If you have a well-crafted resume that can really open the doors to getting a job at your dream company. However, determining how you can make your resume truly represent your experience and stand out at the same time is not such an easy task. After all, recruiters and hiring managers usually only spend around 7 seconds on looking at a resume before they decide whether or not to move forward with it. A CV by exceptional resume writers will set yours apart from the masses.
Most people are familiar with the basics of how to put a decent work history together, but the following are some tips that you might not have heard of before that really can help your resume pass the 7-second test. If you need help creating your resume, you can find thousands of resume examples and templates provided by beamjobs. Their basic and simple resume templates have proven to help many job seekers get hired.
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Your address should only be included if it is advantageous to you
If you are applying for a job in a town or city that you live in already, then include your address. In that situation, it will tell the hiring manager that you are in the area already and could theoretically start working right away.
However, if you are targeting positions in a different area, and you will have to move to start working at a new job, then you should just not include your current address on your resume. So why is that? Sometimes recruiters are not as excited interviewing candidates coming from a different state or city since it will require relocation expenses.
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Name drop
Dropping names in daily life might be considered to be poor form, but on your resume, you definitely should do it. If you have worked with any well-known companies or clients, include them by name in your resume. Say something like: Closed deals with Bank of America, Toyota, and Google. That will grab the attention of the recruiter very quickly.
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Make use of your performance reviews
You may not think to check your annual reviews for material for your resume, but positive feedback that you have received in past years can help you really identify your best work attributes and most significant accomplishments. Those are two things that you definitely want to highlight on your resume. When you can include some goals you have met and specific feedback that you have received it can help you avoid needing to use a lot of fluff to fill your work experience out.
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Don’t use keywords too much
Keyword scanning software is used by many recruiters and company as a tool for narrowing down their job application pool. That is why it is important to include keywords in your resume’s job description. However, don’t overdo it. Keyword stuff can be spotted a mile away by recruiters.
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When it comes to email etiquette use common sense
There are two kinds of email addresses that shouldn’t be used when applying for a job or sending your resume via email: an inappropriate or overly personal address or your work email address. Stick with something that is professional and based on your name to make the best impression possible.
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Emphasize quality over quantity when describing your skills
It isn’t necessary to list skills that a majority of individuals in the job market have (For example, PC and Mac proficient, email, Microsoft Office). That can make it appear as if you are just trying to fill up the page. YOur skills section should be kept short, and include impact skills only that are relevant to the specific job that you are applying for.
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Strategically share social accounts
It is becoming increasingly more common for social media account links to be included on resumes. However, it is very important to distinguish between professional accounts such as an Instagram account that you manage for work or a LinkedIn profile and non-professional non-work ones such as your personal Facebook or Twitter account. Although you may be tempted to include your personal account to show recruiters who you really are, it is best to only include professionally focused accounts. Wait for your in-person interview to show off your winning personality.
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Use hobbies to your full advantage
Not every hobby should be listed on your resume. However, some should. Hobbies which light certain skills or positive personality qualities that can benefit you while on the job are worthwhile to include. For example, if you run marathons that can show determination and discipline. Blogging about something that relates to your field can show genuine interest in the work that you do and also demonstrate creativity. These types of hobbies will put in the best light possible and can pique the interest of a recruiter.
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Avoid using generic descriptors
Detail-oriented, proactive, self-sufficient, self-motivated, and hardworking are all words that most people’s resumes contain. Most job seekers are hardworking and motivated, so those characteristics don’t really help set you apart from the other applicants. Focus instead on specific accomplishments and skills that make you different from everybody else who is applying for the job.
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Keep an achievement journal
Keep a log of positive feedback as you receive and your work accomplishments. That can help make it a lot easier to put together your resume or update it. Include as many details as you can so you don’t have to spend time later tracking them down.