How to Make a Resume that Stands Out

How to Make a Resume that Stands Out

Have you ever been denied a job interview while meeting all the qualifications for that specific position?

Is it because your resume was just not attractive? Too long? Hard to read? Too busy?

Rejection doesn’t feel good and can be quite terrible, to the point that it might harm our self-esteem, particularly if we lose the chance of getting a stable job. It may be extremely stressful because sometimes it will push us to doubt our abilities and skills.

It’s possible that the issue isn’t with your skills and abilities, but with how you write and format your resume when applying for jobs.

Worry no more, because this article will show you how you can improve your resume and make it stand out from the rest.

What exactly is a resume?

A resume or CV (curriculum vitae) is a document that highlights your education, experience, skills, and accomplishments. A well-crafted resume is an excellent method to distinguish yourself from other applicants looking for the same position. When writing a resume, it’s also important to know your sector and the hiring business you are applying to so you can adapt your resume to both.

What is the sole purpose of a resume?

It is important to understand that the resume is the starting point towards your future job in many ways, as it is typically the very first time a company learns about you. It’s critical to make a strong first impression by submitting a clear, concise resume that outlines your qualifications for the job vacancy.  The main aim of your resume is to market yourself in order to get an interview.

What can you do to make your resume stand out?

There are actually a number of strategies to make your resume stand out from the rest. What a hiring manager looks for will vary depending on your industry and the specific job you are applying for.

Here are some things to consider in crafting your own resume:

1.     Include headings as well as a summary.

Every day, hiring managers go through a large number of resumes. Including a header, summary, or objective can assist them to look for resumes that stand out from the crowd.

Make sure that your name and contact information are at the very top of your resume.  It is also helpful if you increase the text size of your name. Be sure your contact information includes the best way for the hiring manager to get in touch with you.

Make a summary directly beneath your headline. A summary is a three-sentence paragraph about the top skills you want to highlight to prospective employers. 

2.    Make it specific to your field and the position you are seeking for.

Make sure to prioritize experiences that demonstrate relevant qualifications. If you’re searching for a position as a teacher, your abilities as a private tutor are more valuable to the hiring manager than your skills as a singer. If you have previous work experience in a field unrelated to the type of role you are looking to get, do not go into great detail about the duties of that job.  You could simply identify the role and timeframe but keep it short to allow for more room on your resume to highlight relevant experience.

3.    Make it attractive to the eye.

A well-designed resume will gain more attention with hiring managers. When creating a modern resume, keep the following points in mind:

Template

Make sure your designs are simple, professional and attractive to the eye. When you are using a template, ensure the visual components don’t take away from your resume’s content.

Colour Scheme        

When preparing your resume, use a pleasing color scheme. White is a wonderful backdrop color, black is ideal for text, and your tertiary color can be used to draw attention to key points on your resume.  Too bold of a colour scheme can detract from the contents of your resume.

            Font Style and Font Size

Be certain that the font you’re using is easy to read. Times New Roman, Calibri, Helvetica, and Georgia are examples of professional fonts.

In addition, choosing a font size that is appropriate for the substance of your resume helps ensure that a hiring manager can read it. The font size of 12 should be sufficient.

4.    Make your resume direct and concise.

Ensure your resume is no more than two pages long.  For those who are just starting out in their careers, a one page resume is totally acceptable. When you’re writing your resume, keep in mind you include facts that will make you stand out from the rest. Redundancy and fluff should be avoided.

5.    Do not forget to proofread.

Before sending your resume, keep in mind to proofread it. A professional, error-free, and easy-to-read resume reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. If you read your resume backwards it forces you to check every word for correct spelling.  Don’t rely solely on spell check as a word could be spelled correctly but the wrong context of the word may be being used.

Final Words

These are some of the resume-writing ideas you can use right now to make your resume stand out from the rest. In no time at all you should be getting calls asking “Are you available to attend an interview?”!

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