Tips to Remember When Preparing Your Resume

A great resume is a gateway to getting your dream job. Employers and hiring managers regularly look at resumes to learn more about applicants and determine if they’re a good fit or not. For this reason, you should present the best one possible. It should be attractive, easy to read, and clear about your skills, experiences, and achievements. 

Below are some tips to remember for creating a resume that is sure to impress your future employer.

Review your skills and experiences

Before anything else, slow down and take time to review your skills and experiences. This step is where many, especially recent graduates, grow concerned. It’s easy to worry about having sufficient experience for a position. However, this isn’t as big of an issue as you might think. 

Employers and hiring managers usually look less at “what” you’ve done. They focus more on “how” it relates to the open role. Even an internship that’s heavily associated with the position they’re hiring for can help your resume stand out. So be sure to prioritize your experiences and skills that are highly relevant and valuable to the job. This practice shows employers what a valuable addition you can be to the company.

Make sure you have the proper format.

The format is critical when it comes to your resume. Check out templates to help you know which design works for you and the specific position. Generally, a short, simple, bulleted format that is easy to read is highly recommended in modern resume styles. Don’t forget to look for any grammatical, punctuation, or typographical errors. Lastly, keep in mind that the format should be consistent throughout your whole resume.

Look for keywords in the job post.

The best way to get started is by carefully reading the job posting. If your resume is perfectly tailored to the job description, you’ll have a higher chance of getting past applicant tracking systems (ATS). This software scans resumes for the best match to the job description. Most recruiters use this nowadays, so be sure to include many of the keywords from the job post. Doing so will help you move on to the next step of the hiring process.

Make use of power words.

Hiring managers usually prefer resumes that show ambition and action. Using power words can help convince a recruiter to read more (and know more via interview). Here are a few examples:

  • Improved
  • Achieved
  • Managed
  • Created
  • Resolved
  • Overhauled
  • Generated
  • Streamlined
  • Implemented
  • Introduced
  • Organized
  • Initiated
  • Increased
  • Launched
  • Introduced
  • Identified

Pair power words with numbers.

The power words above, when paired with amounts, do exceptionally well. For instance, writing something like, “Managed a marketing campaign that increased revenue by 30%,” is highly effective. Metrics such as these help recruiters better understand the value you can bring to the position and the company.

Final Words

Use these tips to take your resume to the next level and ensure you make it to the next level in the hiring process. After all, your resume is your chance to make a stellar first impression. And land the job of your dreams!