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If you aim to get hired, mastering the art of resume writing is crucial. We get it; crafting a resume can be daunting. You’re faced with the task of sifting through your experiences, and selecting those that best demonstrate you’re the perfect fit for the job. The dilemma intensifies when you encounter a deluge of online advice, often contradictory. Some insist on a succinct one-page document while others suggest a comprehensive three-pager to cover your entire experience. So, where does that leave you?
This article does not aim to provide you with a comprehensive list of strategies for crafting a winning resume. Instead, it offers valuable tips to help you avoid common errors that could potentially turn off prospective employers.
Resume mistakes 95% of candidates make
A significant proportion of resumes find their way to a recruiter’s trash bin due to the violation of one fundamental rule. Upon receipt, recruiters scrutinize resumes not in search of magnificence, but rather professionalism and grammatical accuracy. The first red flag they look for errors, so presenting a polished, error-free document is crucial.
Research shows that creating a highly effective resume should include three main elements: quantitative results, a simple design, and a quirky interests section. Click To TweetMistake number one – sloppy language with many typos, spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. Before you send the resume, have it reviewed by three different sources, a friend, a professional, and spell-checking software. Spell check is covered when you write the resume in Google Docs. It would be wise to hire a professional editor to review the document before sending it to the recruiter.
Mistake number two – A long, formal summary won’t stand out. Don’t lose yourself in paragraphs extolling your drive and result-oriented work ethic. To a recruiter, it’s just another text block, indistinguishable from countless others. Instead, craft a concise, impactful summary that hits home, spotlighting the relevant experiences that position you perfectly for the role.
Mistake number three – it includes too many buzzwords. Terms like driven
Mistake number four – having a too-long resume. The average recruiter spends around six seconds reviewing the resume, and they don’t usually read what’s on the second page. So, it would help if you increased the margins, decrease the font, and cut down the experience irrelevant to the position.
The elements of a resume that gets you hired should include
Research shows that creating a highly effective resume should include three main elements: quantitative results, a simple design, and a quirky interests section.
Let’s talk about each of them.
Quantitative results
It’s surprising how many resumes overlook the power of quantitative results, a crucial element that attracts attention. Neglecting to include tangible data is a missed opportunity, as studies show these specifics often differentiate a resume that secures an interview from one that ends up in the bin.
Employers are not seeking cookie-cutter resumes pulled from the internet; they want a preview of what to expect if they were to hire you. For instance, if you’ve spearheaded in-house marketing strategies in your current role, let potential employers know how they were implemented, assessed, and the Return on Investment (ROI) achieved. Detailing such strategies and their impact can give you a competitive edge.
Your resume should talk about your daily activities, but it should focus on the results and include measurable metrics and achievements to showcase your value for the company. When you include data and measurable metrics in
A simple design that hooks the recruiter
These days everyone thinks that they need to stand out from the crowd. Recruiters see hundreds of resumes that overhaul from video resumes to heavy graphic-detailed resumes and even resumes hidden in boxes of candies. They may work in some specific cases, but you aim for a strategy that works all the time. The format that pleases the recruiter at all times is a black and white template that consists of the following sections, in this exact order:
- Summary or objective
- Experience
- Education
- Volunteer work
- Skills and interests
This is the most familiar template recruiters work with, and they find it easier to digest it. They scan the resume for 6 seconds to decide if you’re a good candidate, and if it comes in an unfamiliar form, they may not even have a glimpse at it.
The summary can hook them up. You should do it in bullets and not paragraph form, and it should include three or four highlights of your experience relevant to the position.
The interests section should be relatable, unique, and quirky
This is a hack you can use to build a personal connection with the recruiter reading
Brands often leverage emotional responses through their advertising campaigns, a strategy you can emulate in your resume to engage recruiters.
Wondering what to include in the interests section? It could range from fitness to cryptocurrencies, reading, or cooking. Select a topic that could serve as a conversation starter during an interview. For instance, if you enjoyed a vacation to Thailand, indicating your passion for travel to exotic locations could pique the recruiter’s interest.
With these insights at your disposal,
Stand out from all the rest by crafting letters and resumes that will blow people away. This career reference guide provides a simple, compelling and foolproof way to create both cover letters and resumes that are uniquely powerful and, most importantly, virtually guarantees you the high value job interviews and career you really want.
