Posted 12 September 2023
Tips to Boost Your Resume
According to Forbes, an average of 118 people apply for any given job. Additionally, only 20% of those applicants get an interview. These statistics speak to how challenging and important it is to get your resume in front of an organization’s hiring committee. Read on to discover key tips to get your credentials ahead of the herd to assist with landing your next dream job!
Tip 1: Keep it Relevant
While many of us can share our extensive work history and accomplishments from years past, it’s important to consider if it’s valuable to the position you’re applying for. If the job you held previously was more than 10 years ago or doesn’t relate to how you’ve gained the skills for this new position, consider leaving it off your resume. This also includes not listing a more-average GPA since employers aren’t looking for “just average” employees!
Listing these dated or irrelevant experiences and achievements can distract potential employers from key skills and attributes they’re hiring for. Instead, list certifications, accomplishments, and previous employers only if they add to your resume in a way that speaks to your acquired knowledge and talents. If you’re a recent graduate or don’t have a vast employment history, consider creating a functional or competency-based resume that showcases your skills grouped by theme alongside professional experiences.
Tip 2: Consider Your Word Choice
Employers are hunting for someone who has obtained the knowledge and skillset they’re looking for, and what better way to learn what they’re searching for than by reading the job posting? As you review this information, think of ways you embody their ideal candidate and point to this in your resume by using the same or similar keywords where possible. For example, some organizations will directly state they are looking for someone with experience in claims submission, public speaking, or who has obtained certain qualifications or certifications. Using these same words when highlighting your experiences will allow employers to know you fit the job description.
Be sure to use active language when providing pointed examples, then lead your statements with phrases containing these words. Using action verbs like “led,” “directed,” “conducted,” “created,” etc. will help concisely express what you did during your time with previous employers. For example, the statement “Managed 7 projects while creating and implementing new onboarding procedures to increase department retention rates from 50% to 80%” communicates what action you took with few words and strong language, allowing a hiring representative to easily see how you fit the role.
Tip 3: Individualize Your Resume
While resume templates can be helpful to provide suggestions for headings, fonts, and margins, they should be modified to resemble and highlight your unique experiences. For example, if the position you’re applying for is only your first or second job, you might include sections that speak to your academic achievements, relevant coursework, volunteer work, and internships instead of listing a traditional work history heading. In doing this, you can highlight your accomplishments and proficiencies rather than point out your limited employment record.
As you apply for multiple positions, you can reuse your resume but be sure to find ways to individualize it for each job opportunity where applicable. This could be a matter of modifying some of the keywords in your resume or revising relevant experiences or credentials to allow your application to stand out.
Implementing these tips should allow potential employees to easily recognize if you’re a good fit for a role while offering you an opportunity to highlight your relevant qualifications and achievements that speak to different positions. Operating in this manner will likely lead to more interviews, putting you one step closer to landing your next job. Good luck!
Sources:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/functional-resume-tips-and-examples
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/10-resume-writing-tips
©2023 Reseda Group LLC, used under license.
