You’re probably no stranger to crafting a resume.
But when did you last go through it with a fine-tooth comb to make sure it stands out from the crowd?
With the average number of applicants to roles on the rise, you can’t afford to get lost in the crowd.
6 Top Tips for Crafting a Killer Resume
- Put Yourself in the Employer’s Shoes
This is an invaluable tip. When crafting your resume, always think about what the employer is looking for.
Read the job description, think about what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate, and edit your experience to emphasize the commonalities.
2. Your Summary is Your Elevator Pitch
Write a compelling summary that highlights your career goals and what you bring to the table.
While it might be tempting to reduce word count and omit the personal summary, don’t do it! This prime piece of resume real estate should be used to give a snapshot of why you are perfect for the role.
Think of this as your mini elevator pitch and chose your words carefully!
3. Quantify Your Achievements
Avoid using abstract statements to describe your achievements. Make your accomplishments tangible by using numbers and percentages to demonstrate your impact.
Eg. ‘Led new initiatives that increased client engagement by 40% and revenue by 20% within 12 months’.
4. Use Impactful Language and ALWAYS Avoid Weak Verbs
Go through your resume checking the type of language used to ensure you have strong action words to make your accomplishments more impactful.
Include strong words such as Led, Founded, Accelerated, Detected, Upgraded, Exceeded, Championed etc as opposed to weak verbs such as ‘assisted’ or ‘oversaw’.
Here’s an example:
Held weekly status meetings to share client updates (Weak)
Vs
Initiated weekly status meetings to communicate revenue growth (Impactful)
5. Tailor Your Resume for the Specific Job
Customize your resume for each application by emphasizing relevant skills and experiences that match the job description.
Use keywords from the job description that fit with your experience and skillset. This will assist in passing through automated applicant tracking systems.
6. Be Ruthless with Your Editing
In other words, be as concise as possible.
Keep the length of your resume to 1-2 pages. Remove information that is not relevant to the position you’re applying for and regularly update your resume to reflect new experiences, skills, and achievements.
At the end of the day, your resume is your first opportunity to market yourself to potential employers. It’s worth investing the time to get the best results.
