Six resume hacks to make your background more compelling

With the start of a new year, it is unofficially the beginning of job hunt season. Since a vast amount of job seekers will be delving into their heightened career search, it can be hard to get your resume to stand out. However, now you can improve your resume following these top five tips to help you glide right past resume screening and into the interview process.

1. Keep it simple & to the point

Stop babbling! If you have more than five years of experience, do not list every responsibility and accomplishment. Instead, reduce the information to only include relevant projects and milestones that coincide with the role in which you are applying for. Since hiring managers scan your resume from 15–20 seconds, you want to make sure their eyes are skimming your best and most relevant work.

2. Incorporate figures & statistics

Numbers aren’t always boring. Incorporating figures in your responsibilities as well as your accomplishments will add a level of detail that will not be overlooked. People respond better to numbers and hard data. If you include the budget you managed, revenue growth, or even statistics that prove your success in the role, your resume will be more compelling.

3. Include keywords

Verbiage is key. Make sure your work experience sounds powerful. Instead of saying that you “created” use a stronger synonym like “initiated.” Stronger vocabulary will help demonstrate intelligence and will indicate that you are a strong candidate.

Other keywords include specifics on software systems you have advanced knowledge of or work with on a daily basis, such as Excel, InDesign, or Marketo. Including software and platform names will distinguish you among other applicants that keep the software or platform ambiguous.

4. Name drop

Impress by association. If you lead or contributed to a well known project, now is your time to name drop. Adding a specific project which is recognized in your field will be a key indicator that you have lead or contributed to a strong team and make your resume more compelling than generic job responsibilities.

5. Tailor your resume to the job

Don’t be lazy. All jobs have unique and distinct differences, even if the title is identical. Recognizing which skills are most important to each job you apply for is critical. By identifying the position’s prioritized skills, you can place their keywords (see tip 2) throughout your resume to make you look like the perfect applicant.

6. Ask for help

Not sure what to leave out and what to highlight? Robert Walters is a global recruiting firm that specializes in building long-term relationships. Since we work with tech start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, we know what to focus on. You can contact any of us and we will gladly help to optimize your resume. Contact us today.