How To Tailor Your Resume To Get That Dream Job?

by

23 September 2024

Job & Career

Resume Tips

Looking for resume tips is far from a waste of time. Even if you are a seasoned professional at job hunting!

Your resume is your first impression in the professional world, and let’s face it, it could make or break your candidacy.

Before you even sit for that interview, the resume will catch their eyes first!

Whether you’re just starting in your career or looking to make a shift, an impressive résumé opens doors.

So, here is how you can turn your resume from good to the absolute best!

Resume Tips 101

So, without further ado, let’s edit that piece of paper together.

1. Nail Your Header

Nail Your Header

Name, professional title, and contact information.

Link to LinkedIn profile or personal website.

These are the two must-haves of your CV heading. No, you do not have to make it fancy but straightforward. So that everyone knows what you do professionally.

This will automatically help your recruiters link it to their current job position.

Not only does this allow employees to find and connect with you, but it also adds a modern edge to your resume.

2. Write A Powerful Career Summary

This is a short introduction paragraph like a modified objective statement describing your skills and qualifications.

Therefore, make it short but impactful!

Your summary should be about 3-5 sentences, packed with keywords from the job description. But do not make it too long so that it bores your audience.

3. Keep It formatted

Stick to one that will make your resume easy to read: chronological, functional, or hybrid.

Unless you have a unique situation, such as a career change, most recruiters would prefer the chronological format.

It makes it easier to understand!

4. Make It ATS Friendly

This is new, but this is the new corporate, and our resume tips must cater to the same.

Many companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to scan your resume.

If the ATS can’t read your resume, it won’t make it to human eyes. Could you Keep it clean and straightforward?

5. Tailor Your Resume For Each Job

Tailor Your Resume For Each Job

Tailor your resume to each job you apply for by highlighting the responsibilities and qualifications listed in the job posting.

Try to incorporate the exact words and phrases in the job posting to ensure it’s a close match.

Yes, it could be tedious, but it is important at the end of the day!

Remember, a general resume won’t impress anyone. A tailored resume shows effort, which will make you stand out.

6. Highlight Your Achievements, Not Just Duties

Employers want to know your winning game! Not just what you were responsible for.

Therefore, use bullet points with quantifiable results like, “Increased sales by 20% in six months.”

This is where you show the impact of your work, not just what you did.

7. Use Action Verbs

Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb such as “managed,” “designed,” “created,” or “led.”  

One of the best resume tips we would provide is, to stop being like the others. Even when you are using certain verbs.

Therefore, beware of using overused words like:

“Responsible for” or “Assisted with.”

Use strong action verbs on your resume to set them apart and add a more professional, put-together look.

 8. Include Your Soft Skills As Well

During your employment with another company, you acquire other hard skills. This is outside that specific role that could be pertinent to the work.

Yes, you should include them as well!

Don’t forget about your soft skills, such as communication, conceptual skills, teamwork, etc.

However, try to avoid bringing them in as achievements.

Show the employer that you have the skills to do the job you are applying for. Plus, it will achieve your new goals with knowledge, but knowing itself is no achievement.

9. Keep It Short

One page is standard for most resumes, especially for students.

If you have ten or more years of work experience– you can consider a two-page resume.

Please Do not overdo it when you do not have much experience to show.

Especially when recruiters are looking for reasons to eliminate candidates, and they will scan them.

10. Add A Professional Title

Add a Professional Title

It works essentially the same as a headline on a newspaper or article – it draws the reader in and makes her want to read more.

Your headline is your tagline. It’s your one shot to make an impression and entice the recruiter to spend more time reading your resume.

This simple step helps clarify your resume’s intent.   

11. Present A Robust Work Experience Section

Start with your most recent job.

Use 3-5 bullet points to list your achievements for each role.

But don’t just list your responsibilities. Show how you made a difference as well.

12. Use Numbers Whenever You Can

Numbers can make your resume much more credible than ever. They grab attention and prove your results.

For example, instead of saying, “Improved customer service,” you can say, “Reduced customer complaints by 15%.” Instead of “Grew revenues,” say “Increased revenue by 30%.

Quantify your work whenever possible. It leaves no room for doubt about the value you bring to the table.

