Make Sure Your Resume Does These 3 Things Before Applying for a Job

Make Sure Your Resume Does These 3 Things Before Applying for a Job Make Sure Your Resume Does These 3 Things Before Applying for a Job Your resume is one of the most important documents you will ever write in your life. It could land you a bigraise or decide where you work for the next ten years. You should invest plenty of time and effort into writing a resume, and you should proofread it thoroughly before taking it to market.We all know that we need to check for spelling mistakes and typos, but what about the bigger picture? Here are threequestions to ask - and answer - before sending your resume out to the world1. Is It Easy to Read?Recruiters and hiring managers are busy people with deadlines to meet and hundreds of resumes to sort. The last thing you want to do is make life difficult for them by sending a resume thats tough to read.Is your resume written in a tiny, elaborate font? Does it contain huge paragraphs that will cause readers headaches? If so, you need to rethink your structure and formatting.Your resume needs to be easy to navigate. Recruiters and hiring managers wont hunt for the information they need. If they cant find it right away, your resume will get placed in the reject pile.Ideally, your resumeshould be divided into clearsections with bold headings and sufficient spacing.Break text up using short paragraphs and bullet points to ensure your message can be easily digested. This will make it easy for people to skimyour resume and quickly locate important details.2. DoesIt Hold Peoples Attention Right From the abflug?The first few seconds of a recruiters or hiring mangers time with your resume are crucial. They have plenty of resumes on hand already. If one doesnt capture their attention immediately, theyll simply move on to the next.To stop this from happening, you must begin your resume with an engagingprofile. Your profile should be brief,containing a high-level overview of your skills, experience, and knowledge.Think ofyourprofile a s your elevator pitch. Your goal is tosell yourself by explaining the unique benefits you can deliver to an employer. Avoid resume clichs like hard-working team player who thinks outside the box. Instead,stick to the factsand highlight your specific, relevant skills. Always tailor your profile so that it speaks directly to the particular role for which you are applying.3. DoesIt Prove Your Value?Many job seekers use their resumes to explain what they do, but they fail to showcase the results of their actions at work. You may have worked extremely hard producing reports, analyzing data, and delivering presentations, but if none of it madeany impact on your employer, what was the point?Its important to detail your input, but it is your output that completes the story and shows employers you can make a difference.Instead ofMade outbound sales calls to potential clients.TryMade outbound sales calls to generate leads for the senior team, resulting in 10 appointments per week and $15,000 in sales closed in 3 months.By adding quantified results, you show readers the true value you bring to potential employers, which will make you a much more attractivecandidate.- Your resumeshould be easy to read, it should hold recruiters and hiring managers attention, and it should prove how your work benefits employers. If your resume meets behauptung three criteria, youll be more likely to land interviews - and, eventually, the job of your dreams.Andrew Fennell is the founder ofthe resume-writing advice website StandOut CV.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.