Resume Help Blog

Posts Tagged ‘make a resume’

When applying for a specific position, it’s essential that you include keywords on your resume:

• Keywords that reflect your field of expertise
• Keywords that were used in the job posting, as many companies use software to evaluate how well a person’s skills match with those listed in the job posting

Companies are receiving thousands of resumes each day, so yours needs to stand out among all the others. Here’s how:

1. Be a match. If you are interested in applying for a specific position, be sure to research the company and thoroughly go over the job description and position requirements. If they list specific requirements and you have experience that fits what they are looking for, highlight this information clearly on your resume so the reader can quickly see that you “match” the position. Use caution that you aren’t repeating the exact phrasing from the advertisement—use the keywords that will identify you as a match. Also, don’t rule yourself out even if you feel you’re not a close match. Send the resume and let the employer decide.
2. Be concise. In addition to your duties with current and past employers, it is important to include contributions and achievements, as well as your educational background—but don’t overdo it. A resume is basically an advertisement, and your goal is to create enough interest that the organization will want to learn more about you by telephone or in a face-to-face interview. When a resume contains too many heavy details, you run the risk of overloading the reader, which can result in him or her missing important accomplishments you have achieved during your career. A prospective employer isn’t going to take the time to read a resume that is too lengthy.
3. Be active and persistent. Finally, if you have been part of a reduction in workforce, be assured that you will eventually successfully land a job. Treat your job search like you treated your full-time job—dedicate your time to it every day. Many times when someone is no longer working, they feel lost and unsure, but the key to triumphing over this situation is to commit to beginning the search process and moving forward from there. Get out there and make things happen!