numbers, estimates based on past performance can still add credibility. Don’t be afraid to take an educated guess!
3. Use Active Words
Fill your resume with verbs that convey energy and action. Carefully selected verbs also help you create concrete statements that create a visual for the reader. Instead of, “Put in processes that led to a significant reduction in costs,” try “Decreased costs by devising efficient sales process.”
But be careful. Don’t use the same verbs over and over. Do the work and find powerful synonyms. Varying your verbs keeps your resume engaging and dynamic, helping to paint a clearer picture of your accomplishments.
Instead of repeatedly using “managed,” consider alternatives like “orchestrated,” “spearheaded,” or “supervised,” depending on the context. Likewise, rather than always saying “improved,” try “enhanced,” “streamlined,” or “revitalized” to better capture your impact.
Thoughtful word choice demonstrates attention to detail and makes your resume stand out to hiring managers.
4. Trim The Fat From Your Resume
This may be the most important tip for creating a powerful resume that will get read and noticed. The hiring manager or recruiter may have dozens of resumes to review, so make sure yours is easy to get through. Write succinctly, be specific, edit out filler words, and trim the unnecessary detail that doesn’t add to your qualifications for the position.
Review and edit. Then, review and edit again.
Also, pay close attention to formatting, ensuring consistency in font, spacing, and bullet points for a polished, professional look. Having plenty of white space is important! Finally, don’t forget to tailor your resume for each job application, emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences to align with the job description.
The digital age has brought challenges to the job seeker, but they can be overcome. Spend the time to create a powerful resume. Make sure it gets the attention that it deserves.
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