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

Nurses

Dos And Donts For Nurses Who Aspire To Succeed

Nursing is a gratifying profession. It is full of opportunities to serve the patients and make a difference for them. However, it is a vastly complex career that can be challenging to manage and full of stress. A nurse has so many things on their to-do list and so many things to avoid. The transition from a nursing school to a full-time job can be challenging and overwhelming for some individuals. Hence nurses require excellent critical thinking and coping skills to work under pressure. Individuals who choose nursing as their profession are generally kind at heart and responsible by nature. But once you are on the job, you'll soon learn the importance of being organized. There won't be any time for you to run back and forth and hunt for supplies or a pen. Under such a situation, it is easy to get distracted or vexed and forget about your responsibility of holistic care. Hence, being a nurse is not a piece of cake. But don't worry; to keep your head at work, we have you covered. Whether you're a rookie or a grizzled nurse, we have compiled a list of some critical dos and don'ts for a nurse who aspires to succeed. So read on and learn with us: What a nurse should do: 1. Consider continuous education: The best practice for any professional is to seek opportunities throughout their career. As you advance in your role as a nurse, you will discover different aspects of nursing that inspire you. So why not use this curiosity to your advantage and pursue higher education, seminars, certifications, etc.? However, several prestigious universities now offer online programs to fit your busy schedule. Did you know that online rn to MSN pmhnp programs, MSN-FNP programs, MSc, and Ph.D. programs are available? Hence, you can quickly pursue these post-graduation degrees to be competitive in the job market. 2. Listen to the patients: Listening to someone is an actual art. A good nurse listens to what the patient says, extracts the diagnosis, and defines a definite treatment. They have the skill to read between the lines and make a difference. A nurse's job is to make appropriate judgments about what they see and hear. So try to follow the holistic approach of care and create a professional assessment of what the patient is trying to explain as it impacts the treatment. 3. Clarify anything they are unsure of: Poor communication has always led to medical errors and low morale. This, in turn, leads to high stress and lower job satisfaction. Therefore, it is essential to ask questions and clarify your doubts regarding any medication or procedure. Asking questions helps you gain confidence in what you are doing. It refreshes your memory. But ensure you are clear about the instructions. If the answer doesn't seem right, ask about it again but in a different way. 4. Support the team members: A successful patient's treatment requires collaboration between the health care professionals and the practitioners. With this, try to be supportive of your fellow nurses. Be willing to work on undesirable shifts and gain respect. So when you foster a professional relationship with your colleagues, it helps you streamline your workflow, especially during busy days. What a nurse should avoid: 1. Don't say no to a patient: It is similar to anybody refusing a customer, saying that is not part of my job. So when it comes to a patient, you are the care provider and a representative of the healthcare team. A person in pain is not in the state of hearing; you say that you can't help them because your shift is over or another nurse's duty. Be empathetic and listen to them. Be polite and tell them that you are not assigned to care today; however, you will try to find the information or find someone who will help them out. 2. Don't feel ashamed in asking for help: As a new nurse, everyone tries to do as much as possible on their own. If you begin to drown, don't nurture hope that anyone will see and jump in to save you. Remember, asking for help is not shameful. Everyone has been through this. But keep in mind that there is a right way to ask for help. Try to be kind and express gratitude when you ask. Communicate in a way that doesn't make the other nurse think you are trying to pass on your job. 3. Don't disparage other professionals or organizations: Speaking ill of others is never appreciated, whether in a social setup or a professional organization. In reality, the person who does this is likely to be looked at more negatively. So if you have any conflict with anyone, it is better to deal with the matter privately. 4. Don't neglect yourself: When the career begins, we all are super excited and enthusiastic. And it is easy to live and breathe nursing. Even when you are not at work, it is part of human nature that you are worried about being more organized. However, strive for a balance and take out some time for yourself. Add some fun and exercise to your daily routine. Practicing self-care is essential to relieve workplace burnout. A take-home message: Starting a new profession is always exciting. But without the right nursing degree and license in your hand, you are not ready for the complicated world of the health care system.  A nursing school does not teach you everything, while day-to-day experiences and tough times will teach you better than anyone else. However, by following the stated dos and don'ts, you can look back on how far you have come every month. It won't be long when you are one of those experienced and successful nurses who will help the fresh graduates, remembering how it was for you at that time. Read Also: Why Are People Turning To Online Pharmacists? Seeking a Healthy Career: 10 Tempting Medical Careers to Check Out

