Everyday employers speak with some of the most intelligent, talented, and experienced professionals in an economy that is pushing 15% unemployment. In order to get past the screening process, everything that you typed into your resume needs to fit the bill. In other word, your resume needs to make your potential employer jump with enthusiasm rather than cringe in disappointment.
Highlight your awards and accomplishments.
Are you a Top Producer at work? If so, place that baby on your resume because it makes those HR Managers drool over those types of honors! Show them that you are great at what you do and you have been recognized by the higher-ups at your company for it.
Show em the numbers.
Be sure to let them know that you met or exceeded whatever quotas and goals that were assigned to you. Instead of saying what you’ve done, show them the numbers! Employers love thinking about those graphs with red lines shooting up into outer space. Showing that you can quantify your success is a sign of confidence.
Extracurricular activities.
Employers love seeing that you played varsity sports or participated in a few clubs while simultaneously kicking butt at college. It shows that you’re a multi-tasker, a team player, and have interests that go far beyond just hobbies. Show that you are a leader and passionate about what you do.
With every stellar resume, there is a not-so-great one to take its place. These are some definite red flags that the front line recruiting team cannot look past that result in the dreaded “thanks but no thanks” email that most candidates receive:
Poor grammar and spelling. The kiss of Death!
We know that not everyone majored in writing at college, but don’t solely rely on spell check when proofreading your resume. Print it out and attack that bad boy with a red pen, or have a friend go over it with you. A misplaced comma won’t drown your efforts, but try to at least spell the job title correctly
About your work history.
Most employers understand that few people stay at the same job from graduation to retirement. However a resume that shows at a dozen different companies over ten years is not very impressive. In fact, employers interpret it to mean that you get tired of jobs quickly, or your employer gets tired of you! They like to see applicatns that have the tenacity and motivation to stay and work their way up that infamous ladder.
Too much junk information.
Refrain from including irrelevant information about your marital status, the number of children you have, and what your religion you practice. The interest is in your work history, awards, and experience, so leave the rest to your match.com profile.
Your resume is a chance for you to be on your best behavior on a piece of paper. It’s the first glimpse into your personality and your achievements, so make sure your resume reflects the true you— polished, interesting, relevant, and free from resume faux pas!