How To Make Your Resume More Impressive To Recruiters

How To Make Your Resume More Impressive To Recruiters

Standing out from other job candidates in the hiring process often comes down to having a great resume. If you want to make your resume legitimately more impressive to recruiters, then I’m going to teach you a technique that will help you do just that.

Quantify Your Work Experience!

@j.t.odonnell How To Make Your Resume More Impressive To Recruiters 👍👍👍👍👍😀 there’s one technique I’ve been teaching as a career coach for over 20 years to help people make their resumes more impressive to recruiters. and that is to quantify their results and use numbers. numbers are the easiest thing to read and absorb on a resume and when you put your numbers on there you can help a recruiter better understand the depth of your experience. in this video I walk you through examples of how you should Circle every now and every verb on your resume and use that as your guideline for quantifying. if you’re not sure what the numbers are conservatively guesstimate. just make sure you go lower than what you think they were so that you can back it up. the reality is recruiters are looking to understand if you’re a match for the job and when they have numbers to back it up it’s easier for them to go to the hiring manager to prove you are the candidate that should be considered. in short you can make yourself more impressive with this very simple technique. and thanks to tiktok I now have been able to put together the 25 most common resume and Linkedin questions I get asked as a career coach and all the answers are right here in one place for you to access them. I hope this helps you set up your resume and Linkedin profile so you can stand out and get the interviews you deserve! #resume #resumetips #resumeadvice #resumehelp #linkedin #jobsearch #careercoachontiktok #careerhelp #careeradvice #howtofindajob #linkedinprofile #linkedintips ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

When you think about your resume, you will hear recruiters talk about how they want you to quantify your experience. That simply means you should add numbers to your experience to help them quickly understand the depth of your expertise.

Here’s an example…

Let’s say you worked in digital marketing and you have a bullet point in your resume that says, “Worked on digital marketing projects that resulted in an increase in revenues.” That doesn’t tell recruiters any valuable information. But if you were to say, “Worked on 20+ digital marketing projects that resulted in a 250% increase in revenues,” instead, the depth is there.

It’s also important to note that numbers are the easiest thing to read on a resume. And recruiters are skimmers. They’re going to skim through your resume quickly, but the numbers can stop them dead in their tracks.

Having trouble quantifying your work experience? Follow these tips:

  • Circle every noun and every verb on your resume.
  • For each noun and verb, ask yourself:
    • How many?
    • How much?
    • How often?
    • What percentage?
  • Focus on profit/revenue increases, cost savings, time savings, etc.

By following these tips, you will quickly find that you can quantify your experience and add numbers to any bullet point on your resume. I challenge you to try this in your job search for an impressive resume. I’ve had so many people come to me and say, “There’s nothing that you can quantify about me or my experience,” and I’ve been able to quantify them every single time.

Here’s another example…

A receptionist came to me and said, “Yeah, I just work the phones really well.” So I asked her, “How big is your company? How big is the phone line system? How many phone calls do you field a day?”

This was her response: “I work at a 300-person company where I field over 200 phone calls a day on a 12-line phone system.”

That is exactly what recruiters want to see when they say you should quantify your experience.

We all have numbers. Even if you don’t know the exact numbers, you can make a conservative guess so that you feel confident you’re giving accurate information.

By quantifying your experience, you’ll create a resume that is more impressive to recruiters, and you’ll be sure to stand out from the other job candidates in the hiring process.

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4 Phrases You Should Never Have On Your Resume

4 Phrases You Should Never Have On Your Resume

Sometimes the reason your resume gets dismissed by employers has nothing to do with your experience and skills. It simply could come down to having phrases that turn employers off.

On top of avoiding overused buzzwords on your resume like “creative,” “innovative,” “visionary,” “team player,” “motivated,” “highly skilled,” “hard worker,” “passionate,” and “driven”—that are really blank statements that don’t demonstrate anything—you want to also avoid certain phrases on your resume at all costs.

Here are some of the top phrases to avoid on your resume:

“Job Duties”

“Job duties” essentially says to the employer that these are my responsibilities on the job. Well, that’s fine if the only one you need to impress is the applicant tracking system (ATS) looking for matches in the job description.

The problem with including this phrase on your resume is it doesn’t inform the hiring manager how well you perform on the job—and they ultimately have the final say as to whether your resume is a keeper or not.

A more effective phrase to use is “accomplishments” to describe your work experience. You want to inform the employer of what you did on the job and prove that what you did produced valuable results. You always need to quantify your accomplishments on your resume. The first step in quantifying your accomplishments on your resume is getting rid of the phrase “job duties.”

“Transferable Skills”

Employer tossing resume with the phrase "transferable skills"

While professional resume writers speak of highlighting “transferable skills” on your resume when you’re looking to make a career change or when you don’t have the exact work experience the employer may be looking for, the specific term should be avoided on the resume.

