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4 Tips to Make Your Resume Better Than Ever

Resume and black pen on laptop in a home office

Mapping out the perfect resume is easier said than done. There are tons of different ways to approach writing out your CV, and experts have a variety of opinions on what can make or break your application. The challenges behind a good resume are twofold: first, you have to be able to list out your relevant experiences and accomplishments, and second, you have to be able to stand out from the crowd.

CareerBuilder found that over 42% of hiring managers receive more than 50 resumes for each open position, and 25% receive more than 75 resumes. Competition for jobs can be fierce, so your resume has to prove that you’re the best candidate. If you’re looking to improve your resume writing and get that longed-for interview, then here are some tips to make your resume better than ever.

1. Find Your Focus

It might be tempting to cram all your achievements and work experience in your resume to prove that you have what it takes, but that can actually be counterproductive. Remember, hiring managers go through dozens of applications per day, and they might not have time to read through all your experiences from college up to the present. Pick and choose the most relevant achievements, and make sure you highlight the parts of your history that are relevant to the position.

2. Pick Relevant Terms

With the advent of technology and online job postings, hiring managers need to find more efficient ways to go through all the applications they receive. One of these methods is via Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which filter resumes according to keywords. You’ll need to tailor your resume to the job position and pick keywords and concepts that your prospective employers are looking for. You can find these keywords by looking carefully at the job postings and using the language of employers.

3. Communicate Well

A good resume isn’t just about what you’ve done, but how you present it. Remember, you’ll be going up against a lot of other qualified candidates, and many of these candidates may have the same experience and qualifications you do. Aviation Job Net suggests that fuzzy or poorly written messages can often cause confusion, and recommend that applicants review their grammar and spelling before submitting anything. There are also different ways for applicants to communicate effectively, whether via phone or email, so make sure to read up on these and play to your strengths.

4. Keep It Simple

Hiring managers don’t have the time to go through every single application with a fine-toothed comb. You’ll only have a limited amount of their time and attention, so make sure it counts. You can start by keeping your resume simple and to the point, avoiding flowery language and unnecessary detail. Harvard career experts recommend that you not only list out your relevant experience but also indicate how you executed your duties. This doesn’t have to be too wordy and can be done via bullet points illustrating the relevant tasks you executed or skills you honed through your previous work experience.

For more great career advice, check out the other blogs on Career Geek.

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