Almost any job that you apply for is going to ask you for a resume. Employers want to know who you are and what you have done, so they can get a good idea of what you know. The look of your resume will depend on the level of professionalism of the position you are applying for.
For example, a resume for a job as a marketing director will probably look much different compared to a resume for a production supervisor; however, all resumes should be organized, detailed, and they should also fit the job description of the job your applying for perfectly. Here at TPI we know the importance of matching an employee’s resume to the job description of our clients. Here are five ways you can strengthen your resume!
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Review the Job Description Well
Employers can receive many resumes at one time, and they must find a way to narrow them down. They are looking for skills on your resume that match their job perfectly. So, if the job description says, “Duties will include managing a front desk and performing clerical duties such as answering phones and data entry,” your resume should have reception or clerical experience and the description should say, “Managed a front desk and performed clerical duties such as answering phones and data entry.” Include these keywords, which indicate required skills and qualifications.
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Use Action Words
Your resume acts as an advertisement of yourself as a potential employee. You want it to say things that will grab the attention and interest of your potential employer! Here are some examples of action words that you can use in your work experience descriptions:
- Controlled
- Coordinated
- Executed
- Operated
- Orchestrated
- Organized
- Oversaw
- Planned
- Produced
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Format, Format, Format
You should have separate sections on your resume for experience, education, achievements, and skills. While experience is one of the most important sections of your resume, you need to make sure you are including other factors in an organized way. Your name should be at the top of your resume, and you could put an objective column or an about me section under that. On the left side, you could list your education, skills, and achievements, and in the middle, you can neatly organize your work experience and descriptions with the most recent job you have worked at the top.
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Keep It Simple (Strategically)
If there is a lot of competition in the position you are applying for, employers won’t have time to read your entire resume if they are quickly trying to narrow down their applicants. According to business2community.com, the average time spent by recruiters looking at a resume is 5 to 7 seconds. So, don’t get elaborate when describing your work experience, but make sure you describe it effectively like using some of the action words we mentioned earlier! If you are going to use color in the font, do not make it gaudy or unflattering, make sure it is easy to read and catches the eye. Stick to red, or dark blue, avoid colors like yellow and light green.
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References Should Stay Separate
References are not always needed. They are usually only needed upon request. You can include a note at the bottom of your resume that reads, “References available upon request.” This will give you more room to put your work experiences. You should make a separate sheet for your references that looks similar to your resume. For example, if your resume is on off white paper with dark red lettering, your reference sheet should be on off white paper with dark red lettering.
Your resume could be the difference between you getting the job you want or not. It is the one of the main things that says, “Hey this is me, and here’s why you should hire me!” If you aren’t sure how to make a resume, there are free templates and examples online! If you register with TPI Staffing Service, Inc. today we can help you make your resume, and help you reach your career goals!