When hiring managers and recruiters see “transferable skills” on a resume, it basically sends the message “I don’t have the exact experience or hard skills you’re looking for, but…”

A more effective phrase to use is “skills” or “skill set” or even “experience summary” (see below). It doesn’t bring attention to the fact that you aren’t a direct match with what they are looking for, but goes straight to the point of what you can offer that is of value to them.

“Objective Statement”

A hiring manager holds a resume with an objective statement

Traditionally, the objective statement takes a prime spot at the top of the resume detailing what you, the job seeker, are looking for—but that’s no way to compete in today’s job market. The opening of your resume needs to make a bold statement informing the employer what you can do for them.

Replace an objective statement with an experience summary, which is a list of 6-8 hard or transferable skills needed for the specific job you’re applying for. It’ll help you stand out to employers within seconds of them reviewing your resume.

“References Available Upon Request”

A hiring manager goes through job applications with outdated phrases you should never include on resumes

You can assume all employers will go through a reference check before they hire you. Including this phrase on your resume is simply a waste of space and makes your resume come across as outdated since it was common practice to include it at the end of the resume years ago before ATS changed the landscape of the job search process.

Today’s job seekers need a well-polished resume to compete. Avoiding overused buzzwords and phrases that say nothing or that may imply something negative will help keep you in the running.

We know today’s hiring managers get more applicants than needed for each job opening, so don’t let bad phrases be the cause for them turning away your resume!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

4 Phrases You Should Never Have On Your Resume

3 Ways To Get Your Resume Past The ATS

If you’re submitting your resume through a job board or company website, there’s a good chance your resume is being run through an applicant tracking system (ATS), the software many of today’s employers use to read and rank resumes they receive in the hiring process.

The higher the ranking, the greater the chance your resume will be seen by a pair of human eyes. Those that don’t get a high rank fall into a black hole. So the question is, “How can I ensure my resume gets past the applicant tracking system?”

Here are some basic tips:

1. Make Sure The ATS Can Read Your Resume

Man on laptop formats his resume to get it past the ATS

Have your resume saved in the right format. Not every ATS can read documents in .doc or .docx format. So, to be on the safe side, always submit your resume as a PDF. Also, in the event your resume does get past the ATS, you want to make sure the formatting stays the same. The best way to do that is by utilizing the PDF option.

Another thing to remember is to not use tables and text boxes. The ATS can’t read them, so they will only hurt your chances of moving on in the hiring process.

2. Help The ATS Identify Sections And Information

Woman on laptop writes and formats her resume to get it past the ATS

The ATS looks for keywords to help identify sections of the resume, so make sure each section of your resume is clearly labeled and uses consistent formatting.

Those sections you should focus on include your headline, your experience summary, your work history, your education, and any additional experience.

3. List The Most Appropriate Keywords

The exact list of keywords an employer enters into the ATS varies, but you can figure out appropriate keywords by looking at the job description. You will notice certain keywords come up over and over again. There may also be certain terminology or lingo that defines the work of your profession. Utilize those keywords in context on your resume.

If you’re going to use the “/” between keywords, add a space before and after it. For example, the ATS may not see “Web Design/Graphic Design” as keyword matches, but it will when it reads “Web Design / Graphic Design.”

In this digital world, applicant tracking systems have made job seeking more difficult, so you need to make sure your resume gets through this important filter. We hope these three tips help you write and format your resume to get it past the ATS.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

4 Phrases You Should Never Have On Your Resume

4 Ways To Turn Resume Fluff Into Marketable Facts

Your resume is the most important document to advance your career. And given employers will only scan it for about 7-10 seconds, you need to make sure you scream, “Here’s what I can do for you!”

There’s a difference between a resume that only showcases your personality and characteristics and one that demonstrates specific achievements and accomplishments. Unfortunately, too many resumes are filled with fluff statements anyone can say and they don’t really distinguish you as a top candidate.

A resume filled with terms such as “visionary” (how many of these do you really know?), “motivated,” “team player,” “problem solver,” “results oriented,” “dynamic,” and many other phrases are examples of overused words.

To avoid creating a resume complete with fluff, try to turn to marketable facts and quantifiable accomplishments.

1. Don’t Rely On Terms That Describe Character (Soft Skills)

Replace the use of terms that describe character with specific content to demonstrate how you accomplished or achieved something. Shed some light on your method of execution. A resume should not include soft skills.

For instance, to show you were “results oriented,” indicate on your resume how you increased sales in your department by XY percent within a year or increased the number of attendees to an annual conference by XY percent compared to previous years.

If you don’t actually have numbers, you can approximate percentages: “Introduced new procedures that slashed cycle times approximately 20%.”

These are examples of quantifiable accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to quantify your results on the job and prove you’re the best fit for the position.

2. Use Numbers And Symbols

Man thinks about quantifying his accomplishments on his resume instead of adding fluff

Numbers and symbols quickly jump out at employers so use them whenever you can. Resumes have their own special rules and always show all numbers as digits as they catch the eye. Percentages are always best as they show the impact of your efforts.

