Do you want to create the perfect resume that grabs the attention of recruiters?
Crafting an irresistible resume that attracts recruiters can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance and tips, it can be achieved.
As a career coach and expert ( Leadership Coach and HR Pro with 13+ years of expertise hiring thousands), I have seen many resumes, and I know what makes a resume stand out from the rest. But to add to it, I spoke with a few well-known resume writers and recruiters to pull together a few tips to help your resume blaze a path to a recruiter's inbox.
In this blog, I will share 7 tips ( plus a few bonus tips) on how to craft an irresistible resume that will grab the recruiter's attention and land you an interview.
Tip 1: Tell a Story
Learn or get someone to help you craft a winning pitch on paper. What I mean by that is to use your resume to communicate who you are, what your experience is, and why it matters in one concise story.
Ensure each sentence provides detail about your key skills and experiences so recruiters can understand why they should consider you for the job. If you need help on what that should include, take a look on LinkedIn for job postings and profiles of the people in your dream roles, or one of my fave sites 👉🏽https://linkedin.github.io/career-explorer/ can be used to help you find the skills you need to highlight.
Recruiter Tip: In fact, by providing evidence of your ability to make sound decisions that drive business growth, employers will see the value you can bring to their organization.
Tip 2: Highlight Outcomes Instead of Inputs
Potential employers want to see what outputs came as a result of your efforts. Instead of listing out responsibilities, use bullet points to showcase outcomes that resulted from your work. This will paint a clearer picture for potential employers and trigger more interest in your candidacy.
Thom Jennings, Senior Account Manager, Team Leader at 24 Seven Talent suggests, “Use examples with numbers to back them up. Saying you managed a team is great. Saying you managed a 45-person team that was responsible for $100M in revenue is much better!”
Tip 3: Use Copywriting Techniques
Making your words count is crucial in grabbing the attention of recruiters, and really just making you feel good! Use headlines and bullet points to emphasize your unique value proposition and showcase your skills and experiences. By utilizing copywriting techniques, you can make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Here is a formula we like (and use!) that can help you think of WHAT to highlight on your resume ( or even cold email outreach to a recruiter or an interview):
PAS: Problem, Agitation, Solution - This formula starts by identifying the reader's problem or pain point, then agitates it by describing how it affects them, and finally offers a solution to solve the problem.
Example: Reduced production costs (Problem) by identifying inefficiencies in supply chain management and streamlining vendor selection process (Agitation). Developed and implemented new cost-effective strategies resulting in a 15% increase in overall profit margins (Solution).
Hack: Start to reflect monthly using this formula. You could even write this on a spreadsheet and use 3 columns (Problems Solved, Why was it a problem, and what did I do). Use this to not only write your resume but to share your wins with your boss.
Tip 4: Transform Your Bullet Points
Transform your responsibilities-focused bullet points into impactful statements using a simple formula. After stating what you did, add a statement that shows what happened as a result of your actions.
For example, instead of listing "managed staff turnover rate," you could say "decreased staff turnover by 25%, championing employee engagement and professional development initiatives to create an inclusive culture and more satisfied employees."
By highlighting accomplishments rather than just listing out duties, potential employers can quickly recognize the value you can bring to their team.
So, take action this week and revamp your resume to make it more engaging. By focusing on accomplishments, highlighting outcomes, and transforming your bullet points, you can create a resume that stands out from the rest and captures the attention of potential employers.
Hack: Set an alert on your phone on the first Monday to reflect on what you achieved the previous month. Keep note of big wins, what you were recognized for, what you helped others do, anything new you learned, etc.
IMAGINE if you captured at least 5 things per month - you would have 60 awesome things you did that will help you get to the next level (and help your resume look 100x better).
Tip 5: Showcase Specialized Skills
Are you an expert in something that may be relevant to the job? Remember to highlight any specialized skills or experience that make you stand out from other candidates, so recruiters know what makes you valuable.
Keep It Short and Sweet: A lengthy resume will only do good if it is relevant; include only information demonstrating how you will benefit their business through past experiences or accomplishments. Quality over quantity is key here! But resumes can still be more than one page if needed.
Tip 6: Follow Job Market Trends
Research current trends related to your industry or desired role so that your resume reflects up-to-date expectations and requirements for potential employers. Keeping up with the changing market allows recruiters to easily see if you have the necessary skills needed for the job today.
Hack: Set Google alerts for companies that you like, career topics you like, you things you want to learn to stay in the know!
Tip 7: Seek Professional Help
Finally, seeking professional help can give you an edge over other candidates. Professional resume writers know the latest trends and techniques in resume writing and can help you craft an irresistible resume. They can help you identify your unique selling points, tailor your resume to the job, and highlight your achievements. This investment can pay off in the long run, as a well-crafted resume can open up new career opportunities. This is why we have such a high satisfaction rate over the The Modern Edge Careers!
Tip 8: Unknown Tip from Professional Resume Writers
In addition to the tips above, here is an unknown tip from professional resume writers: Customize your LinkedIn headline. Your LinkedIn headline is the first thing recruiters see when they search for candidates.
Use it to highlight your key skills and achievements and show how you can add value to an organization. This will make your profile more attractive and increase your chances of being contacted by recruiters.
So, take action this week and revamp your resume to make it more engaging. By focusing on accomplishments, highlighting outcomes, and transforming your bullet points, you can create a resume that stands out from the rest and captures the attention of potential employers.
What else would you add to this list?
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