Have you ever wondered what kind of information an employer looks for when you submit your resume online? Well, no need to wonder any more because in today’s post, we’re sharing four of the most important areas for you to focus on so that your resume stands out from the rest.
This is your first opportunity to truly shine. The headline is where you get to quickly advertise your skills, professional goals, and pertinent qualifications in a single statement. It’s extremely important to make sure that your statement is engaging and expressive. It should be clear to the recruiter that you are a valid option for the position they are seeking to fill.
This is a big one. As time moves forward and the use of technology increases, the recruiting industry is also being influenced by the changes. Employers are now utilizing the ease and effectiveness of software that help to streamline the hiring process and make it more efficient and accurate for their business. One of the things that these computer programs can do is quickly scan an applicant’s resume for specific keywords related to the position the company is trying to fill.
Whenever you are applying for a position, think about the job posting in great detail. Does your experience match the experience, skills, and knowledge that the employer is in search of? Once you are able to determine your strongest matches, in relation to the role, apply those words all throughout your resume for higher consideration and to show that you are a qualified match for the job opening.
Your personal brand is how others see and describe you as well as how you promote yourself. Much of this information is easily accessible through the popularity of social networks and Google searches. Contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal for an employer to use information gathered from your social media account to make an informed decision in the hiring process.
So make sure that whatever needs to be private is private and that you are showcasing a clear representation of how you want to be depicted. It should be fairly simple for an employer to do a quick Facebook search and identify some of your likes, values, and personality traits. They aren’t searching for negative things like hateful speech or racial slurs, but if they find it, it can definitely be a strike against you.
Your resume should tell a quick story of the progression of your career. It’s where you have the opportunity to list the relevant responsibilities that you had in each of your positions and the experience that you gained. Basically, the story that you tell through your resume should be a clear expression as to why you are a good fit for the position.
Now you know what employers are looking for in the perfect resume. Be sure to include all of the points mentioned in this article and you are well on your way to landing your dream job.