For example, saying “increased sales $750,000 over prior year” is nice but to some companies that is petty cash and your company might not like your giving out their private information. It’s better to say, “Increased sales 43% over prior year.”

Simply avoid words that aren’t specific, such as “many,” “few,” and “several.”

3. Don’t List Responsibilities Of Your Previous Jobs; Demonstrate Outcomes

Professional woman on laptop writes about outcomes and accomplishments on her resume

The problem with writing responsibilities you held on the job is it doesn’t tell an employer how successful you were at executing your plans. An employer only cares about how good you did your job and how what you did can apply to the job they are offering.

Rather than list responsibilities, demonstrate your performance.

  • Are you the most senior member of your team?
  • Do people turn to you for the more challenging issues?
  • Is your productivity level higher than your peers?
  • Do you resolve issues on the first call versus others needing 2-3 calls?
  • Is your level of accuracy and the quality of your work at the highest level?
  • Have you demonstrated the ability to meet aggressive deadlines?

Statements like “consistently recognized for delivering quality results at less cost than budgeted” showcases your effectiveness, especially when you back that statement up with approximate numbers.

4. Only Detail Specialized Technical Skills

Professional man on laptop adds technical skills to his resume instead of fluff

Today’s employers expect candidates to know basic computer skills and programs, so only list specialized technical skills that are relevant to the job. An employer does not need to see you know programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

Also, when you do list any technical skill, tell an employer how well you know the specific program by detailing what you may have created or done with it. Simply listing a specific program will not help an employer understand how well you know it or what your capabilities are.

Fill your resume with performance statements instead of fluff and you will see a dramatic improvement in your job search results.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Common Grammar Rules For Resumes

Common Grammar Rules For Resumes

The simple purpose of the resume is to get you noticed and have employers contact you for an interview. To achieve this, resumes will typically break some common grammar rules.

For example, all sentences are written like headlines without pronouns. Employers won’t be asking whose resume it is when your name is already on it, front and center. It is, therefore, unnecessary to include pronouns like “I” or “my” anywhere on your resume.

Resumes need to read like quick, bite-sized bits of information. Adding pronouns can make the information difficult to digest because there is unnecessary clutter around the facts the hiring manager wants to know. For instance, a resume including pronouns would read something like this:

I launched the product to a new international market. My efforts resulted in the company’s sales revenue doubling within 2 years.

A more effective approach would read:

Launched product to new international market, doubling company’s sales revenue within 2 years.

See how the latter version says the same thing but gets to the point quicker? Also, notice how we did not spell out “two” because numbers draw the eye to your sentence.

Here are some common grammar rules around resume writing:

6 Common Grammar Rules To Follow In Your Resume

1. Forget about “I.”

There is no need to use “I” anywhere in your resume. For bullet points, just start with an action verb like “Delivered,” “Achieved,” “Produced,” etc. Follow these action verbs with quantifiable accomplishments and you’ll stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.

2. Keep your sentences in the first person.

Hiring managers will cringe if they see that your resume is written in the third person. It’s even worse if you switch up points of view halfway through your resume. “Excel in developing comprehensive financial models,” is correct (first person) whereas “Excels in developing comprehensive financial models,” is not correct (third person). For all non-current positions, you can use the past tense so you won’t have to worry about using the wrong point of view.

3. Keep sentences short.

Fragments are encouraged. Long, descriptive sentences and bulky paragraphs are not going to impress recruiters and hiring managers. Why make it harder for them to figure out what kind of value you provide?

4. Use bullet points for achievements so they are noticed.

Break down information into easily digestible bits. Big blocks of text will likely get skimmed or overlooked entirely. Short bullet points where you quantify your work experience (using numbers) will definitely get you noticed by all the right people.

5. Take out fluff.

All you need is simple language. Do not use flowery phrases that would not come up in normal conversation. Any kind of resume fluff will hurt your chances of getting a call from an employer. Hiring managers will see right through it. When it comes to your resume, less is more.

6. Show the most important achievement first, starting with the quantifiable accomplishment.

For example, “Reduced costs 40% by bringing services in house.” It’s all about grabbing and keeping attention. If you can grab and keep a hiring manager’s attention while they’re reviewing your resume, you’ve already gotten much farther in the hiring process than most of the other job candidates.

Remember that employers generally scan your resume for eight seconds to do the preliminary screening that puts you in the yes, no, or maybe pile, so follow the rules above for the best results!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

6 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting A Response

6 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting A Response

It can be hard to ascertain if it’s your resume, the job market, or who knows what else when you’re job hunting and your phone just isn’t ringing. Your mind begins to wander as you anxiously await an employer’s call or email.

Many job seekers have contacted us and said, “I think it’s my resume, but I’m not sure.” After reviewing their documents, we find ourselves telling them, “Yes, it’s your resume,” 99% of the time.
So, how do you know if it’s really your resume or if it’s something else?