13. Education Matters, But Don’t Overdo It

If you’ve worked for over five years, place your education at the bottom of your resume.

Include your degree, school, and graduation year if you’re still in college or have recently graduated.

Your education section can stay at the top of your resume for new grads. However, if you have some experience, move them to the end.

14. Relevant Certifications

If there are any certifications related to your industry, add them to your resume. Getting certified helps, but do not add the irrelevant ones from the years gone by.

Plus, try to get these certifications from credible sources to add weight to your resume.

List them after your education. Or, if you are out of school for a few years, you can list them in a separate section.

If you took a more relevant course to the job, you’re applying for include it as well!

15. Don’t Get Too Fancy

Don’t Get Too Fancy

You do have to make it a graphic design project!

However, keeping a strong format that is visually calming and easy to read is also important.

Use font styles that are easy to read, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.

Make sure each section has bold headings so a recruiter can easily navigate your document.

Good design isn’t about flashiness. It’s about making your information easy to read and look professional.

16. No Clichés

Don’t use phrases like “Hard Worker” or “Team Player”! They are boring and cliche, and almost everyone writes the same. So, provide examples that demonstrate those things instead.

Demonstrate these skills with specific real-life examples rather than using stock phrases that lack the power to convey your true worth.

Just like a cliché doesn’t make an impression, the same applies to your resume. It’s all about demonstrating how you are different than others.

17. Tailor Your Resume For The Industry

Let’s be honest: if you’re applying for a design position in a creative company like Wieden Kennedy, your resume shows that better!

Stick to more traditional formats for industries like finance or law.

However, in modern-day digital marketing jobs, ensure that your resume holds that promise.

Know who you are presenting to and design your presentation accordingly.

18. Be Honest About Your Experience

Don’t lie or over-embellish your skills and experience.

Recruiters will quickly pick up on it when they meet you in person for an interview or check your references.

Suppose you have been less than honest; that deletes your credibility.  Yes, integrity is everything, and employers need to trust you.

19. Don’t Be Shy About Going Into Detail With Your Career Gaps

One of the common questions we often hear is “How to write s resume when I have a gap year?”

If you have gaps in your employment history, you can say, “I was caring for a sick family member,” or “I took three years off to raise my children.”  

However, it was always better to be honest than to embellish your gap years to make yourself sound fancy.

For example, “I was backpacking through Western Europe.” Unless you were actually. You never know when your recruiter might ask you a question.

It’s also productive to include freelance work or volunteer activities during gaps rather than using the gap as a reason for being unproductive.

Employers appreciate honesty. It is not a good idea to over-explain gaps.

Link to an Online Portfolio

If you have a portfolio of your work, consider linking to it in your resume. Especially for creative people, writers, or designers.

The portfolio is an example of the skills you can show.

21. Use White Space Effectively

Don’t overdo it with dense blocks of text.  Recruiters looking to skim through your resume for the basics will appreciate white space and easy-to-read headings.

Keep margins and line spacing consistent!

White space helps, too!

Literally, it looks ‘cleaner’ and is easier for recruiters to read and process information (according to the eye-tracking model of how people read resumes).

22. Leave Out Irrelevant Job Experience

Any part-time work or job that doesn’t relate to your career should be left out.

You don’t have to include all the jobs you have ever worked at!

Focus on roles that highlight transferable skills or experiences.

23. Work Experience Only (Unless You’re A Recent Grad)

On a resume, you should do so much more than just internships and volunteer work.

Internships and volunteer experience are the best things to have on your resume if you haven’t had real job experience. However, if you’ve been in the workforce for at least one month, stick to work experience.

Highlight what you achieved and your responsibilities in the position, just as you would for a job.

24. Proofread To Perfection

Because even the most qualified candidate can lose out if they make a spelling or grammatical error in their CV. Henceforth, one of our best resume review tips would be to proofread until you are 90% satisfied (because you will never be at 100%, and that is okay).

Use Grammarly or ask someone to read your resume.

No matter what you do, you must have learned that the devil is in the details. Well, it starts with a resume.

25. Skip The Photos, Graphics, Or Fancy Fonts.

Skip the Photos, Graphics, or Fancy Fonts.

