Writing a resume takes time. But if done correctly, it can mean landing a job quickly. Knowing these five ways to improve a resume can give job seekers a better chance at landing an interview.
Eliminate Useless, Overused Resume Buzz Words
There are two types of resume buzz words. First, there are those specific to an industry or profession, such as technology or accounting. This group is often necessary to describe the candidate’s specific work experience. However, take care not to overdo or to use uncommon terms, such as those specific to a company.
Then there are buzz words meant to illustrate the job seeker’s qualities or skill sets. To often these tend to be empty and meaningless because they are so overused; terms such as “good interpersonal skills” and “great communication skills” or “responsible for” and “handled.”
This second group of buzz words has been used by so many applicants so many times they nowadays they are rendered meaningless because everyone has their own idea of what these terms mean. That's why it is up to job seekers to be specific and paint an exact picture of what they mean.
Demonstrate Skills by Choosing the Right Words
While job seekers are busy weeding out useless, overused resume buzz words, they need to be adding in descriptive keywords which highlight and illustrate their specific accomplishments and contributions.
Words that quantify – time, date, percentage – how and what a job seeker accomplished tell a potential new employer more than empty five-dollar words. This means including work achievements in a resume by describing specifically what was undertaken and the results.
Combine Jobs Working for One Employer
Job seekers who have been fortunate to have long-term success with a single organization with the opportunity to fill several different roles during their tenure need to consider how to communicate this success without devoting their entire resume to this single employer, unless this is the only place they’ve ever worked.
Most employers are not interested in title changes unless the accompanying job duties varied significantly. So while going from a role in one department to another matters, moving from “supervisor” to “manager” in the same department is not as significant. In this case consider using the most recent (and hopefully highest level) position title and then explain the specifics in person.
Provide Details About Past Employers
Job seekers who work for Google, Microsoft, Bank of America and other well-known employers don’t have this issue. But those who work for a small or lesser-known organization should take the time to explain what their organization does.
A one-sentence explanation that highlights key information can tell a potential new employer a lot and help them determine if there is a match with regard to work environment. Here’s an example: Human Resources Manager for $500MM publicly traded health service organization with over 150 locations and 3000 employees worldwide.
Avoid Using Pronouns
Some resume experts advocate personalizing resumes by saying “I did this” or “I did that.” However, not only does this add extra words which take up the already limited space available, it makes a resume seem unprofessional and amateurish. It’s obvious who the resume is about; the pronoun is unnecessary.
Even worse is to write the resume in third person as if writing about someone else entirely. When candidates introduce themselves as if this is their alter ego – “he did this” or “she did that” – it’s just plain weird.
There are a lot of different ways that job seekers can make their resume stand out from the crowd and help to make sure it’s one of the best. And these are five ways of the best ways to do it.
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