Applying for a job or a college or an internship and that one piece of paper that mockingly looks at you, stating that “I’ll be the one that will decide whether you get in or not!” That resume! Can be frustrating getting It precisely how you want the employer to see it, right? We know the toll it takes while editing it, again and again, to get it spot-on! Mind you, every one of us has struggled with it at one point in time. Yet, what got us out of the rut?
Let me tell you a secret! Professional help!
But before we delve into the entirety of the nitty-gritty of that, let’s talk a little about what this resume is all about and why is it so important for you to tailor it perfectly.
A resume is a short document that is usually one to three pages long and it highlights your qualifications, work background, achievements, and other necessary details that would be required by your employer. It is also referred to as a CV (curriculum vitae) or a bio. Its purpose is to give your employer a summary of who you are and which qualifications you have that make you the ideal candidate for the position. With so many job applicants in the market, it’s crucial to have a resume that is up-to-date and relevant. Here are some of the top reasons why you need an excellent resume:
Saves Time:
An employer does not have much time at hand. They sift through dozens of resumes and if you have all the relevant details on your resume, it’ll make it extremely convenient for the employer to ask you other questions during the interview process. Without a resume, you’d be standing against so many applicants who may have the same credentials as you do. So, how you present your information really matters and helps you to eliminate competition.
Crisp and brief:
This document is a summary of all of your qualifications, credentials, skills, and other relevant details. It can also be helpful if you have accomplished a lot and want to showcase your experience in the field to a potential employer. A good CV also helps you to communicate your motives to an employer. To put it simply: it is a document that aims to market you as the most desirable candidate.
No Fluff:
A lot of people think that it’s nice to have a detailed CV. Well, it’s actually the opposite. Time is really important for a recruiter which is why it should be result-driven. An employee should focus on how they can provide value to the company they’re hoping to work for. Simply mentioning the skill set they have isn’t enough. They should showcase their accomplishments in the previous workplace and how they benefited the company. Essentially, it’s important to exclude all the “fluff” or the fillers from a bio and keep it concise. A recruiter is interested to know how you can take their company to the next level. For example, if you’re a graphic designer who knows how to use Photoshop, try to highlight how you can use your skills to make attractive graphics. Your skills show your potential while your accomplishments and aims can help the recruiter to understand how you’ve put those skills to use.
In the digitalized world that we’re in, it’s very easy to simply sort resumes according to specific keywords. This is why having relevant keywords can make a big difference.
Land an interview:
A good bio doesn’t get you a job – BUT it lands you an interview. Usually, a major chunk of applicants is sorted out using their resume. Once that is done, the recruiter would like to meet the potential employees and ask them some more questions that can help them to make the right decision. So many employees, after being rejected because of their resumes, think that they would’ve been the ideal candidate for the job.
Works as an outline:
A CV works as an outline. It means that the employer can ask you more about the mentioned details and you can use the pointers mentioned in the bio to fill in the gaps. A bio can help you to take a step back and see if you have the skills that are required for the job. It helps you to keep your details in an organized format and evaluate if you need to update your skills. You don’t need a resume to score a job, it’s necessary to have one just in case you meet someone who is looking for candidates who have the same qualifications as you do. A bio can be helpful even if you’re interested in scoring a better job or just want to have all the details collected and organized for the future.
How Should You Stand Out?
Now that you know how a CV is an important tool that can help you kick-start your career, it’s time to understand how you should stand out from the crowd of applicants. A well-structured, organized bio is key to helping you get an interview. An industry expert can help you to understand which information it is that employers seek. You should also know what kind of resume would be suitable for the position that you’re applying for.
It can be very overwhelming if you’ve spent your life working in different fields and now want a job in a whole new area where your work experience seems a little irrelevant. Fret not! There are a few techniques that can help you to look like the most suitable candidate.
Read the Job Description
The first thing that you need to do is often skipped by a large number of applicants. Make sure to edit your information according to the job description. Understand what it is that the role requires. For instance, does it require you to have knowledge of Microsoft Office? If so, make sure to include relevant skills that you have.
Nail that tagline
Before the reader goes down to check your accomplishments and credentials, they often want to get a slight peek into the candidate’s profile and mindset. The two to three-liner introduction can set you apart from others applying for the same thing. Be crisp in it. Do not add unnecessary heavy words or information. Make it impactful and see how it works in your favour.
Extra Skills = BONUS!
It may be that the role doesn’t enlist the skills that you already have. But that doesn’t mean that your skills are of no use now. In fact, you need to think of ways in which you can use those skills for the current position. For example, if you’re a content writer who is good at biology, you can write how you can write articles related to the subject and even provide insight for your readers.
Be the Problem Solver
Every company wants employees who drive results. If you can bring value to the company by solving a problem, then make sure you include the reasons in your cover letter that is accompanied by the resume. Help your employer to understand that you are the perfect candidate who can solve problems and be an asset to the company.
It might seem daunting at first, but like they say, “practice makes perfect!”
So, keep trying, and you will definitely find success, but what if there is a deadline looming over your head? No matter what they say, the shorter the deadline, the more detrimental its effect on the outcome. So, before you cram yourself on your desk and try to untangle the subtleties of curating the perfect resume, let me remind you of the secret I shared above.
Write Right, the brainchild of Bhavik Sarkhedi, is the one-stop solution for all your content needs. With over 1500 reviews on Google, we proudly state that we have helped our clients climb the ladder of professional success and get into their desired cohorts by tailoring their resumes to perfection! So, while you work towards perfecting the art of resume writing, for shorter deadlines, the perfect one is just a click away.
