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10 Resume Tips to Help You Land Your Next Job

Job search is never easy and it becomes even more challenging if you don’t have the right strategies in place to secure the job that you want.

Job search is never easy and it becomes even more challenging if you don’t have the right strategies in place to secure the job that you want. But what are these strategies, how do they work and where can you learn more about them? That’s exactly what we want to discuss in this article – 10 resume tips to help you land your next job!

1) Your Resume is All About Marketing Yourself to Employers

Telling a compelling story that demonstrates what you can do for them and why they need you. That’s not an easy task, especially if your experience level is low or your background is outside of a traditional career path. Because of that, many job seekers make big mistakes when it comes to writing their resumes. Avoiding those blunders will help you put together a great professional profile and land more interviews with employers. Make sure you use these tips for creating a stellar resume.

2) Write A Powerful Opening Sentence

The first sentence is one of your most powerful tools when it comes to grabbing an employer’s attention. One of my favorite tips for crafting a killer opening sentence? Avoid cliches like To Whom It May Concern. If you feel like saying that makes you sound formal, try swapping in a thought-provoking statement or question instead.

3) Use Keywords and Phrases

Use keywords and phrases in your resume that potential employers are searching for. Use words such as: software, tech, engineering, design, architect. Instead of saying software developer say Java Developer. A hiring manager can’t search for what is not there on your resume. Think of it like a piece of cake – a nice and fluffy layer of resume fluff (keywords and phrases) is what you want! Professional Experience: Start with your most recent work experience first.

4) Keep it Structured

do you know what they want? Most hiring managers spend just six seconds looking at a resume. Make sure your first impression is a good one by following these tips:

Use strong action verbs and present tense (e.g., led, managed) rather than passive verbs (e.g., was responsible for).
Include skills that are relevant to your target job (e.g., MS Office Suite) rather than all of your work history; use bulleted lists if necessary but avoid dense paragraphs of text.
Include numbers, percentages or dollar signs next to each accomplishment and include quantifiable results whenever possible (e.g., increased sales 5% during the 2010 fiscal year).
List previous jobs in reverse chronological order from the most recent position to your very first job out of college.
List education information after experience section and include GPA only if it is 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale; list highest degree earned only (no need to reiterate bachelors/masters degrees earned earlier in life).
Always include contact information on your resume; even though many employers now prefer email addresses over snail mail addresses nowadays, they still like having everything easily accessible.
Only list references upon request: doing otherwise is considered poor etiquette.

5) Tailor It To The Company

So you’ve figured out what you want and which company would be a good fit. How do you get them to notice you? Tailor your resume: Don’t send out one-size-fits-all resumes. Make sure each copy is tailored to each individual position; show why they should hire you, not just how qualified you are. Start by looking at their mission statement and job description, and jot down some notes about how your skills, experience, background, and education fit what they’re looking for.

6) Get Employers To Notice You

The first step to finding a job is letting employers know you’re on the market. First impressions are everything—that’s why your resume is one of your most important assets when looking for work. Remember, resumes are used by employers as a tool for screening candidates for jobs, so make sure yours stands out from other applicants.

7) Avoid These Common Mistakes

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to resumes, there are some common mistakes that plague job seekers.

Keep education in reverse chronological order
Leave out any details you don’t want your future employer to know
Don’t pad your work history
Stick with professional fonts
Watch where you place your contact information

8) Design Your CV For Print Or Online

When it comes to resumes, you have two options: print or online. If you’re applying for a traditional job with a large company, it may be easier to work within their system and create an on-site resume with an online application. If your target company is more forward-thinking, they may accept a digital copy of your resume in PDF format via email. In either case, make sure your resume clearly states where people can find your LinkedIn profile as well as your personal website if applicable.

9) Proofread, Proofread, Proofread…

Always double-check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors. A typo-free resume is a clear indication that you take pride in your work, which will make you appear more professional in an employer’s eyes. Additionally, if you find yourself filling out job applications online, apply to as many jobs as possible. The more applications you fill out, the better your chances of being called in for an interview.

10) Add a Short Cover Letter

In today’s job market, there’s a high volume of qualified candidates for every position. Employers have a lot of choices and can be picky about who they hire. Some employers even insist on meeting their new employees before an offer is made—which means you’ll need to submit your resume with a short cover letter that specifically describes why you are an ideal candidate for their opening.

Use it as a chance to sell yourself, while also relating what your skills would bring to their company. Here’s how: explain how you found out about the opportunity; describe how your previous work experience makes you particularly qualified; summarize any skills or credentials that may not show up on your resume but could make you particularly suited for the job; close by suggesting when you could come in for an interview or outlining when (and if) you will follow up.