If you're looking to improve your resume and take it from good to great, you've come to the right place! As a career coach, I've seen my fair share of resumes and have developed a keen eye for what separates the good from the great.
A well-written resume can be the difference between getting interviewed for your dream job and getting ghosted by recruiters. It's your chance to make a stand-out first impression and show off your skills and experience. To help you out, I've put together 6 tips that can really give your resume a much-needed "glow-up" and help you land those interviews.
So, let's get started!
6 Resume Writing Tips to Help You Stand Out
Standardize the Format
One of the first things recruiters will notice when they open your resume is the overall format and appearance. So, take the time to ensure that your resume is well-formatted and easy to read.
Some key things to keep in mind are to use the same font throughout, use clear headings and subheadings, and make sure there is plenty of white space. You want your resume to be visually appealing, straightforward, and easy to scan.
Use the Appropriate Verbs
When writing about your experience, it's important to use active verbs. For example, if you're currently in a role, you would use present tense verbs such as "manage," "oversee," or "coordinate."
If you're writing about a role you held in the past, then you would use past tense verbs such as "managed," "oversaw," or "coordinated." Using the appropriate verb tense will help ensure your experience is accurately conveyed.
Choose Your Verbs Carefully
In addition to using the appropriate verb tense, it's also important to choose your verbs carefully. You want to use powerful language that paints you in the best light possible.
Some great verbs to use on your resume are "achieved," "improved," or "increased." These words immediately show recruiters the positive impact you had in your previous roles. Other great resume verbs include "developed," "created," and "initiated."
Note: Change up the verbs you use! The last thing you want is to have 2 lines with the same verb right next to one another when compiling your resume. This is where a simple online thesaurus can be really handy!
Organize Your Bullet Points
When listing your previous roles and responsibilities, you want to start with your most impactful accomplishments and work your way down.
Recruiters are most interested in what you've accomplished in previous roles and how that can be applied to the role they are hiring for. Therefore, it's important to put your most impressive accomplishments at the top of each position.
Spell Check & Convert to PDF
Once you've finished writing your resume, it's crucial to spell-check the entire document. You can do this through Google docs, Word, or an online tool like Grammarly. After you've done that, I recommend converting your resume to a PDF before sending it off to potential employers. This will ensure that your formatting stays intact and that recruiters can easily open and view your resume.
Print a Hard Copy
If you have the opportunity, send your resume to print! Seeing how your resume will appear in a print copy is always a great idea. It allows you to catch any typos or errors you may have missed when spell-checking on the computer, and it's a great way to determine whether you're happy with your formatting.
And there you have it! These 6 tips can really help improve your resume and increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers. Looking for more tips? Download our FREE "Not Your Average Resume Tips" Workbook. If you're stuck in your job search, book a career coaching consultation with me today.
Want to be notified when a new blog is published? Sign up here!
Comments