A resume is a document used to detail your experience, education, and abilities. A resume is used to promote yourself on paper to future employers. Your resume is the most important hurdle to landing an interview. The resume is more important than the job application because it is used to verify your application and the answers you may have submitted when applying. For many upper-level positions, an application isn’t required – they simply want the resume and will interview or hire based upon the resume, the interview, and verification of any degrees or certifications required.
It’s good to have different versions of your resume. Tailor your resume to a specific position or those in the same category when applying. Highlight your skills in the resume as it applies to the position. Utilize keywords they use in the description or are common for the position. Share specific wins or projects you’ve completed in your positions. Use active words such as produced, accelerated, and wrote. Quantify how much you’ve increased production, hits per articles, dollars or time saved, etc. Don’t use pictures. Design your resume to stick out by not using a bland format. Make sure to include contact information. If applying out of state, use a resume with a local address to the job. Some employers are not willing to pursue external candidates due to the additional costs or long wait time to onboard them. If you do apply for an out of state position, make sure to include a statement indicating that you will fly out or pay your own relocation expenses if they aren’t offered in the announcement.
A well designed resume can take some time initially, but will benefit in the long run when you have gained the coveted position. Ask someone you trust to review your resume for errors or inclusion of skills you may have forgotten. One way to tell if your resume is having a good impact is if you’re asked to interview or if you’re contacted to determine your interest in a position. Once you’re contacted for the interview, remember to promote yourself as to why you’re the best candidate. The contact for the interview is their way of showing interest in you. Don’t allow them to lose that interest.