When applying for a new job, first impressions count, and your resume is the very first impression you make. Most resumes will be vetted through a Human Resources (HR) representative before being forwarded through to a Manager. This HR person will be looking to see if you meet the fundamental requirements of the role before passing on your resume. That is why it is SO important to tailor your resume for each new role you apply for.
Ask for the Job Description. Whenever I am applying for a new role, if a job description isn’t provided then I will reach out to the HR department to request one. This Job Description and the ‘job advertisement’ can become a template for your resume. These two documents will tell you everything that needs to be in your resume. If the job description says they need an organised individual who is competent in the Microsoft office suite, then your resume should make it explicitly clear that you are that person.
Ensure it is Clear and Easy to Read. The HR representative and Manager could be going through piles of different resumes. A resume that will stand out is one that is clean, clear, concise and easy to understand. You should choose a nice clear font, ensure all of your formatting is correct and that the page and content flows well. I always choose Verandah on Microsoft Word and have even been complimented on how enjoyable my resume was to read.
Include a Kick Ass Cover Letter. Applying for a new position is all about selling yourself and your cover letter is the first thing a potential employer will see. Make sure it has everything in there that they need to know. Align your cover letter with the position description and make it impossible for them to turn you away. If your cover letter and resume touches on every point in their Job Description then they would be silly to not want to interview you.
At the end, Edit and Format. The Editing and formatting is extremely important. If you are saying you have high attention to detail, but your resume is riddled with mistakes then it will be hard to believe what you are saying in your resume. If all of your formatting is consistent it will also make your resume easier to read and look much neater.
Feel free to Embellish a little. I saw a statistic once that men are more likely to go for a role they don’t think they are qualified to carry out. I think it is so important to go for whatever role you want. Never put anything in your resume that you can’t do or don’t feel confident you could quickly pick up. But I think it is okay to embellish a little to help get an interview. At the end of the day, you will learn everything you need to know on the job, so as long as you have the basics you will be fine!
A resume is your first point of contact, your first appearance to a potential employer. Make your resume stand out for all of the right reasons and make yourself irresistible. After you have your resume looking clean and sparkly, there are a few other things you can do to make yourself stand out for a new role, but get started on this and I will post some more handy tips soon!
As always, if you have any questions or topics you want to read more about, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Kate
The Corporate Life