Are you sick of staring at the same old resume?
Are you worried your resume continues to get overlooked because it’s so basic and boring?
Has anyone ever told you that it doesn’t matter how your resume looks, as long as the experience and skills are there?
It depends on the job, but there are so many stories in the news about job seekers making creative video resumes, or hacking into a social platform to show that they can, or promising to play piano on the spot.
If you’re like most job seekers, you’re probably hoping that your resume stands out enough to get a call or interview that will allow you to demonstrate that you’re the perfect fit for the job. A few quick tips to help you rise to the top of the candidate pile:
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- Customize your cover letter and keep it short. Do away with the obvious—like “Dear Sir or Madam.” If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, just start your cover letter with “I’m responding to your job posting for [job title] and would love the opportunity to interview with your company!” And then include the highlights that make you the best candidate.
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- Objective statements are out; summaries are in. At the beginning of your resume (which you will customize based on the job for which you are applying), include a short summary statement about your relevant skills. Make it “skimmable” and intriguing.
- Use your past job experience descriptions to make quantifiable statements whenever possible. Potential employers care about metrics (and they care about YOU caring about measurable goals).
