How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Today’s job market can be competitive, to say the least. So, when you’re searching for new employment, it’s important that you do whatever you can to stand out.


But, how do you grab the attention of the owner or hiring manager? Sure, you may be able to win them over in an interview, but the biggest trick can be actually getting an interview. This is where your resume comes in; your resume is the first, and possibly last thing that will come across a hiring manager’s desk when they’re considering you for a position. Let’s review some ways on how to make your resume stand out from all the rest.

Don’t generalize your resume.

When applying for a job, make sure your resume isn’t too general; you’ll want to target your resume somewhat towards the job you are seeking. Over-generalizing your resume can be a mistake often made when you’re applying for more than one job, or jobs in different fields.

Check and re-check for grammar and typos.

There’s nothing worse than sending in a well-written and crafted resume to a potential employer and then realizing you have a blaring typo on the front page. Chances are if you notice it, the hiring manager is going to notice it as well. Proofread your resume for typos or grammar issues a few times before sending it off, then hand it off to a friend or trusted source to proofread as well. Two sets of eyes are better than one!

Grab their attention with a good header.

The job market is competitive, and companies often don’t have the time to read through each resume handed into them; this is why it’s important to grab attention with a great header on your resume. Your header should clearly state your name, contact information, and your professional title or objective.

Use keywords throughout your resume.

These days, companies will often run resumes through software or scanners to pick up on certain keywords or phrases relevant to the job or industry the job is in. It can be helpful to employ some research into what employers are looking for when crafting your resume so you can be sure to include some of the relevant keywords and phrases.

Keep things positive.

Never, under any circumstances, should you speak poorly of a previous employer in your resume. This can be a huge red flag to someone considering you as a candidate. Instead, keep things professional and limit discussion of the previous employment to what your job description was and what skills you may have picked up.

Simplify and don’t use so many fonts.

There is such thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to fonts and colors used on your resume. When you use too many different fonts and colors, instead of being eye-catching or seeming original, it can be distracting and frustrating to look at. Unfortunately, doing this may earn you a spot at the back of the resume pile.

Write for the job you want.

This can mean thorough research before you get started on writing your resume. When you are going for a certain job in a particular industry, you’ll want to make sure you are addressing relevant things to that field. Do some research and find out what attributes and qualities candidates typically have; also, look into what changes and needs are front and center in your industry of choice. Be sure to give examples of how you exemplify the candidate they are looking for, or what specific things you can add in order to help their company succeed.

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