Do you need some tips for writing a standout resume? When it comes to applying for a new job, the thing that is going to give you the best chance of getting your foot in the door of a company is your resume. Think about it, it is the first thing that your potential employers see and represents who you are as a person and as a professional, so you need to make as good of an impression as you can and make the resume itself as standout as it can be. You will most likely be competing with hundreds of other applicants for each position, so it is essential that you stand out from the crowd in every single way that you can. Here are some tips for writing a standout resume that will set you apart from the rest.
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1. Nail the Basics
You need to make sure that you have perfected the basic formula for a traditional resume right off the bat. Make sure that all of the traditional details like name, contact information and skill summary are all within immediate eye reach. When an employer is sifting through hundreds of resumes, they don’t want to have to play hide and seek with the essentials! This is one of the most important tips for writing a standout resume that you should keep in mind.
2. Be Strategic
You only have a page or two in which to sell yourself to your potential employer, so it pays off to be strategic and customise your resume to for each individual job. What might be relevant experience for one position might not be for another, so do some cutting and pasting to make sure that your opening page is a relevant as it can be.
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3. Use Numbers
If you are including a paragraph about the success and impact that you have had in previous jobs, then tell them in numbers. ‘I increased sales by 70%’ sounds much more appealing and specific than ‘I helped to increase sales’. Don’t be scared to really highlight your specific achievements.
4. Proofread
Enlist the help of a friend or family member and get them to proofread the resume before you send it out. When you have worked so intensely on something, you sometimes miss mistakes, both big and small, so it needs to be seen by a fresh pair of eyes before it gets distributed!
5. Leave out References
Rather than including your references as standard, instead write “references available upon request”. This way, if they get in touch with you about them, you will know that you have passed preliminary stages, and you can hand pick specific references depending on how they come across to you.
6. Be Interesting
Try to inject some of your personality into the resume, because the worst thing you can do is send a piece of paper that doesn’t make an impact on anyone. Use your cover letter and personal statement to showcase a little of yourself, but always sound professional and try to pick things about yourself that relate to the position for which you are applying. Try to make them see you as a person rather than just a name.
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