Expert Pro Tips: 5 Quick Fixes to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Resumes are a two-edged sword; on the one hand, you hold the keys to better financial security, perhaps a more convenient work schedule… I wrote for you a few years ago.

Let me tell you, you are not doing yourself a favor if your resume is more than 6 months old! Resumes today have a harder time reaching the employer. Updates and formatting to the current standard are a MUST!

Automated systems now scan your resume for relevant keywords, so if you were wondering why you haven’t received an interview call, now you know.

So let’s fix this right now.

1. One-page resumes are no more.

Sure, 20 years ago you could put what you need on a sheet, but in today’s job market, professionals are complex, and recruiters know it. One page resumes will really hurt your interview chance.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you can now digress and create a war and peace novel out of your resume; your resume should be laser-focused, something I’ll discuss in the next solution.

2. Resumes with damn lasers on them.

A focused resume is necessary because long gone are the days of sending the same resume to 100 different jobs worked. Most companies use an ATS system that scans resumes for keywords. I’ll let that sit. Your ‘cash standard resume fits all’ is being vetted by a machine first. Now do you see why you need to have your resume laser-focused? Whichever position you choose, your resume needs to fit that position – that automated system is looking for exactly what the recruiter is looking for.

3. Market that email.

Use your email as an opportunity to make it memorable and I don’t mean [email protected]. Your email can work for you just like it appears at the top of your resume (did I mention it HAS to be clickable?)

Please consider receiving an email for your particular field.

My point here is to get an email to market your particular skills and show an employer how serious you are about your field.

4. Professional Experience.

Look at what the job you’re applying for is asking for in a candidate, then be sure to tailor your professional experience section to use those same keywords.

5. Target acquired.

Your resume must have a target job title. This will appear at the top of your resume and I highly recommend tailoring that job title objective to whatever job you’re applying for. This will give automatic resume scanners a great opportunity to pick your resume over others.

If there is a resume issue you would like me to write about, please let me know by contacting me on my website.