Improve Your Resume

Improve Your Resume How to make a resume that catches the eyeMake a resume that gets leidiced. Dozens, if not hundreds, of job applications bombard recruiters every day. The candidate who figures out how to make a resume that gets noticed wins a prize the recruiters attention.Unfortunately, boring resume templates are the go-to for many job seekers, laments Monster resume expert Kim Isaacs. If you dont want to blend in, youll have to invest some time in creating a fresh design. And, heres a little secret You dont have to be in a creative field to craft a creative resume.If your very-average resume is crying out for help, check out these easy ways to spruce it up.Include your titleAt the top of your resume, beneath your name and contact information, should be a job title that describes your role or the value you bring, says executive resume writer Donna Svei. This could be either the job title that youre applying for (e.g., Real estate CFO), or it could be a title that d emonstrates your level of expertise (e.g., Fortune 500 absatzwirtschaft Executive). This adds a professional, unpretentious polish.Call out your big career accomplishmentsMost people know to include career accomplishments in the experience section of their resume to show how they added value to their employers, says Isaacs. What many job seekers dont know, though, is they should be highlighting these achievements at the top of their resume, she adds.To capture a recruiter or hiring managers attention, Isaacs recommends calling out your big career wins and unique skills in the career summary section toward the top of your resume. Heres one exampleAccomplished executivewith a proven ability to develop and implement real estate strategies that support business and financial objectives. Have led key initiatives that reduced operating budget by $32 million and contributed to 550 percent stock increase. Recognized as an expert in applying financial concepts to asset management decisions.N otice how the summary uses numbers to highlight the results. Its much mora impressive than simply writing what you did. Employers like to see proof of your accomplishments, and numbers help tremendously.Use charts, graphs, and diagrams to highlight important dataFew resumes break away from the standard bullet point formatting. Therefore, one way to make your resume stand out is by incorporating graphics into the layout. From line graphs that illustrate sales performance to column charts with before-and-after comparisons, these elements draw attention to key points that you want to emphasize, says Isaacs.However, bear in mind that applicant tracking systems (ATS) might not be able to parse information from charts or other graphics, so also weave crucial data into the body of the resume, Isaacs advises.Make it popDont be afraid to take risks with other aspects of your resumes design. Specifically, consider adding a splash of color to job titles or section headings (see how its done in this sample resume for an interior designer) this will not only make your resume easier to skim but also more visually appealing. Pro tip Take a cue from your prospective employers brand and choose the dominant color from the companys logo.Look modern Bring your resume into the modern era by opting for a modern font. I cant remember the last time I used Times New Roman on a resume, says Lauren Milligan, founder and chief executive of ResuMayDay. Milligan recommends using Calibri, Arial, or Verdana this sample resume for a social media manager uses Century Gothic. These fonts will translate well between operating systems and ATS, she explains. Meaning, avoid anything too fancy otherwise your resume might get overlooked in the machine-screening process.Include live linksWhile you dont want to include samples of your work unless youre explicitly told to do so, including a live link to your zugreifbar portfolio or work samples give employers the option to see what youve done. That said , its important to exercise restraint. I generally recommend one or two hyperlinks on a resume, says Milligan. Anything more and it could be distracting to the reader.Need more help?Its not like you grew up one day and knew how to write a perfect resume. It takes practice to get the details right. Could you use some help? Get a free resume evaluation today from the experts atMonsters Resume Writing Service. Youll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review ofyour resumes appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiters first impression. Monsters experts will show you quick and easy tips to boost your resumeand your chances of scoring a great new job.