READ MOREDetails
Craigslist Phoenix

Craigslist Phoenix – Top Money Scams To Consider

Craigslist Phoenix is a platform where you can find and post local classified ads. It’s completely free to use and performs similarly to a newspaper classifieds section. Moreover, this has listings for almost everything, personalized advertising, used cars, garage sales, housing, jobs, and much more. This is actually a place where you can sell, buy, and advertise services such as yard work or house cleaning. There are many individuals who advertise on this platform completely free. Let’s learn some more facts about Craigslist Phoenix. How Can One Post On Craigslist Phoenix? It is worth noticing that the Phoenix Craigslist homepage isn’t specifically attractive. It’s less functional and attractive than other sites, and individuals create more Cragslist’s content. Now, let’s follow the steps that one can post a free ad on Craigslist.org Phoenix. Visit the homepage of the Craigslist account to post an advertisement. Then pick a city from the dropdown menu.Just remember that the steps may vary depending on the topic of your article. Pick the sort of post you want to makeSelect other categories depending on the type of the postFill the space with your post’s text, including categoryThe name of the post should be the title of your postAfter completing the advertisement, press the continue button to proceedClick done after submitting everything.  Top Money Scams To Consider on Craigslist Phoenix You need to look at some top money scams on the Craigslist Phoenix website. 1. Craigslist Rental Home Craigslist rental home scams seem to be the most common out of all scams on Craigslist. The owner of the home has listed their contact information, and all you get to know is only the pictures. You need to deposit the advance beforehand, and then they will take the listing down. However, just after depositing the money, they disappear in no time. 2. Facebook Grant Scams Facebook scams are very popular, and many were already victims of this hack in one way or the other. In addition, most hackers send messages of getting huge dollars from the government. Moreover, it does not cost you money to get a scam from the government. You have to apply to get the desired profit. Thus, this way, your account can be hacked after clicking those scam links. 3. Credit Card Skimmers Credit card skimmers are also a type of scam on Craigslist Phoenix. The scammers take funds from customers in the area. The skimmer is placed inside the card reader in order to steal the credit card details. However, you can take some common measures to avoid these types of scams on Craigslist. At the same time, check your information and be specific that no false accusations have been created. 4. Property Manager Fraud Like EPMI Property Management, this fraud is less common. The crafty con experts used their firm to grab customer data from HOA customers’ bank accounts directly. You must be very aware of this fraud on the internet and it’s very vital to keep vigilant economic oversight. 5. Debt Relief Scam According to the sources, American individuals have many million dollars in debt. There are many on the internet who offer help and those who are in debt come into their trap very easily. So, never buy these scams because you may lose all your hard-earned money in one go. If there are pros of using interest then there are cons as well and you need to understand this. 6. Lottery Winner Scam This is another type of scam on Craigslists Phoenix. The company will mail you that you have won a lottery and they will ask for your details in order to send your check. At the same time, they will ask you to pay a bit of handling charge before receiving a check. Thus, this is a complete lottery scam that you must be aware of. 7. Internet Auction Scam There are many Phoenix-area consumers that get scammed each year after getting scammed by duplicate auction sites each year. After getting scammed by fraud websites, you can report it to the BBB platform. Then, you can just start with your credit card company and report the problem to the Attorney General’s Office. Frequently Asked Questions Here are some popularly asked questions related to Craigslist Phoenix. This extra information might be helpful.  1. What Are The Latest Craigslist Scams? If you want to really beware of craigslist scams, you need to consider these late trends –1. They often try to impersonate you.2. Scammers, now try to get your email ID. 3. They also try to use your cashier's check.  2. What Are Some Common Craigslist Scams? Some of the common Craigslist scams include –1. Canceled or fake tickets. 2. Non-local ads. 3. Craigslist sites that are fake. 4. Spamming email from PayPal. 5. Fake checks or money orders. 3. What Can A Craigslist Scammer Do Using My Phone Number? When a Craigslist Scammer has your phone number, they can do some terrible damage like –1. Cleaning our bank accounts. 2. Confiscating your email. 3. Deleting your data and hacking your social media profile. 4. They can also blackmail others by impersonating you.  The Final Thoughts  Craigslist is generally a secure website from risks such as malware and identity theft. This classified website is in the United States with sections for gigs, resumes, community service, sales, housing, employment, and much more. Besides, let me know in the comment section below if you have any queries regarding Craigslist Phoenix. Read Also: Craigslist Nashville - All You Need To KnowNew Jersey Craigslist - 10 Strangest Free Items PostedCraigslist Seattle - Weirdest Things You Can BuyCraigslist Tijuana - All You Need To KnowCraigslist Knoxville - 5 Money Scams To Watch Out

