Applying for jobs is a very tedious task. We have all been there and felt the pain. If you were to ask people what one of their least favorite things to do is I’m sure you would find many that would say applying for jobs. If you then asked those same people, why I’m confident that you would find many would say that they don’t know what to do with their resume.
Resumes are a necessary evil in the business world and one that although necessary to have, is not something that we are ever really taught how to create. Do not fret, I have compiled a list of ways that you can spruce up your resume.
Dress it for the job you want.
I’m sure we have all heard the phrase dress for the job you want when interviewing for positions. Well, the same goes for your resume. Make sure to only put jobs on there that are relevant to the job you are applying for and be sure to include the functions you performed that match the job description.
Use keywords from the job description. Or, if you are new to the field, find aspects of your previous jobs that relate to the position you are applying for and highlight those aspects. The rest is just clutter. You want to get straight to the point.
Don’t be afraid of color.
It’s an old notion that your resume needs to be a black and white word doc. Don’t be afraid to add a little color to your resume. If you aren’t sure what I mean, there are plenty of templates online or on word that can help guide you.
Don’t go overboard though. Try adding a color background behind your header. Maybe add a colored panel on the side where you highlight your skills. You want your resume to be professional but standout.
Use reverse chronological order
A newer trend in resumes is using reverse chronological order. Highlight your most recent position first and work your way back. Many people are finding success in doing that because often our most recent position is our most relevant so highlighting that position first helps draw in the attention of the person reviewing your resume.
Write a summary statement
Many of us have been taught to write a resume objective statement at the top of our resume that explains our career goal. Instead of doing that, try writing a summary statement that explains your unique qualifications for the job and why you believe you would be a great addition. Use it as a way to boast yourself and give them a sense of who you are before they get to everything else.
Writing your resume doesn’t have to be a daunting task. We all feel the pressure and know the pain of writing one but there are ways to make it a little less daunting. I hope this helped. Happy job hunting!
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