Often, your resume serves as a company’s first impression of you, and you want it to be a good first impression. But beyond quadruple-checking grammar and updating your job experience, how can you make your resume stand out above the rest? The following three tips can bolster your resume and get you noticed by employers.
Alter the Aesthetics
If you work in a highly technical field, a basic serif font on a resume will suffice. However, for graphic designers, videographers, and writers, you may want to consider adding some color to the resume. There are plenty of templates out there for building a colorful resume, from borders to unique fonts, but putting in some personal touches will really make it pop. So, what all can you do? For starters, pick a font that’s easy to read but unique enough to stand out. Avoid generic fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial, but don’t pick overly decorative fonts like Curlz. Once you’ve settled on a font, embellish the document with some color. Try to keep the colors calm, and if you use more than one, make sure the color scheme is logical. For example, green and red look good during the holidays, but can easily clash. You can also add a border or background, but make sure it isn’t too distracting. Overall, you want your resume to be distinct but subtle—an oxymoronic balance, but a realistic one.
Use Dynamic Language
When listing responsibilities from previous jobs, use dynamic sentences. Oftentimes, resumes use passive voice, which looks like this: “I was responsible for managing employees.” Almost any resume for any applicant could say that. Instead, change the language to make it more exciting: “I managed teams of employees in order to complete challenging projects.”Avoid passive verbs like “is” and “have,” and instead utilize exciting verbs such as “managed” and “analyzed.” Not only is this more exciting for an employer to read, but it also serves to better illustrate your skills and previous responsibilities.
Consider the Job Posting
As you gain more work experience and skills, you’ll have to pick and choose what belongs on your resume. When applying for a job, read the posting carefully and highlight keywords. These could be job responsibilities such as “manage” and “communicate,” or technical skills such as “SEO proficiency” or “excel certification.” As you comb through your resume, make sure you apply these keywords in position roles and descriptions. Pick the most relevant jobs you’ve held to fill out the resume. Large businesses are notorious for using algorithms and artificial intelligence to sort through heaps of applications. By implementing keywords, you increase your chances of getting a resume past this digital barrier and into the hands of a human employer.