These elements can distract or confuse ATS systems. Making it difficult for it to scan for digital recording.

A clean, professional layout is the first step to being considered for the job.

One simple photo is enough. You can look into these interview attire for men and women to help you take a professional CV photo.

26. If You Can Send A Resume, You Can Write A Cover Letter

There is no reason not to send a cover letter with your resume.

In fact, a cover letter can help you make a better impression. Especially if the cover letter is curated to match the job description you are applying for.

It’s your chance to demonstrate enthusiasm and explain why you’re a good fit for the role.

27. Be Careful With The Grammar

Use present tense for current roles and past tense for previous ones

Make sure that the format of your resume remains consistent.

A professional resume should look diligent. Here is how you can do so:

Promote focus while you are learning.

Did you get promoted? Lead bigger teams? Manage larger budgets?

Your resume should be read as a progression of development.

Omit pronouns such as I, me, or my in your resume.

Keep it formal and professional.

This keeps everything sounding clean and polished.

28. Don’t Overdo The Personal Statements

If you put a photo on your CV, it’s likely to be the first thing an employer sees. So, it’s worth spending time perfecting it.

As much as you want to look professional, there’s no point in looking stiff. In fact, you should amend the tone of your photo slightly to match how you present yourself throughout the CV.

Now, coming to your hobbies.

Do not add random hobbies like “taking my dog for a walk.” Yes, even your hobbies should give a subtle hint of your job profile.

Try to add stuff that shows your potential employer how interesting of a person you are outside of this one little job.

29. Don’t Wait Till You’re job Hunting To Update Your Resume

This is one of the biggest mistakes we all make. Only updating the CV before we are about to get

Among all the resume tips, this one is for everyone who is now quite secure in their job.

Go home and update your resume immediately! This should include your new accomplishments, jobs, or talents.

A current resume means you’re always ready for new opportunities!

30. Have References Ready

 Have References Ready

You don’t need to put references on your resume, but it’s a good idea to have them ready if a potential employer asks.

Ensure you know your references, and they are willing to put in a good word for you.

References are the one thing that can make or break your chances of getting the job. So, choose wisely.

Do Not Get Overwhelmed!

It can be not very safe to face the task of writing your resume, but it’s an essential part of applying for a job. Your resume is your opportunity to make a great first impression on potential employers.

Regardless of how strong the candidate pool might be, this is your chance to let your skills and experience shine through. To win that interview opportunity, you must integrate your skills effectively.

Your resume will evolve over time, but when you’re writing one for each application you submit, use our resume tips to represent yourself best!

