Crafting a Resume That Makes an Impact
What is a Good Resume?
When it comes to crafting an effective resume, the accepted conventional wisdom is that it should be concise, honest and polished. However, most applicants fail to understand the full scope of what’s required to put together a resume that stands out and makes an impact. In today’s job market, applicants need to present themselves and their skills in a compelling and persuasive way. A good resume should serve as a snapshot of who you are and your qualifications for the job you’re applying for. It should be tailored to the position and should give hiring managers a clear sense of what makes you unique.
The Elements of an Impactful Resume
To make an impact on a hiring manager, your resume should include several key elements. Begin by researching the industry and the specific position you’re applying for thoroughly. This will allow you to tailor the content of your resume to the specific requirements of the position. You should then showcase your skills and achievements in a way that is direct and clear. Avoid the use of fancy fonts or creative graphics. In addition, you should use bullet points to make your skills and accomplishments easy to read for the hiring manager. Finally, while it can be tempting to include everything that’s ever happened to and for you, make sure to avoid unnecessary details and keep the resume succinct and easy to read.
Highlighting Your Unique Qualifications
Your resume should provide the reader with an understanding of what makes you the right person for the job. This can involve highlighting relevant certifications, qualifications, education, experience, skills and more. To emphasize your qualifications, it’s important to include strong verbs at the start of each sentence. Look for words that describe accomplishments such as managed, planned, executed, organized and so on. Additionally, you should showcase your qualities in a way that is tailored specifically to the position. This should involve researching the company culture to showcase skills and experiences that fit with the job.
An Attention Grabbing Summary
When crafting a resume, it’s important to include a powerful summary statement. This should be well-crafted and highlight both your experience and qualifications. It should be written in a way that is both convincing and concise, as 1-2 sentences in length. Summaries are often the first piece of text that a hiring manager will read. When done right, they provide a brief overview of who you are, what you have achieved and why you make a great candidate.
Extremely Important: Proofread!
No matter how great a resume is, errors can make invalidate it. To create a truly impactful resume, make sure to proofread it thoroughly. This includes re-read the content several times to check for spelling, grammar, typos or phrasing. Having other people read and review the resume can also be incredibly helpful. If you’re in contact with anyone who works in the industry for which you’re applying, ask them to review the resume or provide advice.
Create an Engaging Cover Letter
Cover letters can make or break an application. In addition to a resume, many employers require cover letters as part of their job application process. A successful cover letter should explain why you are the best candidate and why the company should consider you for the position. Try to provide specific examples from the past to show that you are the right person for the job.
Keep Your Resume Up to Date
It is important to remember that a resume is a living document and should be updated regularly. Make sure to add any relevant new achievements or skills as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you’re about to apply for a job to update it. Review and revise it regularly. This will make sure that it remains relevant and improved, and ready to make an impact on a hiring manager.