READ MOREDetails
Health Coach Certification

The 5 Most Common Questions About Earning Your Health Coach Certification!

Have you always been intrigued by the health industry? Do you enjoy working with people and helping them become the best version of themselves? If so, then becoming a health coach could be your calling. Just like any other coach - such as a life coach or sports coach - a health coach helps individuals reach their full potential by using motivational tactics, coaching, and talk therapy sessions to figure out how they can improve their overall sense of well-being and health. Let's see a few questions that people typically have about earning their health coach certification that can put your mind at ease before taking the final exam! 5 common questions about a health coach certification  1. What do you learn in a health coach course? If you are considering taking a health coach course, you can expect to learn information that will help you on your quest to help others. In the course, you can learn how to construct health and wellness plans for individual clients, how to become an expert advisor for your patient’s psychological needs, and how to formulate the best coaching methodology using research, past case studies, and feedback. See more on how to get yourself a health coach certification. 2. What are the benefits of a health coach program? If you're wondering if it is beneficial for you to take an online or in-person health coach course to earn your health coach certification, the answer is yes! There are numerous benefits of taking a course. You will be able to receive your credentials, which increases your prowess in the industry. This makes it easier for you to get a job and broadcast your services. 3. Is it popular to become a health coach? If you want to become a health coach, you are in luck - this type of job is currently growing due to the rise in the fitness industry! You do not have to worry about the likelihood of getting a job. There is a huge industry boom in the fitness world, so you will be able to have a long-lasting and impactful career. 4. Are there different types of health coach certifications? There are various types of health coach certifications that you can earn for yourself and your professional career. You can choose between a health and wellness coach cert or a holistic health coach certification. The holistic health coach uses only natural and homeopathic methods to try and reach the optimal level of wellness, connecting mind, body, and spirit. However, a health and wellness coach uses traditional methods to help utilize exercise and a diet to maintain the best level of health. 5. What does the health coach certification cover? The health coach certification course typically covers personal health, mental health, physical activity for health, preventing disease, understanding drug abuse, alternative medicines, health enhancement possibilities, mind and body communication, and much more! Conclusion If you are considering becoming a health coach, earn your health coach certification so you can learn about the best motivational tactics, how to coach your clients, and how to use psychology to help your clients adhere to the program during tough times. A health coach is the best way that you can form a career in the fitness industry that is long-lasting and very rewarding! Read Also: Is Packaged Foods A Good Career Path In 2021? – A Detailed Guide Is Basic Industries A Good Career Path In 2021

READ MOREDetails