You are getting ready to apply for jobs, and your resume needs a little touchup. If you haven’t touched your resume in a while, you might not know where to start.
What new resume rules and trends are people following? Should you have one page or two? Is the font size too big?
Fear no more. We’ve done the research for you.
Follow these 8 resume tips to craft a perfect CV that will make employers give you a callback.
1. Tailor Your Resume for Each Position
Did you know that 63% of job recruiters want to receive custom-tailored resumes that are relevant to the applicable position? Yes, it’s true. There is no one-size-fits-all resume. Every job is different with its own set of requirements. So, your resume should follow suit.
Create a folder to house all your resume varieties. We recommend keeping a master CV of your original and then making copies to edit accordingly to the job you are applying for.
2. Understand ATS
ATS stands for applicant tracking software. When you upload your CV online, an AI robot scans your resume for keywords that match their search criteria. It also looks at the design of your resume and will even toss it if the design is messed up or if it cannot read your CV due to a funky layout.
This is the primary reason why it is recommended to stick with a simple layout and not use a template. However, there are some exceptions for aesthetic-related roles or handing your resume out in person.
3. Use a Pre-made Template
Bouncing off the resume tip above, if you must use a template, use one that has been pre-made by a graphic designer or template-building professional. For example, you can download resume templates in Microsoft Word that are ready to go.
When in doubt, choose a simple text template. These will always be read properly by ATS.
4. Use Keywords from Job Posting
Again, it is CRITICAL to use words in your text that are also found in the job posting. If you don’t take any of the advice from this article, please take this resume tip. Before you even start writing your perfect resume, make a running list of the keywords used most often in the posting.
Take words from the requirements/qualifications section in particular. Then, naturally fuse those words into your skills and experience sections.
5. List Important Information First
This resume tip is especially relevant if you have a long career history. List role-specific skills, job experience, and information at the top of your resume first. Prioritize specific accomplishments or numbers higher up on your CV to catch the reader’s attention faster.
For example, if you helped your previous team accomplish a 40% increase in sales revenue for Q2, that should be the first bullet point on the list.
6. Use Reverse Chronological
Nine times out of ten, your employer wants to see your recent experience first. They probably won’t be concerned about what you did 10 years ago compared to this past year.
Unless the job posting specifically asks for a functional or combo resume, stick to reverse chronological order. Listing your experience from most recent to oldest is a safe standard.
7. Write in Active Voice
Writing in active language makes your resume read in a powerful tone. Use words that command attention, such as accomplished, propelled, achieved, earned, initiated, etc. Use the active voice in your resume’s objective and in each bullet point under your experience.
And always begin each point with a verb. This is one case where sentence fragments are accepted.
8. Use One Page
Now, this resume tip is highly debated. There is some research that shows recruiters actually prefer two pages over one. The bottom line is that you want to convey your relevant experience & skills to demonstrate that you can help the company accomplish a goal, add value, or solve a problem.
One page is standard and always best for handing out CV copies in person. But if you MUST have two pages, reserve that for online submissions.
Writing your resume with the goal of hitting one page will help you keep the information concise anyway.
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