Let’s face it, resumes are a tedious but necessary task. They constantly need to be updated so even the most experienced and seasoned professionals will have to manage this task. Whether you’re updating your resume or editing someone else’s, here are three tips to beef it up and make you stand out.
- Quantify everything
It’s easy to list and describe your accomplishments using colorful, action-packed vocabulary, but unless there is a number to support how you actually made a difference, words are just words. Of course some achievements and roles can’t be quantified, but for those that can, enhancing your perfectly crafted bullet point with a number or percentage will only help support your tasks.
- Give potential employers something to remember
If you are in a highly competitive field, chances are there are going to be numerous qualified candidates that have resumes just as impressive as yours, if not better. Making sure you have all the necessary material is important, but if you fail to give them something to remember you by, it is possible that someone less qualified than you gets the job. One way to do this is by listing an interesting fact about yourself at the end of your resume. Perhaps it is just something you enjoy doing in your spare time, but whatever it is, make sure it captures who you are.
3. Cut the fluff
According to a study by the Business Insider, recruiters spend an average of six seconds on your resume. This means they’re going to quickly scan your experience and hopefully pick up something memorable as well. With that being said, there is no room for your high school clubs, college classes or any common skills that should be a given.
What do you think stands out on a resume?
Photo: Thinkstock
Written by: Shahla Khan, Brock Communications