Take a look at these six mistakes job seekers make on their resumes, and if one or more of them can be found on yours, that’s probably why your resume isn’t getting a response.

1. It Still Has An Objective Statement

An objective statement is a section of a resume that expresses your goal of securing a future position. What this statement fails to do, though, is substantiate your fit for the job opening—or articulate the value you offer to the employer should they choose you over another candidate.

Ditch the objective statement and utilize a personal branding statement and experience summary instead. An experience summary is a list of skills you have that are needed for the job you’re applying for. They’re hard skills and transferable skills, not soft skills.

By having an objective statement on your resume, you’re missing out on the opportunity to start proving your value to the employer within the first few seconds they glance at your resume, which is exactly the purpose of a personal branding statement and experience summary.

2. It Lacks Any Form Of Personal Branding

Hiring managers read a job applicant's resume during an interview

When employers read a resume, they need to see what attributes you bring to the position. It helps them differentiate between you and other viable candidates. Are you deadline-driven and customer-focused? These are important to employers and how they operate business. What is it that’s important to the employer from whom you’re seeking to obtain employment? And how do your expertise and experience correlate to their greatest need?

Personal branding is about how you market yourself to the potential employer. They have a need to fill, and you have to figure out how who you are and what you offer meet that need—then effectively communicate that to the employer. If you can’t meet a need, then they won’t see the value in choosing you over another candidate who does.

3. It’s Fluffy

Job seeker on laptop works on his resume

Your career summary and work history are full of fluff and filler words that could apply to every job seeker on the market. Here’s an example of what we mean:

Dynamic, results-focused IT specialist with broad-based expertise in project oversight, systems implementation, process improvements, and integrating cutting-edge technology that exceeds expectations. Proven ability to quickly analyze key business drivers and work directly with internal/external staff, leveraging a team-centered effort that increases profitability.

Sure, it might sound good, but it hasn’t told us anything specific about who this candidate is, their experience/expertise, and what they offer the employer. It would be better to address how many projects the candidate has overseen, which processes they improved, the outcome of the improvement, and how the cutting-edge technology they integrated exceeded expectations. But just saying they exceed expectations is vague; tell us which expectations were exceeded and by how much.

4. Skills & Accomplishments Are Not Highlighted

Job candidate gets nervous when the hiring manager reads her resume during an interview

The top third of your resume is the most important section when the hiring manager is giving it his or her initial scan. This is your prime opportunity to market your skills and achievements. Remember the experience summary we mentioned above? That’s where you’ll write the skills you possess that are needed to succeed in this particular job.

Highlighting your skills in the experience summary will draw the hiring manager in and entice them to keep reading. Then, as their eyes move down your resume, they’ll see all of your accomplishments underneath your work history. What career successes are you most proud of that correlate to the job you’re applying for?

5. Duties And Responsibilities Have Taken Over

Woman on laptop revises her resume while job hunting

Bullet points that only share basic duties and responsibilities fall short every time. Maximize the space on your resume by using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result).

Talk about the challenges you faced, how you addressed them, and what the outcomes were. This makes the information contained within your resume much more impactful.

6. Metrics, Facts, And Figures Are Nowhere To Be Found

Hiring manager confused by the job candidate's resume during an interview

Give the employer something to remember you by. Don’t just tell them you reduced costs. State a percentage or dollar amount. Manage projects or clients? Put a number to it. Ask yourself questions like how much, how many, and for how long? This is how you quantify your work experience on your resume. It’s the secret to getting a call from an employer.

Asking yourself questions like the ones above leads to answers that help you define your successes, develop your personal brand, and market yourself more effectively to potential employers.

Review your resume with the six points above in mind. Ask yourself if your resume reflects any of the above. If it does, then use the tips and advice we’ve provided to correct the issues within your resume—and ultimately improve its response rate.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Good Hobbies & Interests To Put On A Resume In 2023

Good Hobbies & Interests To Put On A Resume In 2023

Figuring out what hobbies and interests to put on a resume can be tricky. Not only is it wise to choose some that you can relate to the job, but it’s not always clear where you should put this section in the first place! This guide will help you choose some good interests to put […]

The post Good Hobbies & Interests To Put On A Resume In 2023 appeared first on Career Sherpa.

3 Ways To Convey Quantifiable Information On A Resume

3 Ways To Convey Quantifiable Information On A Resume

The words you choose to use and how you present information on your resume can dramatically impact the results you get. As a job seeker, you have to remember that your goal with your resume is to make an immediate impact by impressing hiring managers and recruiters with something you have that they want. One of the best ways to do that is to offer quantifiable information.

Quantifiable information allows hiring managers and recruiters to measure the degree of knowledge and skills you have to offer. It is a way to inform them about what and how much you can bring to the table.

