Modern resumes emphasize performance. The era of simply stating your job title with a short overview of duties has passed.
This approach is a guaranteed method to disinterest recruiters and promptly have your resume discarded.
Employers are already well-acquainted with the job responsibilities. What captivates them are distinct achievements and objectives you've accomplished in your past positions.
This approach assists them in picturing you as part of their organization and envisioning the influence you can exert on their success.
The pivotal aspect to keep in mind is substantiating your achievements with concrete data and precise figures.
Qualities centered around human beings
While a contemporary resume full of statistics and statistics is beneficial, it's important to remember that you're not just a machine.
Companies want to hire individuals who are compatible with their company culture and exhibit humane qualities. This is especially crucial for roles involving client interactions or leadership, where regular human interaction is integral.
Infusing your resume with a touch of your personal attributes can also set you apart from the countless qualified candidates applying for the same position.
Recruiters may be faced with piles of resumes displaying similar skills and job titles. However, how many of them will include a passion project directly related to the targeted position?
Here are some examples of sections you can integrate into your resume for a more personal touch:
Strengths: Highlighting your soft skills through strengths can be powerful. Terms like "communication" and "time management" can be interpreted differently, so take this opportunity to support your claims with examples.
Favorite Books: Your list of favorite books shows the passionate and creative side of your personality. It provides insight into your character and helps managers assess your cultural fit.
Life Philosophy: Your life philosophy influences your work approach and affects your performance in the company. Incorporating this demonstrates your values and the enthusiasm you bring to the role.
Time Allocation: This unique approach explains your work-life balance and how you allocate your time, which is especially useful for dynamic roles like actors or journalists.
Volunteering: Your work history is not the only source of experience. Volunteer work can effectively showcase your interests outside the industry and how you have developed soft skills such as communication and responsibility.
Enhancing the human-centric aspect of your resume can distinguish you, but it must remain relevant.
Avoid including unrelated hobbies and interests. Instead, spotlight a few pertinent experiences that can genuinely contribute to your candidacy.
Short and concise sections
The ideal length of a resume can vary based on factors such as industry, job title, and personal experience.
For a traditional 1-2 page resume, it's important to prioritize brevity and clarity. Recruiters often sift through large volumes of resumes, so it's important to showcase your standout attributes right away.
Given the limited space, it is essential to maximize its impact. This can pose a challenge, especially if you have amassed a significant list of accomplishments during your decade-long career in the industry.
Focus your attention on accomplishments that highlight your strengths and are directly related to the desired position. Every section of your contemporary resume, starting with the header and extending to the education segment, should maintain a concise and captivating approach.
Industry-relevant terminology and expressions
If you perceive this as a more demanding task compared to composing a generic one-size-fits-all resume, your assessment is accurate. That's precisely why the majority of candidates don't undertake this effort.
Presenting a targeted resume from the outset places you at an advantage over the competition.
Initiate the creation of your targeted resume by adhering to these guidelines:
- Thoroughly research your desired role. Carefully study the job description of your desired position, often if necessary. Study the company's research to understand their needs and identify ways your expertise can effectively address them.
- Choose the right layout. Choose a layout that emphasizes your relevant experience and skill set. Organize resume sections in a way that enables recruiters to quickly access critical information.
- Use a personal title. Use a relevant title that immediately displays your qualifications before recruiters move past your header. Instead of generic labels like "Manager" or "Developer", experiment with "Restaurant Manager" or "Java Full-Stack Developer".
- Shape your experience. When creating bullet points for your experience section, focus only on accomplishments relevant to your target role. Each section should carry weight, so focus on showcasing your premier strengths.
- Include appropriate ATS keywords. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) use keyword filtering to screen resumes. Integrate industry-specific terms from the job description to ensure your application doesn't get sidetracked during this process.
- Clean, simple layouts and fonts
- Clearly marked sections and titles
- Layouts designed for reading in an F-pattern and E-pattern
- A mission statement at the top
