7 Tips to Creating an Unforgettable Resume

The unemployment lines are longer today than ever. People everywhere are being let go from jobs they’ve held for 20+ years and, if you’re fresh out of college, you have so much competition that getting that very first job can seem like a miracle.

So, how do you stand out from the crowd? What can you do to get that edge above everyone else who is vying for the same promise of a weekly paycheck like a bunch of piranha fighting over a piece of meat just thrown in the water?

Since your very first contact with a potential employer is your resume, you need to have one that commands attention. It has to be the piece of paper that slides itself out of the pack, places itself on top of the pile and says, “I am the answer to your employee prayers!”

According to research, a potential employer scans a resume for 10-20 seconds. Therefore, you need to make that time count and leave them wanting to look at yours for a longer period, consumed by its magnetism. How do you make that happen?

Just follow these seven simple tips:

Tip #1: Research the company

Young attractive businesswoman using her laptop in bed

Before you can write a resume that will stand out from the rest, you need to have an idea what the employer is about. What moves them? What matters most when it comes to their business? For example, is it customer relations or the bottom line?

Knowing this type of information will put you ahead of a lot of others competing for the same job. Most won’t take the time to see whether they’d even be a good fit for the company. They just want a job. So, by knowing more about the company, you show that you’re truly interested and willing to go the extra mile.

Tip #2: Know the job posting like the back of your hand

It’s easy to read the first few sentences of a job posting and get so excited about it that you just skim over the rest. You want to be one of the first few people that apply so you quickly submit your resume only to realize that you missed the person’s name that you should have put it attention to, or you’ve failed to provide some of the additional information that they requested. Essentially, you’ve just lost the job.

That is why it is extremely important to know exactly what information they’re looking for and how they’d like it delivered. The best way to do this is to rewrite their listing. Actually sit down and write it word for word so that you take it all in. That way you’ll make sure you understand absolutely everything that they’re asking for with your submission and will reduce the risk that you’ll forget anything.

Tip #3: Ask yourself how you could help their company grow

Business woman standing in the lobby of the office

Even though you want a job to meet your own needs and goals, to a potential employer, it’s all about them. They want someone who will help them advance and make them stand out in their field. And, they will pick the person who they feel is best able to do that.

For this reason, you’re going to need to know the answer to the question of what you can do for them. And, don’t wait until you’re at the face to face interview to answer this. You need to write your resume with this idea in mind so that it shines through when your potential employer is reading it.

Tip #4: Keep it concise

Once you know everything you can about the company and what they’re looking for, it’s only natural that you want to tell them absolutely everything that makes you a great candidate for the position. You want to showcase that you’re extremely qualified for the job.

While that’s understandable, if you try to put every ounce of training and experience down on paper, you risk having so much information that it all gets lost in the wash, so to speak. You want to be able to say a lot with as few words as possible. Ideally you want to keep your resume to one page, two at the most. You can always add attachments or let them know that further information is available upon request.

Tip #5: Leave them wanting more

Ideally, you want the person reading the hundreds of resumes to learn just enough about you that they’re intrigued to the point where they just need to meet you. To do this, you need to leave some questions unanswered.

For example, if you led a team of six people on a project that net your company $250,000, then say that. Don’t reveal how you did it just yet. Remember that applying for a job is much like dating. You want to throw out just enough information to be interesting, but not so much that you’re overwhelming.

Tip #6: Choose your words carefully

Woman meeting banker to set up her own business

Not only is it important to highlight what you’ve done to work towards earning a job like the one they’re offering, but it’s equally as imperative to say it in just the right way. Wording can be the difference between a resume that attracts attention and one that gets sidelined because it’s just like the rest.

Use industry terms to show your expertise in your field. Also, choose words that show action on your part instead of passivity. You want to tell them what you’ve done, not what you’ve been made to do. Does that make sense?

And, remember that you are selling yourself. You have to get them to buy into you and what you have to offer. So, even though they are marketing to you for a job, essentially, you are marketing to them to actually land it.

Tip #7: Don’t be afraid to be different

There are tons of different resume templates available online to help you craft your resume. While it’s certainly good to follow a lot of their great ideas on how to create a professional resume, you’re going to want to do something special to yours if you want it to pop out above your competitors.

Some people put their photo at the top by all of their identifying information whereas others use a couple different colors in their fonts to highlight certain areas. Unfortunately there is no set of standards on what you should or shouldn’t do because each industry and each employer is different. What works for one may not work for another.

But, if you’ve followed the other tips and done your research on the company, you will have a better idea on how far you can push the envelope without going over the edge. The person reading it on the other end may be more than grateful to have a resume that breaks up the monotony.

Applying for a job shouldn’t be any more stressful than it needs to be. Follow these steps and you’ll make the process easier and more pleasurable than ever.

Good luck on your job search. I will be cheering for you!

About the author

Christina DeBusk

Changing careers mid-life from law enforcement to writing, Christina spends her days helping others enrich their businesses and personal lives one word at a time.

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