To make an immediate impact with your resume, try these methods:

1. Provide Context And Scale To Your Information

Happy woman quantifies information on her resume

When you think of quantifiable information, the immediate thought is to go to the results you’ve garnered. But on the resume, there’s more that can be quantified.

Don’t leave out the subject matter. You can talk about how many clients you managed, how many people on the team you had to oversee, or how many products you were involved in marketing across Europe. Putting a number against the subject matter can say a lot.

For example, when you say, “Managed the launch of products across Europe,” it tells a bit of information.

When you start to add in numbers like, “Formed 6 new partnerships within a year to support the marketing of 5 new products across 10 markets in Europe, which resulted in an increased of revenue by 90%,” it says a lot more.

Some other words to help you along the way include “doubled,” “tripled,” and “reduced by.” We recommend you add at least one number to each bullet point on your resume. If you can’t quantify something in that bullet point, it probably doesn’t belong on your resume.

2. Use Numbers And Figures

Job seeker on phone and laptop quantifies information on his resume

When you talk about results on your resume, you need to find a way to make it stand out. Putting it in a bullet point helps, but just as important is applying numbers and figures to the statement. When you add numbers and figures, it’s easier for the eyes looking over your resume to catch these bits of information.

For example, when you write, “Reduced time lag by eighty percent,” it’s not as easy to take notice of it.

When you show the actual numbers and figures like, “Reduced time lag by 80%,” it catches the eye much more quickly.

The general rule here is to show it when you can—don’t spell it!

3. Toss Out Fluff Words & Talk About Real Achievement

Woman on laptop writes her resume with quantifiable information

Anyone can say they’re a go-getter, strategic thinker, results-driven… yadda yadda yadda. But why should the employer believe you? What proof do you have to back up those statements?

The point is to prove your abilities and skills as a professional on your resume. Work with words like “on time,” “under budget,” “improved,” “saved,” and “negotiated” while also applying appropriate numbers and figures (as discussed above) to help you make your point.

It’s about time you turn that resume fluff into quantifiable information! Once you see the difference it makes in your job search, you’ll never go back to the old way of writing resumes.

Today’s hiring managers and recruiters go through enough resumes each day to know when they have a candidate who’s a real winner and one that’s simply all talk on the resume.

When you put your experience in context and scale the subject matter, as well as apply numbers and figures with some of the suggested power words, your resume will come across with impact and results hiring managers and recruiters can’t deny as impressive.

Need more help with your resume?

Join our community to learn how to write an effective resume and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Why Your Resume Will NOT Get You The Job

Why Your Resume Will NOT Get You The Job

If you’re like most job seekers, you probably think that your resume has the power to get you the job. It can make or break a hiring manager’s decision to hire you. Well, that’s actually not true.

I need to make this clear to all of you job seekers out there: your resume is not going to get you the job.

Here’s why…

Your Resume Will Get You The Interview (NOT The Job)

@j.t.odonnell Your #resume will NEVER, EVER get you the job. Here is why… #resumetips #jobsearch #careerhelp #careertok #jobtok #job #jobtips #jobs #careeradvice #career #recruiter #careers ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

The resume’s purpose is to get you the interview. Its purpose is to get past the ATS using the correct keywords, and then it needs to give the hiring manager just enough information to want to call you to learn more about your skills and experience.

Unfortunately, so many job seekers are agonizing over their resumes, spending weeks and months on them as time goes on and they’ve yet to find a job. Or worse, spending hundreds of dollars on a resume writer who will write them an overdone, stuffy, wordy, subjective resume that recruiters do not want.

The truth is, you don’t need to spend that much time or money on your resume.

Today, recruiters want a skimmable resume—a six-second resume that they can quickly interpret to decide if they should call you. And given the fact that less than 3% of people who apply online ever hear back, the more you can create a skimmable resume that gets them to want to call you, the better.

But the most important thing I need you to understand about your resume is to stop making it the main focus of your job search. Your time will be far better spent on updating a LinkedIn profile and learning how to connect with employers so you can get around the ATS.

Please stop thinking your resume is the thing that’s going to get you the job because it won’t. It just needs to get you the interview.

Need more help with your resume?

Sign up for my FREE Resume & LinkedIn Bootcamp today to learn how to update your resume and LinkedIn profile the way recruiters want!

7 Things That May Surprise You About The Job Search Process

7 Things That May Surprise You About The Job Search Process

Unless you’ve been really lucky, you’ve probably discovered this simple fact about the job search process: it’s not easy.

The process is littered with ups and downs, small victories, and brutal defeats. By the time you achieve the ultimate victory—landing a great job—you’re both physically and emotionally exhausted.

As difficult as the job search process may be, the lessons that you learn from it will come in handy if you ever find yourself on the job market again. Some of those lessons may actually catch you by surprise.

We’ll make the job search process a little easier for you (or at least mentally prepare you) and tackle some of those surprises now.

Wow! There Are Many Ways To Find A Job

Wow is right.

In a simpler time, a long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away), one would just read the classifieds section of the newspaper to see what was available for employment.

