With the job market changing post-COVID it is important to make your resume stand out among other candidates.
Did you know that hiring managers and recruiters will spend on average 11 seconds looking at your resume? This is why it is important to capture the attention of the reader in the top portion of your resume. Crafting a resume for each job you apply for, and not just sending out the same resume to every job is crucial.
Here are some resume tips to help you stand out in your job search:
- Compare your skills to what is being asked in the job posting – Look at the job posting and determine the skills you have that the employer is looking for. These can be soft skills or technical skills. Think about what is in your resume and a way to highlight those skills in the top portion of your resume and in the roles that you have worked before. Also, rather than repeating the same content that is in your resume on the cover letter, use the cover letter to explain other skills you have that will be beneficial for the role and explain how you used those skills. It is key to not just list skills but give examples of how you have used your skills and brought about results.
- Formatting – Resumes should be able to get through an applicant tracking system. Avoid using resume templates that are full of colours, have a picture spot (you don’t need to add your picture to your resume), and don’t use fonts such as italics. Applicant tracking systems work best with resumes that are in plain font (bold and regular font) with the most relevant keywords from the job description. This will make your resume searchable, and it will be more likely for your document to get in front of the hiring manager. Another thing to consider is to have more white space on the resume, avoid being too descriptive, and only highlight the main points on the resume that relate to the job. Another thing to avoid is adding “References available upon request” as the employer will ask for references if needed.
- Cover letters – Not only is the cover letter a chance to tell your story of how your skills would be of benefit to the employer, but a cover letter also shows extra effort. For example, talk about a time you completed a task or project and how it brought about benefits to your role or the company. Use the cover letter to be creative, show off your writing skills, and show how much of a fit you are for the role you are applying for.
Resumes and cover letters are your key to securing an interview. Take your time and prepare an individual document for each job you apply for to boost your job search.
Jennifer Bouley is a Career Development Practitioner located in St Stephen. She has a passion for helping others find wellness in their careers, while finding fulfilling jobs. She is the owner of Bliss + You Coaching. Jennifer can be reached at blissplusyou@gmail.com.
