Writing a resume is no fun, but it is a critical part of getting a job. And these days jobs are a bit scarce as more and more people are competing over the few jobs that are popping up. It’s an unfortunate fact of current affairs, but if you’re aware of the fierce competition and you prepare your resume for it, chances are you’ll fair better than most. I’m going to assume that you know the basics of how to write a resume. What I want to advise you on today is how to make sure you get the attention of the HR Manager that may be sifting through a stack of resumes, and at least get a chance to describe what you know how to do.
HR Managers are busy people, and with the deluge of applicants knocking on every door, you have to get their attention straightaway. Rather than beat around the bush, describing your fluffy dreams of “what you’d like to do when you grow up,” many HR managers would better appreciate a brief description of what you’ve done in your past that is directly applicable to what the hiring manager needs in a candidate. So do just that. Before you hit “send” on any job board, make sure you take a minute to write a career description that is relevant to the key features that the job description requires. There is a reason the description has a section that says “Job Requirements.”
Additionally, print a copy of your resume and take a minute to look at its visual impact. Is your resume organized and easy to read? Does it stand out? A little trick I like to do in Word is to go to Format > Borders and Shading… and click on the Page Borders tab. Then, frame my resume so it stands out. If you take a minute to highlight your abilities, maybe you’ll land that interview you’ve been waiting for.
Do you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share or get feedback on? Feel free to send one back in our Comments section and maybe we can help you refine your resume even further.
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