As a job seeker, you know that having a standout resume can make all the difference in catching the eye of a hiring manager. With so many applicants vying for the same position, it’s essential to make sure your resume stands out from the competition.
In this article, we’ll provide our favourite tips and tricks that will get your resume to stand out from the rest.
Formatting your resume
The first step in creating a standout resume is to ensure that it is well-formatted and easy to read. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Choose the right font and size: Use a clear, easy-to-read font such as Arial or Times New Roman, and keep the font size between 10 and 12 points.
- Organize sections effectively: Use headings and subheadings to break up your resume into sections such as work experience, education, and skills.
- Use bullet points and white space: Use bullet points to highlight your accomplishments and make your resume easier to scan. Leave plenty of white space to make it visually appealing.
Keywords and phrases
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they even reach a hiring manager. To ensure that your resume stands out, it’s essential to use relevant keywords and phrases throughout your resume. Here are some tips:
- Identify relevant keywords for your industry: Look at job descriptions for positions you’re interested in and identify the keywords and phrases that are commonly used.
- Incorporate keywords throughout your resume: Use these keywords and phrases throughout your resume, including in your summary, work experience, and skills sections.
- Avoid overuse of buzzwords: While it’s important to use relevant keywords, avoid overusing buzzwords that may come across as generic or insincere.
Highlight your accomplishments
When crafting your resume, it’s important to focus on your accomplishments, not just your responsibilities. Here are some tips for highlighting your achievements:
- Use specific, quantifiable examples: Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, use specific examples to showcase your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “Managed a team,” say “Managed a team of 10 employees and increased sales by 20%.”
- Tailor accomplishments to the job description: Look at the job description and tailor your accomplishments to the specific requirements of the position. For example, if the job requires experience in accelerating team performance, highlight a time when you successfully led a team to exceed performance goals.
Customise your resume
To make your resume stand out, it’s important to customise it for each job application. Here are some tips:
- Tailor your resume to each job application: Use the job description to identify the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position, and highlight them in your resume.
- Research the company and job requirements: Look at the company’s website and social media profiles to get a sense of their culture and values. Use this information to tailor your resume to the specific company and position.
- Highlight relevant skills and experiences: Make sure to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position, even if they are not your most recent or impressive accomplishments.
Add something extra
Adding something out of the box to your resume can help make it stand out from the crowd. Consider using an interesting template, adding photos, or including something else that will draw the attention of potential employers. This could be a creative design, a unique layout, or even a short video that showcases your skills and abilities.
Whatever you choose, make sure it is appropriate for the job and adds something extra to your resume that will make you stand out from the competition.
Proofread and edit
Before submitting your resume, it’s essential to proofread and edit it carefully. Here are some tips:
- Check for spelling and grammar errors: Use spell check and grammar check tools to catch any errors, and read your resume carefully to ensure that it makes sense.
- Ensure consistency in formatting and language: Make sure that your formatting is consistent throughout your resume, and that you use the same language and terminology throughout.
- Ask for feedback from others: Have someone else read your resume and provide feedback on its clarity, organisation, and overall effectiveness.
Need some help to create your resume?
If you’re living with an injury, illness or disability and need some support creating your resume, DES providers like APM can help. Along with support to help find jobs for people living with disabilities in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and other Australian cities, APM provides tailored advice and support to help you find and maintain employment.
Their experienced team can help you to identify your skills and abilities, develop a resume and cover letter, and provide guidance on job searching and interview techniques. They also provide ongoing support to ensure you have the best chance of thriving in your workplace.
Crafting a winning resume takes time and effort, but it’s well worth it when you land your dream job. By following these tips and tricks, you can create a standout resume that showcases your skills and accomplishments.