The Pongo Blog
"How Do I Make My Resume Stand Out?"
February 11, 2010 (2:45PM) by Brianna Raymond, CPRW
Last week, I wrote a blog post asking you to voice any questions that stump you in your job search. The questions are great (and yes, I still have several to answer... don't worry, I'm on it!), but I noticed one seemed to be on repeat: How do I make my resume stand out?
You're worried about the job applicant-to-job posting ratio—i.e. 500 applicants to every one job. And you have every right to be concerned. As if looking for a job weren't stressful enough, now you have an insane amount of competition.
But I'm here to ease your concerns and tell you not to worry so much about the competition. Just pay close attention to what I'm going to tell you next: Target your resume. You'll automatically put yourself miles ahead of most other candidates.
Here's why: Most of your competitors will use the shotgun approach. They'll write one resume and send it to every single job opening that's even remotely related to their field of interest.
By targeting your resume to fit every job you're interested in (think: qualifications, certifications, requirements), you'll avoid the initial trash-bin toss and at least get a shot at being called for an interview. (Add a well-written, targeted cover letter, and you'll be one of maybe 10, rather than 500!)
That, my friends, is how you make your resume stand out.
Here are some links to help you write targeted resumes:
Does this help? Do you think there are other methods that help resumes stand out in this job market? Share them in a comment below!
The best way to make your resume stand out is to get to the point immediately.
A very strong and individually crafted (not canned) summary orients the reader in your skills, experience and potential so as to set the stage for what you assert in your employment history.
Use bulleted statements that really grab the reader and voice your most valuable assets (experience, qualities).
Then they can relax and enjoy the professional history as a statement of the places you've been, how you've fit into the larger picture, and what you brought to each position that demonstrates your unique value.
Brevity, clarity, value. It's all in the telling.
Donna Richards Crystal Expressions www.ResumeWonder.com
Posted by: Donna Richards | February 17, 2010 at 4:13 PM | Quote This Comment
I want to know how to write an resume, for my second new job in the field I'm going into with an Associate degree, but I'm still gonig college right now. Oh!!! my major is Criminal Justices that I'm study in college.I was looking for work in that field or closed to it. That will help me. Maybe I can work in the courts system or an court clerk in that field of Criminal Justices.
Posted by: Andrea Mathis | March 05, 2010 at 4:44 PM | Quote This Comment
making your resume standout is an invaluable asset in such a competitive job market. I have found that aggresively marketing the individual and highlighting them as an INDIVIDUAL has proven succesful.
Posted by: Mike | March 11, 2010 at 11:30 PM | Quote This Comment
One of the most important factors to a successful resume is CORRECT SPELLING. I've done the hiring at alot of places and I can tell you 1st hand that resume's with errors were filed under G. (The garbage) Check, double check and then check again. Or have someone else look it over for errors.
Posted by: TDOG | June 03, 2010 at 9:41 PM | Quote This Comment
TDOG, you are 100% right that spelling is critical on a resume, but a comment on a blog is not held to the same standards as a resume.
That's why we won't take any points off for your two typos (alot and resume's)...
Posted by: Just saying... | June 04, 2010 at 9:57 AM | Quote This Comment
So I have been reading and reading about creating my resume and one thing that stands out in my mind is that it shouldn't be too long, especially if I have been in the industry for about 3 years now. So I tried to shrink it to 1 page with a lot of keywords and accomplishments in it, but it still won't fit in one page. A friend of mine suggested that I put the most valuable accomplishments on the first page and then create an addendum with all of my accomplishments and qualifications that relate to the job. My question is whether this is a good practice or not? Even with an addendum my resume is still 1 1/2 page long and then 1 more additional page addendum. Thank you for your help!
Posted by: Veronika | August 02, 2010 at 5:01 PM | Quote This Comment