Today, while the classifieds still exist (they’re online), there are a large number of online job websites that specialize in job searches from all over the country and world.

Websites like Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Craigslist are some of the most well-known job boards but there are many others, including some that may be tailored for individual states, regions, and professions.

The number of choices can be very overwhelming, especially if you haven’t been involved in a job search recently.

The best thing to do is explore multiple websites to see which ones align best with your needs. Also, seek counsel from friends and colleagues who have been through the process to hear about their experiences with the various websites.

While these websites are a good resource for seeing what’s available for jobs, it’s important to not over-rely on them. If you’ve identified some companies you want to work for, conduct a proactive job search and make personal connections via networking. Don’t rely solely on the online job board to express interest and submit your application.

There Are A Lot Of Ways To Write A Resume

Job seeker on laptop struggles to write his resume

You haven’t updated your resume in a while and want to see what the latest formats look like, so you type “resume format” or “resume template” into your online search engine. All of a sudden, you’re presented with another overwhelming amount of choices.

Seeking resume guidance online is like trying to self-diagnose yourself by using a medical website—you sometimes get more than you bargained for.

When working on your resume, it’s important to initially focus more on the content, which will eventually allow the format to fall into place.

It’s also important to realize that there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” resume, as each resume should be tailored to the job for which you’re applying. You want to make sure that your relevant skills and accomplishments that would translate to this new job are at the top of the resume. A recruiter should be able to see these transferable skills within the first six seconds of reviewing your resume.

Work It Daily has multiple resume resources, including a resume review by our career coaches.

The Thought Of Personal Branding May Make You Panic

Professional woman with a strong personal brand

Resumes and cover letters are not enough anymore. At Work It Daily, we like to say that you’re a “business-of-one,” and personal branding is a big part of that.

Personal branding may seem overwhelming if you’ve never thought about it before, but it’s really not that bad. Think back to when you were preparing your resume. Think about what type of career you’re seeking and think about the type of skills that you have that translate to that industry. Think about what really makes you stand out.

Once you’ve determined this, share it with the world. Use LinkedIn and social media to your advantage.

Your goal is to let people know what you’re up to professionally at all times. That way your professional network will be aware of what your personal brand is, which could turn into referrals whenever you’re on the job market.

If you worry that you lack a personal branding strategy, don’t panic. Take your time, put some thought into it, and consult with colleagues and mentors. Everyone has a personal brand; it’s just a matter of putting everything together and executing it.

There’s More Than One Way To Do A Job Interview

Job seeker takes part in a video interview

Phone, video, and group interviews are all becoming more common. No matter what type of interview you’re a part of, the key is always preparation.

Treat every interview the same. Prepare answers to all the common interview questions the interviewer could ask and do your research on the company before the interview. Prepare questions for the interviewer so they know you’re interested and have done your research. Also, be sure to dress professionally (more on that in a minute).

Most people are familiar with the in-person interview and, while it can be nerve-racking, it’s also familiar. There’s comfort in familiarity. It’s those types of interviews you’re not as familiar with that can be the most intimidating to prepare for.

Of all these different types of interviews, you’ll most likely experience the phone interview, where you’re interviewing just for the chance to be invited to an in-person interview. That in itself is a lot of pressure, but when you’re doing a phone interview you also lose the advantage of certain social cues.

During an in-person interview, you’re able to make eye contact with the interviewer and are better able to convey enthusiasm and emphasis. You’re also able to look at the interviewer and attempt to gauge their reactions.

Phone interviews also move a lot quicker than in-person interviews. You get less time to get your points across. Even though all interviews carry with them some level of stress, the condensed timeline and impersonal nature of the phone interview make it one of the trickiest interviews to go through.

You’ll Obsess Over What To Wear To Your In-Person Interview

Young professional wears a suit to a job interview

It’s true, you will…and that’s okay!

You want to dress for success and the interview is your chance to make a first impression. Deciding how to dress goes back to your company research. You want to determine what the company’s culture is and then dress one level above it.

For example, if the company is very casual, show up to the interview in business casual attire.

You may already have the perfect outfit or you may spend some time in front of the mirror changing outfits. It’s okay to be picky, just as long as the outfit you choose matches the company culture. Make sure your shirt is ironed and your shoes are clean.

And, if you bought new clothes for the interview, make sure to take all the tags off!

You Can Have A Great Interview And Still Not Get The Job

Interesting woman shakes hands with the hiring manager before an interview

There are times when you may know immediately that you didn’t get the job. You weren’t as prepared as you needed to be or the position just wasn’t a good fit. While no one wants to have a bad interview, sometimes it’s easier to mentally accept, particularly if you’re able to pinpoint where it went wrong and apply the lessons moving forward.

But, what if you did everything right? What if you left the interview feeling like you crushed it and that the job was in the bag, only to later learn that you didn’t get the job?

