Over the past several months I have had friends and family members ask for assistance on putting together a resume. Since there are so many conflicting recommendations out there, I wanted to put my suggestions together for you. When applying for a job, this may be your only chance to make a good first impression, so having the right information in the right spot is critical. Here are some tips that will help your resume stand out.
Resume Length
Before I get into the heart of things, I do want to address one area that everyone has questions about – how long should a resume be? Despite what you may read or hear, there are no real rules on the length a resume should be. Why? Because recruiters, human resource professionals, hiring managers, etc., all have different preferences, and you don’t know who will be reading it. With that being said, it doesn’t mean you should start sending out four-page resumes; generally speaking, you usually need to limit yourself to a maximum of two, or three pages depending on the extent of the experience level. But don’t feel you have to use two or three pages if one will do. Conversely, don’t cut the meat out of your resume simply to make it conform to the “one-page standard.”
Resume summary / objective
The summary or objective is a personal preference. If you decide to use a summary statement or objective, remember that it is in the most valuable spot, front and center. A lot of job-seekers use this section on self-descriptors, such as “great communicator,” “creative,” and “results-driven,” but instead of these overused self-descriptors, use this section to provide a brief detail on your accomplishments. This is your chance to say, “I am more valuable than others.” Here is just one example, “Tier 1 Automotive Plant Manager with over 8 years’ experience managing union and non-union employees, decreasing plant spending by over $2 million and increasing production by 30%.” As a recruiter, I see this and think, “Wow! This is fantastic, I wonder what he could do for our clients!”
After the summary section, add relevant education, credentials, and certifications. Some people want to put their education and certifications at the end of the resume and that is acceptable, as well. Additionally, in the name of full disclosure, it is important to place graduation dates on the resume, and include GPA’s if above a 3.0 to highlight the successful collegiate performance.
Job Experience
Finally, you will add your job experience in a chronological format. This is where you want to highlight the accomplishments of your roles. Try to avoid regurgitating your job description, but utilize action verbs that stress the accomplishments that you’ve made while living up to that description. Describe the ways you’ve excelled in your profession and/or have gone above and beyond in your role. In addition, it is always nice to provide hard numbers. Numbers don’t lie, and it will give recruiters or hiring managers an idea how you might fit into the organization, for example, “Streamlined interface and reduced code built by 45%; increase product search 20x faster” or “Improved occupancy from 89% to 100% with a waiting list in less than 6 months.” You want to highlight accomplishments that are outlined in the position you are applying to. You don’t want the hiring managers or recruiters to have to sift through your entire resume to find specific skills. Each opportunity is a new position, meaning, not every role you apply to with the job title of “Marketing Manager” has the exact same description. You will need to make edits or tweaks to your resume to match each role. You may need to highlight accomplishments in sales for one job, and more management accomplishments in another role.
To wrap up, know that everyone hiring has their own taste in what they like to see on a resume. You can read hundreds of articles out there and everyone will say something a little different. These may just be “my” tips, but after reading hundreds of resumes per day you pick up on resumes that stand out.
iMPact Business Group is a staffing agency specializing in Information Technology, Engineering, Finance/Accounting, and Business Administration/Process positions. To connect with one of our professional recruiters, view our job board for all available positions, or submit your resume for consideration here. Click here to learn more about our available work from home opportunities and to submit your resume for consideration.
