Let's face it. With the fierce competition in the job market, hiring managers receive a ton of resumes from the multitude of job applicants that are trying to land their desired job.

 

However, only a few people will eventually get invited for an interview to get a shot at being hired.

 

To stand out from all the other applicants, and improve your chances of getting invited for an interview, your resume will have to do the talking for you—better yet, it needs to be able to captivate your potential employer and show them why you are a unique asset worth hiring. That makes your resume one of the most important tools in your job search arsenal.

 

There are a few key things to keep in mind when writing a resume that stands out! 

 

Here are seven tips to help you make your resume shine:

1. Use a modern resume template:

If you want to make sure your resume stands out, it's important to use a modern resume template. A modern resume template will help you avoid common mistakes, and will make your resume look professional.

 

There are many types of modern resume templates to choose from. You can find free templates online, or you can purchase a template from a resume builder website.

 

When choosing a modern resume template, be sure to choose one that is easy to edit and that matches the type of job you are applying for.

2. Create a resume header:

Your resume header should be simple, yet eye-catching. It should include your name, your email address, and your website (if you have one). You can also add your social media handles, or any other information that you think is important.

 

Be sure to use a professional font and a simple color scheme. Keep in mind that the header will be printed in black and white.

3. Make sure your resume is well-organized and easy to read:

Your resume is your first opportunity to make a good impression on potential employers. If it's messy and difficult to read, you'll likely be passed over for someone else.

 

Here are a few tips for making your resume look good:

 

●     Use a simple, easy-to-read font like Arial or Times New Roman.

 

●     Format your text so it's easy to scan. Use headings and subheadings, and bullets points to highlight your skills and experience.

 

●     Keep it simple and straightforward by using language that anyone could understand. Don't use industry jargon or acronyms unless they are relevant to the job you're applying for (and even then, be cautious).

 

●     Don't include too much information. The goal is to give the employer a quick overview of your skills and experience.

 

●     Write your resume in reverse chronological order. List your most recent job first, followed by the next most recent job, and so forth. The reason for doing this is that employers generally prefer to see what you've been doing most recently, rather than what you did 10 or 20 years ago.

 

●     Don't put your education at the top of your resume. It's not as important as your work experience and shouldn't take up valuable space at the top of your resume.

 

●     Make sure all of your contact information is consistent across all versions of your resume (this includes email addresses and phone numbers). You don't want to give out one number when someone calls and another when they email. Also be sure that any website link you include is working correctly.

 

●     Keep the length of your resume down to two pages at most since recruiters don't want to read more than that anyway!

4. Include keywords from the job description in each section:

If you're applying for a specific position, make sure you include keywords that are listed in the description of the role (known as keyword optimization) so that it's easier for recruiters and hiring managers to find you when they search for candidates using an applicant tracking system (ATS).

5. Use STAR method to describe your experience and achievements:

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. This is a great way to talk about your work history. You can use this framework to describe an accomplishment or achievement at a previous job, school or volunteer position.

 

STAR statements are a great way to describe your work experience and skills. They're short, concise and provide the reader with a snapshot of what you bring to the table.

 

When writing STAR statements, it's important to keep them succinct and focused on specific accomplishments that make you stand out from other candidates.

 

A STAR statement is made up of:

S - Situation or task being faced. Describe the situation or task that led you to take action and make an impact. What was the challenge? What was your role in solving it? What did you do to address this challenge?

 

T - Task completed. Explain how you completed the task or achieved your goal (e.g., "Identified new ways to use social media...").

 

A - Actions taken. Describe the steps you took to complete this task (e.g., "Created new social media accounts...").

 

R - Results produced. State the result of your actions; what happened as a result of your work? If possible, quantify your results (e.g., "Increased page views by 10%...").

 

Here’s an example of how the STAR method works:

 

Situation: You were hired as the sole marketing manager for a new restaurant chain opening up in town.

 

Task: You were tasked with developing a marketing strategy that would help attract customers and generate sales during their first year of operation.

 

Action: You researched local trends and competitors’ marketing campaigns before designing a plan that would be effective for both new customers and returning regulars.

 

Result: Your efforts generated approximately $3 million in revenue during their first year of operation, which exceeded expectations by 25%.

 

Put together, the STAR statement will look like this:

 

Developed a marketing strategy to attract customers and generate sales for a new restaurant chain during their first year of operation by researching local trends and competitors' marketing campaigns in order to design a plan that effectively attracted both new customers and returning regulars, resulting in approximately $3 million in revenue during their first year of operation, which exceeded expectations by 25%.

 

You could use a STAR statement like the example above, or you can decide to split the statement into multiple bullet points for each job role or accomplishment you feature on your resume.

 

Example of STAR statement using multiple bullet points:

 

Situation/Task: Developed a marketing strategy to attract customers and generate sales for a new restaurant chain during their first year of operation.

 

Action: Researched local trends and competitors' marketing campaigns in order to design a plan that effectively attracted both new customers and returning regulars.

 

Result: Resulted in approximately $3 million in revenue during their first year of operation, which exceeded expectations by 25%.

6. Don't use a generic resume:

You’ve written the perfect resume, and you’re ready to send it out to employers. But before you do, make sure you tailor your resume for each specific job opening before sending your application.

 

One of the biggest mistakes people make when writing their resume is that they send one generic version of it to every employer. This is not only an awful idea — it’s a bad reflection on how serious you're about getting hired.

 

A generic resume says that you don’t care enough about this job opportunity to tailor your application to it. In other words, if you can’t be bothered to take the time and effort to tailor your application for each job opening, then why should a potential employer give you a shot at an interview for that job position.

 

Here are some tips for tailoring your resume:

 

●     Focus on relevant skills and experience. Emphasize the skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, such as leadership or communication, etc.

 

●     Be specific when describing accomplishments. In order to show employers why they should hire you, it’s important that you can clearly describe your accomplishments and what they mean in terms of results achieved and contributions made. Use numbers where possible so it’s clear how much impact you had on projects or companies.

 

●     Focus on relevant previous job positions. Don’t list every job you’ve ever held, even if they were all in the same industry. Focus on relevant positions, and highlight skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

 

●     Also, make sure that your job history is listed in reverse chronological order. This makes it easy for hiring managers to see where you have been and where you are now.

 

●     Use keywords from the job description in your resume summary. This shows that you understand the role and you're able to match it with your skill set.

7. Proofread and edit your resume:

You've put in the work to create a resume that stands out, now it's time to proofread and edit your resume to make a good first impression on your potential employer.

 

Read through your resume to correct all grammatical, and typographical errors.

 

In addition, use strong verbs when writing about your work experience, so it packs more punch.

 

To summarize, it is crucial to take the time to ensure your resume is the best it can be. It represents you and your work, and it can make a difference in whether you land an interview or not. Hopefully, these resume tips inspire you to get started on creating a resume that effectively showcases your skills and separates you from the competition.