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

How to Choose a Career

The Secret To Finding A Career That You’ll Actually Love

If you’re still in the phase of life where you’re figuring out the best job for you, there’s probably a lot on your mind. It takes a lot of “soul searching” and research to decide on a career that you’ll love. Contrary to some people’s beliefs, loving your career can be important. So here are some tips on how to choose a career. Explore Your Interests As you’re thinking about what to do for a career, think about the kinds of things that pique your interest. For example, you might be really into dentistry and want to find out what a career would be like. Explore what kind of jobs are available in that field. Whether you decide to become a dentist or study a dental assistant program. Knowing that you’re interested in a specific industry can help you narrow down your options.  Ponder On Your Passions When it comes to your passions, there could be clues in there. You could find that there are career choices that align with your passions and that could actually be ideal for your future. Perhaps you love a good debate, and you’re always found debating some topic or another.  In this type of scenario, you could always consider getting into law or something similar. The kind that puts you in touch with the kind of experiences that you already enjoy having. It doesn’t hurt to be passionate about what you do to make money.  Think About Your Skills Your passions and interests are clues to the type of career that could interest you. If you’re looking to narrow it down even more, you may want to think about your talents.  If you know you have a knack for words, something that aligns with that skill could be an ideal fit. Maybe you’re a musical person? Getting into a career where your skills allow you to be naturally good. It is also something that makes your future career a lot easier.  It helps to use your talent in your work because even if you have to study for a degree to succeed at it. Therefore, you’ll have an easier time at it than someone who may not have the natural skills that you do.  Talk To Experienced Mentors As you try to decide what work would be best for you, talk to experienced mentors. They can help you know which way to go by providing a road map of what has worked best for them.  This could be someone you know who has had a long career in the field you like. Or it could be a mentor from your school’s mentorship program.  Either way, speaking to a person who has experience in a career you’re considering can be beneficial to you and your decision-making.  Try Interning Before understanding how to choose a career, you can always dip your toes into different career options. Internships are one of them! While most people will do an internship as they are close to graduating from school, you could always try for an internship just to try out certain jobs. As long as you already have some natural skill or know-how in it.  You may not receive a lot of pay, but at least you gain the insight to know whether or not it's the job that you want in your future. It doesn’t hurt to explore options before deciding on the ultimate career path for you. It’s a big decision, don’t be afraid of not taking it lightly.  From internships to mentors, exploring your passions, skills, and interests, and making a decision on your career.  However, it can be simplified by pondering the concepts mentioned above.  Life is long, and so is a career, so take your time making a decision like this one. How Professional Career Counseling Can Help Deciding what you want to do with your life can be tough, even in the best of circumstances.  Fortunately, there are experts who are ready to help you make sense of it all. If you’re wondering how to figure out what career is right for you, a career counselor can steer you in the right direction. Here’s why. Understanding Your Aptitude Career counselors know how to help people tap into their own wants and needs when it comes to understanding what kind of work will spark joy. They’ll ask questions designed to uncover the activities that energize and excite you most in life. Then, show you how those things connect with potential careers that could be incredibly fulfilling. It Will Be Personal To Your Needs Another good thing about career counseling is that it’s individualized. Career counselors won’t give you a general answer to a generalized problem.  They’ll focus on your specific character, strengths and weaknesses, desires, and problems. From there, they can assist you in figuring out what careers would work best for someone with your qualities and abilities.  Regardless of whether you need to pick a vocation interestingly or are pondering about an alternate one. This is when customized guidance can represent the critical moment in your prosperity. Direct Assistance (Whenever You Are Lost) Career advisors are additionally incredible for offering direct assistance.  They also help you improve your resume, act in interviews, and even fruitful organizing aptitudes, all of which can be significant when hoping to get a new position or to find employment elsewhere. Plus, if you’re not even sure what kind of qualifications you need, or education, for that matter, career counseling can help with that, too. They will basically map out exactly what you need to do, from checking out different degree options to see what is best for you at the time to figuring out where the market is headed. It’s all in their master plan for you! Ultimately, career counseling exists because people need help making educated decisions about their careers.  If this looks like it’s impossible to navigate your way without some sort of guidance (let’s face it, some of us really don’t have a clue), then a career counselor could be your key. Why try to figure it out on your own and get overwhelmed when there are professionals who can make that twisted path straight? Read Also: Building Your Conceptual Skills A Guide for Career Growth What Does A Career In Anesthesiology Look Like? Click To Know