It could be that you did, in fact, have a very awesome interview, but the mistake that you made was assuming that you would automatically get the job because of it.

When employers say they had many qualified candidates apply for the job, it’s not just lip service. Chances are they had a tough choice to make and, while you gave it a good effort, there was just another candidate that was a better fit for the position.

It can be a major blow the first time this happens to you. Let it humble you but don’t let it deter you. Build on the things you did well and do an honest self-assessment and fine-tune the things that you can do better.

Make sure to thank the interviewer for the opportunity and continue to express interest in the position. There’s always a chance they could come back to you at some point in the future.

Salary Is Important But May Not Be Everything

Young professional is happy to receive his first paycheck

A lot of people change jobs to get a better salary, while many others do so because they’re not happy in their current jobs. Whatever the reason, salary still remains a crucial component. It’s important to do your research on the average salary for the type of position you’re pursuing in your geographical area.

However, as you go through the job search process, your stance on salary may change. You may like a company’s work-life balance and benefits package so much that you’re willing to take a cut in salary. There may also be cases where the demands of a job are more than anticipated and you need to up your salary requirements. Individual circumstances also play a major role in salary negotiations.

When it’s time to negotiate salary, be flexible. Don’t short-change yourself but also understand your priorities. Salary is an important part of the equation but you also need to factor in everything you’ve learned about this position during the search process to make a well-informed decision.

One thing is for certain when it comes to the job search process: you learn a lot along the way!

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10 Things To Remove From Your Resume

10 Things To Remove From Your Resume

The average amount of time a recruiter or hiring manager will spend scanning your resume is seven seconds. That’s why it’s important to have just the right kind (and amount) of information on your resume.

The phrase “less is more” has often been used for design purposes, but it can apply just as well to your resume. The point is to only keep information on your resume that is clear, simple, and that supports your personal brand. It is a balance of having just enough information to draw the interest of an employer while leaving room for you to further explain during an interview.

The more irrelevant information you add to your resume, the more it dilutes your key message. Employers today also look right through fluff words and are rather annoyed by them.

So, how can you optimize your resume and make sure it contains the precise balance of information?

Try removing these 10 things from your resume today:

1. Replace The Objective Statement On Your Resume With An Experience Summary

Employers today are not that interested in what you want. You need to tell them what you can do for them. The most effective way to achieve this is by replacing your objective statement with an experience summary.

An experience summary is a list of skills you have that are needed for the job you’re applying for. They’re hard skills and transferable skills, not soft skills. By removing that objective statement, you’re able to clearly start proving your value to the employer within the first few seconds they glance at your resume.

2. Eliminate Superfluous Or “Fluff” Words

Man reviews his resume

We can’t tell you how many resumes start with “Dynamic visionary…” We call these “fluff” statements because anyone can make them and they add no real value to your resume.

Keep your message on point and stick to the facts. If you want to express certain traits, demonstrate them with what you have achieved or accomplished. Quantify your work experience. Whatever you do, just avoid meaningless, baseless statements.

3. Edit Out Bad Grammar & Spelling Errors

Job applicant hands the hiring manager his resume

Spelling and grammar mistakes are a big turnoff for hiring managers. Triple check every headline and bullet point. Remove or reword any sentence that doesn’t flow. Don’t mix up tenses or third and first-person perspectives.

When in doubt, have a trusted friend or colleague review your resume. That way, you can be sure every spelling or grammar mistake is caught before you apply for a job.

4. List Your Primary Phone Number And Toss The Others 

Older woman removes outdated information from her resume

You want every section and piece of your resume to be simplified. Having multiple phone numbers right at the top of your resume makes it feel cluttered and disorganized even before you get to the experience section.

If you must list more than one number, make sure to specify under what conditions the other numbers should be used.

5. Remove Discriminating Information

Job seeker edits their resume

Avoid information that can lead one to discriminate against you, including age, sex, religion, marital status, and ethnicity. This includes the use of photos that should never be on a resume unless your face is an important part of your job (e.g., modeling, TV, etc.). In fact, some employers are forced to ignore your resume if it contains such information because of the chance that they may be accused of discrimination later in the process.

For seasoned professionals, age discrimination can be a very real thing. That’s why you should follow these tips on what to remove from your resume. You want to optimize your resume, not submit an outdated one.

6. Throw Out Your GPA

Man edits his resume while looking for a job

You do not need to reveal your graduating year, the institution(s) you transferred out of, or the high school you attended. You should also remove your GPA if you’ve been out of school for a while or if the number just isn’t impressive.

Keep information on your education specific to the degree received, the major completed, and the institution you attended.

7. Get Rid Of Any Irrelevant Information

Woman removes outdated and irrelevant information from her resume

Employers are not interested in achievements or abilities that are not applicable to the job. If you are in sales and you helped develop an Access database to track supplies, that’s nice but not relevant.

Also, be cautious about listing your associations or volunteer work that is irrelevant or may be in conflict with the potential employer. You can find this information while conducting research on the company.

