7 Expert Tips on How to Write a Killer Resume

7 Expert Tips on How to Write a Killer Resume

So you’ve finally completed your degree and now you’re very excited to get your dream career. After all, you’ve done quite a lot of achievements during your academic years and have efficiently gained experience from your chosen field.

But wait…have you thought about how you’re going to put together all of your hard work in just one paper?

Admit it, job seekers have always needed to make an impression on hiring managers. Before applying to your dream job, here are expert tips on how to write a resume that says, “Hey, why to waste time on other resumes when you’re looking at the right one?”

Knowing one or two of these tips will be a total game changer. So here we go…

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Tip #1:  Choose a professional, yet eye-catching design for your resume using pre-designed templates.

What is your USP defines what kind of job you can get. The uniqueness of your personalities cannot be depicted by similar looking CV’s? You are genetically unique, so how can your resume look similar to others, If you want to get hired, take this point very very seriously.

If you think about Resume Templates, they are the best metaphor for making a standout resume. A visually appealing resume is absolutely eye-catching and unforgettable. This is why choosing a good template can increase your chances of getting shortlisted.

Of course, it’s important to match your template with a good font that looks good on both screen and paper. Use bold and italic prints sparingly. You can print them in color without being too weird like Elle’s resume.

Tip #2: Format your resume in a reverse-chronological order or with the most important detail on top.

Sadly, you’re not the only one vying for your dream position. There are thousands of other job applicants whose resumes are in the hands of hiring managers. So the first few parts of your resume are extremely crucial. They can either make or break your dream.

So place all necessary details on the top such as your name, contact, and e-mail. Before your mailing address, you can place your LinkedIn permalink and while you’re at it, make sure your LinkedIn is updated.

According to experts, the majority of professionals are now on LinkedIn. Having a LinkedIn account gives you an edge over other applicants who don’t have any.

Then, you can start talking about your job experience. List your most recent position first, working backward to previous positions while considering those that are most relevant to the position you’re applying. Your educational attainment can come at the bottom. Unless you’re applying in the academe where educational history can be given significance.

Tip #3: Beat the resume bots and algorithms through SEO-friendly content.

Huge companies do not have time to scan through hundreds of resumes every day. So they have bots to do it for them.

Unfortunately, bots only filter resume based on keywords while eliminating badly written resumes. So here’s what you’re going to do. Research for popular keywords that you can use in your resume. For example, if you’re applying for the position of a marketing professional, then you can use at least three related keywords to improve the visibility of your resume.

Then, make sure that your spelling and grammar are topnotch. You can have your resume reviewed through online grammar checkers or ask help from professionals. Remember, your resume is a one-way ticket to your dream job so don’t waste any chance to make it perfect.

Tip #4: Create a resume that is coherent to the job you’re applying.

Okay, so this is where most job seekers usually stumble. Just because you’re too good at something, doesn’t mean a company will hire you for it.

For example, if the company is looking for a Marketing Professional, you can’t talk about how good you are in research and coding. No one will be interested in skills that are not related to the position you’re applying.

The key is to focus on the skills that the company needs. Soft skills like leadership, communication, and good negotiation skills are certainly OK to add in moderation. But always remember to be more selective with what you add.

Tip #5:  Walk the talk rather than just narrating them in your resume.

Some things are better shown than written. Companies don’t like lengthy resumes, especially if you’re just bragging all your successes in there.

So save the rest of your skills when you’re finally hired. But for your resume, you can focus on results-oriented experiences. For example, instead of narrating a long list of skills, think about how you can validate those skills.

You can add relevant statistics, budget plan samples, or client growth report. It’s easier to convince a company that you’re good when you can show proof of good results.

Tip #6: Be selective with the skillset, experience, and other information that you’re going to put in your resume.

As I said before, there are skills that you need to prioritize and let go. The criteria depend on the position you’re applying.

Clearly identify the set of skills that you can bring to a target job. These skills should serve as your core competencies and your edge over other candidates. Mention specific and technical skills if necessary. For example, if you’re applying for a lab technician you can mention that you’re good at clinical testing and specimen analysis. Then provide examples of past jobs where you’ve applied your skills.

Narrow down your list to just three or five skills. The more crowded your resume looks, the more likely the recruiter will get bored.

Be sharp in placing other details too. The school and date when you graduated elementary and high school are probably the last things that your prospective employer will think. So you can set these details at low priority. Lastly, you don’t have to place your social media pages unless they are crucial to your application.

Tip #7: Add an intriguing tagline to your resume.

The last but not the least is to place an interesting tagline about yourself. This will serve as an elevator pitch about why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Traditional resumes usually begin with a summary statement that reads, “Seeking to become a valuable member of the marketing team in your company.” Sadly, after so many years this sort of statements have become quite boring.

Today, you have to think like a marketer wherein you have to sell yourself. Unless you’re applying for a very traditional company, you can ditch the old-fashioned summary statements and do something like:

“I sold 60 percent of the products at my last company in just one month. I’d like to do that again for you or even more.”

When backed with rich details in your resume, this statement becomes a magnetic field. It ignites curiosity among hiring managers which will result in more attention to your resume.

Writing a resume is a drag. But it shouldn’t be that difficult. The final key is to ask yourself this question: “What makes you uniquely valuable to the company that you’re applying?”

This question, along with the tips here will guide you to write the killer resume that will make hiring managers notice you. So if you’re applying for a job today, bring out those advantages and make your resume rock!

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