7 Resume Writing Tips to Help You Land a Job

Your resume is an integral part of your job application. Here are seven tips that you should consider when writing your resume to help you get that job.

A resume is one of the most important documents you will submit as part of your job application. However, many job applicants often find the overall process of drafting this document challenging.

According to a survey, the three top reasons for rejecting a resume include grammar errors, using cliches, and improper formatting. Not only that, but one in every five hiring managers will reject a candidate before they even finish reading their resume.

So, by simply following an excellent format/ template, you are increasing your chances of getting that job. There are a ton of tips that you could borrow when working on your document.

Here are seven resume writing tips that you should consider following to increase your chances of getting that job.

Analyze the Keywords in the Post

There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to your resume. You should tailor this document to match the description of the job that you are applying for. The best place to start in this regard would be to read the job postings carefully.

It would be great if you read through the job post, identifying the keywords in the description. If you have the skills listed in the postings, be sure to update your resume to include such skills.

Use an Eye-Catching Format

You don’t need to re-invent the wheel when working on your resume. As you are drafting this document, you should consider reviewing CV examples in the industry you are applying to.

A document that follows a standard format is easy to read and automatically captures the attention of recruiters. Remember that those reading your resume will take a few seconds or minutes to go through your document.

So, making it easy to read with everything well outlined will significantly increase your chances of submitting a winning application. Be sure to include subheadings and sections for important information.

Be as Specific and Direct as Possible

As mentioned above, there is little room for jargon when writing your resume because recruiting managers have a fairly short attention span. It would be best for your job application prospects of your CV to be short and straight to the point. To help you achieve this, consider highlighting the most important information at the top.

Highlight Your Key Skills in a Different Section

Recruiters are interested in knowing more about your skills than any other thing listed in your resume. As a matter of fact, failing to highlight your professional skills effectively can hurt your chances of securing that job.

Besides, what better way to stand out from the crowd than by highlighting your important job skills related to the position. Consider adding a different section to highlight the skills relevant to the position.

It would be best to include certifications to validate your skills. If you don’t have the certificates to prove your skills, consider enrolling for a certification course. Doing this will automatically place you ahead of 73% of other employment seekers.

Resume Length

For years now, the ideal resume length has been a hotly debated topic among people in the job industry. However, the cv length is dependent on an individual’s experience in a given industry.

According to a survey, recruiters are more likely to pick a two-page resume for candidates in a managerial role. The same survey showed that hiring managers were more likely to pick a candidate with a one-page document for an entry-level position.

So, this means that if you are fresh from college, it would be in vain if you have more than one page in your resume. Besides, it only takes recruiters a few minutes (in some cases a few seconds) to peruse through your document.

If you are a seasoned employee, your document should be more than two pages to increase your chances of landing that job. According to a survey, 77% of all hiring managers say that seasoned workers should not use a single-page resume.

Proofread Your Document

Typos and grammar errors will give your document a bad look. Recruiters will be led to believe that you are not professional and lack the skills pertaining to attention to detail or finesse.

Besides, who would want to hire a sloppy employee? It would be in your best interest to through your document several times to ensure that you catch all the errors. Using grammar checkers is a good start, but do not rely on them to catch everything.

If for some reason you are unable to, consider having a close friend or relative go through your document. Alternatively, you could employ the services of a professional resume builder.

Consider a Professional Resume Writing Services

Needless to say, working on your resume is a tedious and lengthy process. And if you haven’t had much success in your previous job applications, it might be time that you considered using professional resume writing services.

Whether you find it challenging to draft your resume or you simply don’t have the time to, it would be in your best interest to consider a reputable online resume service to help you.

Fortunately, there are a ton of websites today claiming to provide cv writing services. However, only a handful of online resume services provide excellent services to get you to that next phase of your job application process.

Verdict

Resumes are important documents that could either make or break your job application. There are a lot of factors to consider when writing a resume. Consider incorporating the seven mentioned above when drafting your resume.

If writing one isn’t an option for you, consider using an online resume service. Not only are they time-sensitive, but they increase your chances of submitting a winning job application.

With that said, don’t feel discouraged when you haven’t heard back from the recruiting managers. If you improve your resume and consistently keep applying for jobs, it’s only a matter of time before you land your dream job.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes