A CV or curriculum vitae is a summary of your professional experience, qualifications, and skills. The purpose of your resume document is to have a positive impact on the reader. This also encourages them to contact you regarding employment opportunities.
However, studies have shown that, on average, recruiters spend only seven seconds reviewing a CV. After that, they decide whether a candidate is suitable for the job. First impressions are therefore crucial for success. We are presenting here some simple yet effective ways to make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Get off to a good start
Start with a summary of your skills and major accomplishments. This will grab the recruiter and grab their attention from the start. This personal profile is an important part of your resume. This tells the recruiter exactly who you are, so you want to make a good impression.
Emphasize accomplishments rather than responsibilities
Instead of just listing your past responsibilities, make your resume stand out by emphasizing your accomplishments. For instance, use quantifiable data to highlight your achievements. So, for example, instead of saying “I helped increase social media engagement for company X,” write “I increased social media engagement by 50% for company X ”.
Edit for the position you want
Answer directly to the job description. Explain exactly why you are the candidate for the position. You can do this by relating your results to the items on the job. Employers want candidates to understand the position they’re applying for and the more they can prove it. This will make your resume will stand out.
Highlight changes and growth
In your CV, you should focus on your personal development. Show how you have grown and changed in your roles and the accomplishments you have made. This will show the recruiter that you have learned a lot from your past positions and that you are committed to learning and developing your skills.
This means you are logged in
Whether you are in college or in previous positions, you will have met a number of different people. Make sure this happens. Networking shows that you have strong communication skills and this is something that employers value very much.
Show your knowledge of the industry in CV
Knowledge of the industry you are applying for will show the recruiter that you have the ability to keep up with trends. You will be much more attractive to employers if you can demonstrate knowledge of the industry, so make sure you are on top of all the industry news and changes.
Use powerful words in CV
Using powerful words will highlight your results and give your resume extra impact. Include words like adaptable, innovative, implemented, and achieved for each of your roles and follow up with impressive results or accomplishments that demonstrate what you have delivered.
Creating the perfect resume can take a long time, but this is your opportunity to showcase your accomplishments and skills to the employer. The more you study the job description and industry, the better equipped you will be to make your CV stand out.
