4 Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out
Your resume is likely the first impression potential employers will see as you go through the job search process. Just like your interview outfit, your resume can speak volumes before you even get a word in. Did you wash and iron your interview outfit? Or, did you wake up late and throw on the cleanest looking shirt from your laundry pile? First impressions are a big deal when it comes to job seeking, and as recruiters who look at multiple resumes on a daily basis, we see our fair share of them. Here are our favorite tips for how to best use your resume to market yourself for your next job:
1. Check your spelling
Check your spelling. Then, check your spelling again. Accurate grammar, punctuation and spelling is one the of easiest ways to set yourself apart when writing your resume. Conversely, a poorly written resume – even just a few typos – can be a red flag for any future employer. It can be helpful to take a few days to review your resume before you send it along. With fresh eyes you might catch a typo that you missed the day before.
2. Consider the document layout
Resumes not only hold your career achievements and accolades, they are also a visual representation of your job history. Do your resume readers a favor and create a clean, visually appealing resume that isn’t cluttered with excess words. Bullet points are a great way to relay concise information clearly. There are many resources available online for finding resume templates. Even a quick Google image search can provide you with the inspiration you need to design a great layout.
3. Be honest about your work history
You may think this is an unnecessary tip, but according to HireRight’s Employee Screening Benchmark Report, a staggering 85% of candidates lie on their resumes. Chances are good that if you lie it will eventually come to light. Instead of having to explain yourself, be honest and upfront about your skills. If you have a gap in your employment history, that’s okay. Employers understand that life happens. If you aren’t sure how to best discuss a resume issue during an interview, talk with your recruiter about it.
4. Only include relevant job history
Sure, you may have been an awesome burger-flipper back in the day, but if those skills aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for, save room and remove that position from your resume. Instead, try to quantify things you’ve done in your previous positions that saved your company time, money or increased revenue. Quantification and numbers are an easy way to show a potential employer how you can add value to their company.
Starting a job search can be intimidating, exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. Here at NW Staffing Resources, we wish you the best in your job search and would love the opportunity to help. Check out our open jobs and apply today, or contact your local branch to connect with a recruiter. Happy hunting!