READ MOREDetails
Blockchain Developer

How To Become A Blockchain Developer In 2024? Is It A Good Career Path

Well, are you planning to become a blockchain developer? In this case, you must be passionate about cryptography, coding, and Blockchain technology. This means you might be curious to combine such interests and wonder how to become a blockchain developer. Above all, blockchain technology is about reshaping how we interact, exchange, and transact information online. With such immense potential, a wide range of industries are transforming. After a long research, I have developed some factors for becoming a blockchain developer. A blockchain developer is mainly like a data scientist. In this case, you would get an overview of becoming a blockchain developer. Of course, this includes essential skills, several training options, education, and multiple career opportunities. Skills and Qualifications Blockchain technology has been gaining popularity over the last few years. Not only that, but the blockchain developer industry needs candidates who can design well and know how to develop and maintain the significance and usage of multiple blockchain-based apps. Below, I will discuss the skills and qualifications of a blockchain developer in 2024. 1) Programming languages One of the most significant skills you need as a blockchain developer is knowing about programming languages. Ensure that, as a blockchain developer, you have an in-depth understanding of several programming languages. Some of the commonly used in the Blockchain development industry are Python, JavaScript, and Go. Above all, these programming languages can help you to create effective and efficient blockchain applications. So that you, as a blockchain developer, can handle a large set of data and transactions.     2) Cryptography and Security Blockchain is such an important built on the foundation of cryptography. As a blockchain developer, you must understand the science of encrypting and decrypting data. Furthermore, as a blockchain developer, you must know and understand several other cryptographic protocols.     Additionally, security is a significant and crucial aspect of blockchain development. This is an essential part of being aware of blockchain security best practices, and you can have an in-depth understanding of how to incorporate access controls and other security measures to build securely and safely.     3) Smart Contracts and Decentralized Applications Smart Contracts are self-executing computer programs that would automate contract terms between parties. Above all, multiple smart contracts are such a critical component, especially of several blockchain-based applications. In this case, they help automate the procedures like artificial intelligence architect, ensuring the transactions are complete. These are mainly conducted in a decentralized, translucent, and secure manner. DApps are applications that run on the Blockchain. Above all, these are not controlled by any central authority. To be a blockchain developer, you must be skilled at developing, designing, and testing such intelligent contracts. After all, DApps are secure, user-friendly, and reliable. Qualifications: 1) Blockchain developer boot camps    If you want a more immersive and intensive learning experience, do a blockchain developer boot camp. Virtual boot camps are such a significant and excellent starting point that you would get hands-on building experience. After all, professional engineers are also required to provide essential guidance. 2) Online courses and Tutorials     There are numerous online courses and other tutorials that can help you get started. This would apply to your path and help you become a blockchain developer. Websites like Udemy, Coursera, and Code Academy recently offered several courses on Blockchain technology. These courses range from free introductory courses to more advanced courses on blockchain technology. 3) University Programs and Certifications Several universities offer Blockchain-related programs and other certifications. In this case, these programs range from undergraduate and graduate degrees, especially in engineering and computer science. Some universities provide blockchain courses and programs, such as Yale University, UC Berkeley, NTU Singapore, etc.     Responsibilities To become a blockchain developer, leverage their cryptography, programming, and other distributed systems expertise. Below, I will discuss several of the responsibilities of a blockchain developer. Being a blockchain developer, you must know how to design and incorporate intelligent contracts. You not only need self-contracts, but you also must know about self-executing contracts with other predefined rules that are encoded on the Blockchain. Blockchain developers contribute to the development of Blockchain protocols. On the other hand, being a blockchain developer, you must understand such rules and other consensus mechanisms that govern blockchain networks. Another significant responsibility of a blockchain developer is to build decentralized applications. This would run on multiple blockchain networks. These dApps span various domains, including finance, supply chain management, and many others. Recently, Blockchain developers have conducted security audits, which help you identify several other vulnerabilities. Furthermore, this would also ensure the resilience and integrity of blockchain systems. They incorporate such best practices to secure coding, key management, and encryption to shield against cyber hacks and threats. Tools and Technologies It can be exciting and lucrative if you plan to pursue your career in the Blockchain industry. However, this is important for becoming a successful blockchain developer. Below, I will discuss the tools and technologies that blockchain developers use. 1) Solidity Solidity is one of the most crucial and most used software a blockchain developer can use. This software tool was created to target the Ethereum Virtual Machine, and C++, JavaScript, and Python influenced this. Aside from that, Solidity supports the OOP paradigm, and cis is another crucial language, especially for creating such intelligent contracts. Blockchain developers can create such applications to perform the self-enforcing business logic to contain the smart contracts.     2) MetaMask A Chrome Extension that could communicate with dApps is known as MetaMask. In this case, users can quickly receive and send such digital assets by using this open-source and decentralized wallet. Aside from that, this is simple to use and has many beneficial features, which MetaMask has recently surpassed all other dApps browsers.     3) Truffle     As a blockchain developer, Truffle is one of the most essential software if you are looking for an Ethereum programming environment, asset pipeline, and testing framework. Aside from that, this is a famous tool among other developers because it allows them to combine easily, interact, deploy, and so many others. Even more, this is one of the most prominent tools in the entire cryptocurrency world.     4) Remix IDE Another well-known blockchain tool that a blockchain developer uses is Remix IDE. Moreover, this browser-focused blockchain development tool assists in creating and deploying several other smart contracts. Challenges And Solutions As we know, blockchain technology has evolved in recent years. That is why blockchain developers have faced multiple challenges and solutions. Below, I will discuss a blockchain developer's challenges and solutions. 1) Decentralization One of the most significant reasons the blockchain industry uses blockchains is decentralization. In this case, the transactions are confirmed by a set of nodes somewhat of a single node. Once the transactions are reviewed, they can't be changed. 2) Scalability After all, scalability depends on the potential to handle more transactions. As the demand continues to increase, all operating and defending systems from cyberattacks remain challenging. 3) Security Security is a significant benefit and a challenge for blockchain development. In this case, people can see, the security technology of a blockchain would be the target for cybercriminals. In Conclusion I have discussed how to become a blockchain developer in 2024 above in this article. Recently, Blockchain development has been at the forefront of technology. After all, discovering the ways of becoming a blockchain developer can unlock such a crucial career path, offering several other opportunities for growth and invention. I hope you find this article helpful. If you have queries, please comment below! Learn More About: Can Blockchain Help In Other Ways Apart From Cryptocurrencies? All About XMR: Blockchain Type, Specific Features, Price Prediction The Basic Principles Of Blockchain Fund Administration And E-Wallet

