Move Your Resume to the Top of the Pile!

Your resume is a powerful marketing device that can help you land an interview with a reputable company. In spite of this, your resume can get you an interview but you have to convince the hiring manager that you are the best candidate for the job. So in other words, if you interview well, your resume could actually help you get hired! With that said, your resume tells employers who you are and what you are capable of doing. Bottom line, a well-written one page (no more than 2) resume can open the door to countless opportunities. Move your resume to the top of the pile and win an interview by following these vital tips.

Target a specific job
Only target the job in the job ad. Nowadays, many job seekers have more than one resume they use when responding to job ads, depending upon the type of work they are currently seeking. However, no matter what resume design you choose, you should tailor your resume so that it matches the job you are applying for. You should highlight your core skills, any pertinent experience, and educational background as to impress your readers.

Insert keywords
Today, advanced technology enables recruiters to scan through hundreds of resumes within seconds to locate qualified applicants. A vast number of employment recruiters use the applicant tracking system (ATS) software to track and identify resumes that contain certain industry-related keywords that correspond with the job knowledge, skills, educational background, etc. that best match a job they need to fill. Thus, it’s imperative that you insert relevant key words in your resume. If you are not sure which keywords to use, simply review the job ad/description to locate recurring keywords.

List your hard skills
Your hard skills are mainly achieved through training and education. The company will list relevant hard skills and qualifications needed to adequately perform a job they are seeking to fill somewhere in the job ad. You will need to insert these skills in your resume if you want to get noticed by employers via the electronic scanning process. Some examples of hard skills are your career profession (accountant, teacher, scientist), related job skills, job titles, hardware, software, degrees, certifications, etc. Again, refer to the job ad to identify needed hard skills.

List your soft skills
You should list your interpersonal skills also referred to as soft skills. You soft skills are just as important as your hard skills in the scanning and selection process. Some examples of soft skills are organizational skills, communication skills, organizer, leader, coach, decision maker, conflict resolutions skills, facilitation skills, etc. Listing your soft skills will also help you get noticed by employers.

Include a cover letter
You should include a one-page cover letter with your resume. Your cover letter basically sets the tone for your resume. It enlightens the reader as to what they can expect to see on your resume. Simply put, your cover letter should persuade the readers to read your resume.

Do a spell check
Before you present your resume to employers, you should thoroughly check for misspelled words via your spell checker. You should check for grammatical errors as well. You might have another professional check your resume over for you before you submit it to employers.