Oftentimes, many think creative resume designs help them stand out to hiring managers. Although this would seem logical, in a survey, 23% of recruiters saw it as a “deal-breaker.” This is because it is distracting for them when scanning.
Submitting a layout that would enable hiring managers to skim
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1. Prioritize Format Over Design
easily would do you more good than an aesthetic resume. This, of course, is with the exception for people in the graphic design industry.
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2. Include Remote or Technical Skills
Ever since the pandemic, many businesses from different industries have adjusted their strategies. Many of these adjustments have led to the increased implementation of digital technology for many firms.
With this in mind, include any remote work that you have. This shows that you have competence in technology.
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2. Include Remote or Technical Skills
In the times we live in, it is becoming increasingly more necessary to be informed of recent technological innovations. Due to this reality, consider cultivating or growing your software or computer skills to include on your resume.
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3. Include a Resume Summary
Recruiters spend on average 6-12 seconds scanning each resume. For this reason, a resume summary section is crucial to have. This is where you can set the bias in your favor. If you fail to capture their attention here, your chances of getting a call back are slim.
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3. Include a Resume Summary
In this section, give them a glimpse of your relevant skills and experience. Also, use buzzwords from the company. These are words that are repeated multiple times on the firm’s website. Additionally, knowing the company mission and mirroring it in your resume will benefit you.
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4. Optimize Your Resume for ATS
When constructing your resume, it is paramount that it is readable to not only people, but robots as well.Many mid-size and large companies use a Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This is a software that filters out the best candidates for the role. In order to get past this system, consider:
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4. Optimize Your Resume for ATS
- ditching the tables- leaving out columns- excluding images or icons- including keywords from your job description- including buzzwords from the company’s website- submitting it as a.doc or .docx, or plain-text file rather than a .pdf
After getting through the machines, resumes that are readable to humans are equally
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4. Optimize Your Resume for ATS
as important. Recruiters are in the position to help you land your dream job. By making their lives easier, you’ll be closer to making your dream a reality.
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5. Include Quantifiable Achievements
You’ve probably heard that it’s important to use action words in your resume. People use them when describing their previous job activities. While the job task description might be true, they fail to show the efficacy of one completing a job.
Companies are more concerned with the results of
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5. Include Quantifiable Achievements
your activities. For this reason, it’s not sufficient to simply describe your job tasks. Using metrics to show the results of you doing those activities is also needed.
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6. Show In-Demand Soft Skills
Historically, it has been viewed that hard skills had more weight to them in terms of hiring potential candidates. Recent studies are now showing that soft skills are becoming of great importance as well.
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7. Utilize Online Services/Resume Builders
There is no doubt that most people are busier than ever and may not have the time to craft the perfect resume. Thankfully, we live in a time where technology exists to make life easier. Opting for resume building software or services can save you the time and hassle. The downside to using some of
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7. Utilize Online Services/Resume Builders
these services is that the average cost ranges from $100-$400. If you can afford it, the reviews are positive, so consider it an investment.If you feel that the costs do not justify the service, you can hire a resume-writing freelancer. If you have the time to make your own resume, but don’t know where to start, consider using already made templates.
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7. Utilize Online Services/Resume Builders
With these, you can simply fill in your personal info without the inconvenience of making a layout from scratch.
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8. Avoid Common Resume Mistakes
Regardless of where you are in your career, you are not immune to making common resume mistakes. Even having incorrect spelling can ruin your chances of landing an interview.
Here are some of the most common resume mistakes and tips on how you can avoid making them.
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8. Avoid Common Resume Mistakes
Grammatical errors It never hurts to proofread your work as well as getting someone else to review it. Having a second person read it can help you catch the mistakes that you might’ve missed.Unprofessional emailsShowing professionalism will help improve your personal branding. This is because it
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8. Avoid Common Resume Mistakes
signals to employers that you take yourself and your work seriously. Outdated info Be sure to keep your resume updated by listing the most recent work experience and new skills gained. Be mindful of updating your contact information so that firms can get a hold of you.
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8. Avoid Common Resume Mistakes
Length One common mistake is writing paragraphs on resumes. This not only makes it harder for hiring professionals to skim, but longer texts make it hard to showcase your skills. Keep your sentences short by using bullet points. This makes your resume easier to digest for recruiters.
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8. Avoid Common Resume Mistakes
Generic and not tailoredOftentimes, applicants give limited to no effort in making a job landing resume. This is a costly mistake as it shows a lack of effort which ruins your odds of standing out.To make one, it is highly recommended to research the company for each job you apply for. Additionally, it would be
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8. Avoid Common Resume Mistakes
also beneficial if applicants understood the job description of the role they want. By doing this, they can successfully include industry-related terms on their resume. Yes, it takes time to do this, but in doing so, you have increased your probability of being a potential candidate for the position.