READ MOREDetails
employee productivity

7 Ways to Boost Employee Productivity and Create a Positive Culture

Most people will spend roughly 40 hours per week at their workplace. Yet despite spending so much time at the office, the average worker is only productive for less than three hours per day. Less productivity means wasted time and less profit. Additionally, an unproductive workplace is often caused by a lack of happiness. If your office is struggling with employee productivity, it may be time to look at some ways to boost it by creating a positive culture 7 Ways to Boost Employee Productivity and Create a Positive Culture: Here are seven ways you can promote a happier, more productive workplace. 1. Set a Good Example Through Body Language: When it comes to office decorum, we often think about things like polite conduct. But one of the biggest signs that employees are unhappy may not be verbal at all. Often, unhappiness manifests in physical ways, such as body language. Psychologists believe that the way we present ourselves physically through our body language has a major impact on how others see and interact with us -- even if we aren't always aware. If you've noticed a change in employee morale for the worse, set a good example by focusing on creating a warmer, happier environment through physicality. Something as simple as making eye contact to show interest or smiling can have a big impact on the work environment. 2. Facilitate Team Activities: To reach peak potential, an office must be a well-oiled machine. Every employee must do their part to put out the highest caliber of a workday in and day out. For some, though, they may feel less like a team and more like a series of individuals. Reinforce teamwork through regular group activities. Once a month or so, take the team out for a night out. Getting to know one another in a semi-professional manner outside of the office can instill a sense of belonging that many offices lack. 3. Provide a Space to Relax: The day-to-day grind can wear even the most dedicated of employees down. According to the American Institute of Stress, workers are more stressed than ever, with 46% of workers chalking their stress up to a burdensome workload. You can combat workplace stress by providing a safe, relaxing environment where employees can take a quick break. Consider building a rec room. For those who prefer fresh air, implement a community garden or talk to Shelters Direct about smoking shelters. 4. Let Employees Voice Their Opinions: A good employer is someone who listens to what their employees have to say. Make sure that employees feel they can voice their opinions and that they feel heard by their bosses. 5. Offer Incentives: Another great way to encourage employee efficiency is to offer out-of-office incentives. Partner with local businesses like gyms and health clubs to offer discounts or free memberships to employees. Perks matter more than employers think. 6. Choose Team-Building Language: Many managers aren't sure how to treat employees. Should they be stern or friendly? While the solution lies somewhere in the middle, how an employer talks to their employees does, in fact, matter. Use team-oriented language with words like 'we' and 'us' to create a stronger sense of community. 7. Give Employees The Tools to Succeed: Productive employees can only be productive if given the proper tools. That includes providing a clean and safe workspace, as well as up to date software and hardware. If you're not sure what employees need to be as productive as possible, simply ask. Improve Employee Productivity With These Great Tips: In order to establish a happy, efficient workplace, where employee productivity is at an all-time high, you'll want to follow these tips. Remember, you as a manager have the ability to make a difference, so the change starts with you. For more great tips on how to lead by example, check out our post on people management tips. Read Also: I’m Being Overworked By My Employer – What Should I Do? Staying Safe In The Office: 8 Workplace Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

READ MOREDetails