Recruiters and hiring managers can receive hundreds of résumés for a single job opening. They take 10 to 15 seconds on average to scan each resume. With this kind of competition, how do you make your résumé stand out?
To get noticed, your resume must:
- Quickly create interest for the reader
- Entice the reader/potential employer into wanting to know more about you
- Speak to the needs of the employer
How do you do this? Here are five tips to get you started!
- Make it relevant. Include only the experience, training and skills that are related to the job you are applying for. Employers want to know what you can do for them.
- Be honest. Don’t exaggerate your qualifications. You need to be able to back up any statements you make.
- Keep it professional. Don’t include personal information or hobbies. Use a professional font that is easy to read. If you don’t have a business-like email address, create a new one. Keep it simple and use your name, if possible. Example: J.Smith@gmail.com not DogLuvr100@gmail.com
- Make it easy on the eyes. Keep some white space and use a font size above 10 point so it is easy to read. Keep it uniform, using the same bullet points and structure throughout.
- Proofread. Check spelling, punctuation and grammar. Then have someone else check it for you. Don’t let a typo ruin your chances of getting an interview!
Learn more about writing a résumé at one of our free workshops. Check the workshop schedule to see when the next résumé workshop is scheduled near you.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
