Getting Past the Resume Screening
You might have sent dozens of applications to different companies, but a few or none replied. With companies receiving multiple applications for a single position, understanding how to make your resume stand out is essential.
Your resume is the first thing a recruiter will see, and a one-size-fits-all resume is less likely to catch a recruiter’s eye. Here are some essential tips for getting past the resume screening stage to craft a resume that stands out and gets you noticed.
Use a neat and professional-looking format.
Using a clean format keeps your resume clear and organised. It enhances readability, makes a good first impression, and demonstrates professionalism. By keeping your resume neat, you decrease the likelihood of being overlooked by recruiters.
DO:
- Use a simple layout: Use a professional layout with clear headings and bullet points.
- Use standard fonts: Stick to simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
Write a strong resume summary or career profile.
Your resume summary is the first thing a recruiter scans through. This is a brief statement at the top of your resume. Make it count by concisely summarising your skills, experiences, and goals.
DO:
- Be specific: Highlight your most significant achievements and relevant experience.
- Add a personal touch: Add a touch of personality to stand out from generic summaries.
- Tailor fit your application: Customise your summary for each application to reflect why you’re a perfect fit for the role.
Quantify your achievements.
Quantified achievements stand out and grab the reader’s attention. Specific metrics can differentiate you from other candidates in a sea of resumes, and recruiters will easily see concrete evidence of your accomplishments.
DO:
- Use numbers: Include specific metrics, such as “increased growth by 10%,” “managed a team of 5,” or “reduced costs by 15%.”
- Show impact: Instead of vague statements, focus on the results of your actions rather than just listing tasks.
Include relevant skills.
Include a dedicated skills section that lists relevant competencies. List skills relevant to the job you’re applying for, using the job description as a guide.
DO:
- Balance skills: Include hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal abilities).
- Highlight crucial skills: List the most important skills first, followed by skills that are still useful but not required.
- Categorize: Categorising your skills shows the variety of expertise you have and each of the categories you put can also be broken down into several categories.
Make sure to proofread.
A resume with typos and grammatical errors can turn off a recruiter, and your resume may immediately be turned down. Make sure that your resume not only looks professionally crafted but is also written error-free.
DO:
- Proofread multiple times: Consider having a friend or professional proofread it. If not, you can use only tools like Grammarly to help you out. Read your resume out loud to catch missed errors.
- Check for errors: Ensure consistent formatting, such as font size, bullet points, and alignment. Also, check for typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies.
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