8. Remove Technical Skills For Basic Software Programs

Young woman removes information from her resume

Most employers today expect you to be familiar with basic computer programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. So, don’t waste valuable space on your resume listing them. It’s more than okay to remove them from the document entirely.

When choosing which software programs and technologies to include on your resume, think about which ones will help you succeed in the job you’re applying for. Which ones will make you stand out from the competition?

9. Do Not Include References Unless Requested

Job seeker reviews his resume

Employers expect you to offer references when requested, which is typically during the latter part of the interview process.

A big pet peeve of recruiters is seeing “References available upon request” on the resume. Do you really know anyone who would refuse to give references?

10. Cut Back On Lengthy Content 

Hiring manager reviews a job applicant's resume during an interview

If you are a recent graduate, most employers do not expect your resume to be more than one page. However, if you have had considerable professional experience, your resume should be two to three pages long. The notion all resumes should be one page is not true, especially in this job market. Resumes need to have enough detail to support your positioning so a two- to three-page resume is acceptable. But, your resume shouldn’t be so long that it works against you.

Your resume has to have a compelling message and be easy to read, so after you have tightened up your content, format it to have a decent amount of white space.

Finding the right balance of information for your resume can make it impactful. It’s not about how long or short your resume is, or how many employers you’ve worked for, but finding the right information and words to present it in the best light to demonstrate that you have the specific experiences and skills the employer is seeking. So, keep in mind the phrase, “less is more” when writing or updating your resume.

Writing an optimized resume is no easy task. By removing these 10 things from your resume, you’ll be that much closer to landing an interview and securing your next job.

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Top 100 Most Powerful Resume Words

Top 100 Most Powerful Resume Words

In today’s job marketplace, your resume is the very central document you possess to get your job application in the fingers from the hiring manager. In case you can’t get your individual resume past the OBTAIN THE, it doesn’t matter just how much experience or how great your cover letter will be. That’s why you have to be tactical and intentional concerning the words and phrases you include in ones resume.

The particular significance of Powerful Job application Words

Man on laptop makes powerful words on the man's resume

When a hiring office manager is viewing the same kind of resume time in addition to time again (which consists of the cliché words and even phrases like “highly devoted individual” or “great group player”) you might be guaranteeing that will your resume is going to be thrown. Not only is this probably not optimized together with the right keywords, yet if you take up space using subjective statements, you’re lacking out on the opportunity to evaluate your experience , abilities, and accomplishments on the resume.

Poorly selected words and clichéd terms can destroy the eye associated with the reader. Powerful thoughts, when chosen correctly, might have the opposite effect regarding motivating and inspiring a reader.

Right here are the most effective resume words you ought to use to stay ahead of the main competition and increase your company likelihood of getting hired…

Top 100 Effective Resume Words

Woman on laptop or pc uses powerful words attached to her resume

  1. Advanced
  2. Designated
  3. Assessed
  4. Absorbed
  5. Accelerated
  6. Achieved
  7. Attracted
  8. Announced
  9. Appraised
  10. Budgeted
  11. Bolstered
  12. Balanced
  13. Boosted
  14. Bargained
  15. Benefited
  16. Beneficial
  17. Comply
  18. Critiqued
  19. Closed
  20. Collaborated
  21. Designed
  22. Assigned
  23. Demonstrated
  24. Developed
  25. Detected
  26. Effective
  27. Enhanced
  28. Excelled
  29. Exceeded
  30. Rampacked
  31. Fulfilled
  32. Financed
  33. Forecasted
  34. Developed
  35. Generated
  36. Guided
  37. Granted
  38. Assisted
  39. Hosted
  40. Implemented
  41. Investigated
  42. Improved
  43. Initiated
  44. Influenced
  45. Integrated
  46. Electricity costs
  47. Instituted
  48. Justified
  49. Listed
  50. Logged
  51. Maintained
  52. Mentored
  53. Measured
  54. Increased
  55. Negotiated
  56. Observed
  57. Operated
  58. Acquired
  59. Promoted
  60. Presented
  61. Programmed
  62. Offered
  63. Projected
  64. Qualified
  65. Quantified
  66. Cited
  67. Recommended
  68. Refine
  69. Revamp
  70. Responded
  71. Retained
  72. Recovered
  73. Reinstated
  74. Declined
  75. Sustained
  76. Skilled
  77. Saved
  78. Planned
  79. Supported
  80. Secured
  81. Simplified
  82. Tested
  83. Segmented
  84. Streamlined
  85. Strengthened
  86. Triumphed
  87. Troubleshot
  88. Taught
  89. Tutored
  90. Converted
  91. Trained
  92. Uncovered
  93. United
  94. Single
  95. Updated
  96. Upgraded
  97. Validated
  98. Seen
  99. Worldwide
  100. Witnessed

Typically the next time you’re composing your resume, be certain to include a number of the strong words above. Your job search depends on that!

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