How To Make Your Resume Stand Out In 2023
1. Emphasize Your Core Qualifications and Key Accomplishments
Your resume should highlight your qualifications and relevant accomplishments. With the exception of roles released within the past year, it's usually unnecessary to include more than the last 10 years of work experience on your resume. Make sure to include any roles that specifically demonstrate or point to your core qualifications and most impressive accomplishments. Be sure to use a language that reflects technical proficiency, including specific tools, challenges, and results you achieved in each role.
2. Utilize Text Formatting for Added Impact
Fonts, bold typeface, italics, and highlighting can be effective ways to draw the reader’s eye to the most important aspects of your resume. Use text formatting to emphasize key words and phrases, highlight core qualifications, awards, and promotion dates, and make the text more visually appealing. Keep the formatting consistent to ensure the most important aspects of your resume are instantly noticed.
3. Don't Forget to Curate Your Online Presence
Many employers will now search for job applicants online, using search engines, social media, and other websites. As such, it’s important to make sure that your online presence accurately reflects your personal brand and highlights your professional accomplishments. Create a LinkedIn profile and website if you don’t already have one, and update them regularly. Ensure that you keep your professional content factually correct and in good taste.
4. Keep Your Resume Length Under Two Pages
Resumes are typically limited to two pages, so it’s important to tailor your experience and qualifications for the intended job opening. Most employers will not read beyond the first page, so ensure that the most important information, such as your qualifications, are on the first page. Stick to size 12 or larger fonts for readability and use 1-inch margins on all sides.
5. Utilize a Stardard Resume Template
Using a standard template is one of the simplest ways to make your resume stand out in 2023. A template will cover the basics of design elements, such as font style and size, section usage, etc. It will also provide you with a framework to add your experience and qualifications in an organized and consistent manner. This ensures that your resume looks consistent and professional.
6. Customize Your Resume for Each Job
Most employers are looking for candidates who have the exact skills and qualifications they need. When applying for a job, customize your resume to reflect how your skills and qualifications match the position's requirements. Don't forget to tailor the language in your resume to reflect the position you’re applying for.
7. Submit Your Resume in the Right File Format
Most employers prefer to receive resumes in PDF format due to its compatibility with most applications. However, some companies will instead specify a particular file format. If you’re unsure, submit your resume in both, as some employers may accept multiple formats. Make sure to follow their instructions and only submit the requested documents.
8. Include Relevant Keywords
Using relevant keywords in your resume will make it easier for a recruiter or hiring manager to identify your experience and qualifications as pertains to their job opening. Carefully review the job description and highlight the key skills required in order to tailor your resume with the correct keywords. It's important not to overdo it, though, as too many keywords stuffed into your resume could be detrimental.
Conclusion
Making your resume stand out in 2023 does not have to be a difficult task. Following these tips will help ensure that your resume stands out and captures the attention of potential employers. Make sure to emphasize your core qualifications, utilize text formatting, curate your online presence, keep your resume length under two pages, use a standard resume template, customize your resume for each job, submit your resume in the right file format, and include relevant keywords.