9 simple resume writing tips

1) Learn copywriting

Copywriters are paid to persuade. Their words will drive consumers to purchase goods and services. Learn the art of selling yourself through text. Learn about the words which influence others. Land some interviews by writing awesome copy.

2) Leave room for references

You have stunning recommendations from your previous employers. Your future employer will be more apt to check on these references if you make the information immediately available. You have nothing to hide on your resume. A chance for a great referral shouldn’t be lost.

3) Be different

Do not be lazy with the formatting of your resume. There are numerous ways to structure information, but many fall back on the cut and dried resume templates offered by popular word processing programs. Use unusual and readable fonts. Change the structure and offer something out of the ordinary to catch the recruiter’s eye.

4) Use keywords

Your resume will be skimmed to see if you fit the position. By defining your experience in terms of the key words on the job posting, you stand out more than the person who did not use the key words from the job posting.

5) Action words

Think of your resume from the recruiter’s standpoint. It is one of many that must be filtered through to find that perfect applicant. You have read ‘responsible for X’ and ‘responsible for Y’ so many times that you have stopped paying attention to anything past the word ‘for.’ As an applicant, use action words which further describe your duties.

6) Keep it simple

HR professionals are skimming through many resumes. They are more likely to set aside resumes which quickly highlight pertinent experience. If you bury your professional qualifications under a mountain of words, there is a great chance that it will be overlooked in favor of the simple and direct resume. Use bullet points and very short paragraphs.

7) Be specific

Recruiters want to know about your numbers. They want to know the specific details about your previous job duties, rather than general information. There is a distinct difference between the person who handled 20 customers per day and the one who satisfied 200 customers per day.

8) Keep it skills-based

There are skills which are useful in every profession. Can you sell yourself and the company’s products? Are you a team player who is quick to see the big picture? Are you a fast learner who can operate any piece of equipment? You might be looking for a position which is not in your original field. A skills-based resume is excellent for those who want to experience a different profession.

9) Editing is essential

Technical errors within a resume are sloppy. The recruiter expects you to pay attention to detail. Read your resume repeatedly, checking for grammatical and typographical errors. When you are finished with your proofing, have a friend proof it.

Show your future employer that you care about their company. Stand out by using simple action words in your resume. Pay special attention to the key words that were used in the job posting. People with better resumes get more interviews.