Create Your Resume With a 5-Star Approach

Yes, it is as valuable as people say.

There is a high sense of importance in the way you write and present your resume. Keep in mind that both applicant tracking systems and recruiters are receiving hundreds of resumes daily. The better you format, write, and present your resume, the better your chances to receive feedback.

As a recruiter, I do my best with reviewing resumes, even if they’re not comfortable to look at. But trust me, not everyone takes the time, if it doesn’t catch their eye in a glance, they could dismiss it.

I want to share with you the top 5 practices I’ve seen through the years that make the best resumes:

 

  1. Two words: Simple and Clear:

  • Simplicity: Use a clean and simple layout; try to stay away from colored backgrounds or hard to read fonts. If you are not applying for a design role, avoid pictures or graphics.
  • Clarity: Make sure your headings are standing out. In those sections, you can use bold type and capital letters, and, if you feel like it, you can use a different color (try to stay within the blues and grays).

 

  1. Objective is out. Statement Summary is in:

  • An objective is about what you want. A statement summary is about what you can bring to the table.
  • Think of it as your “elevator pitch”: this is your chance to say what you are and why you are the right candidate for the organization.

 

  1. All about your SKILLS:

  • Make it a point to have a section to put your skills on.
  • Keywords will play a significant role here. This area is where you talk about software, programs, methods, and do not miss your soft skills!!
  • Match the requirements of the job you’re applying to. If you possess skills listed in the job description, they should be on your resume.

 

  1. Be CONCISE:

  • Use a two to three sentences paragraph to describe the objective of the role itself.
  • Use bullets to list your main responsibilities and accomplishments; use strong action verbs to start each bullet.

 

  1. Be LOUD with your Accomplishments:

  • Wherever possible, add numbers and results to show the impact you’ve had in a given role.
  • If you are not in Sales (or sales related role) you can talk about process improvements, project deliverables, efficiencies implemented, reduce times in tasks, etc.

 

Some additional helpful tips

Tailor your resume for every job.

Does it sound like a lot? Maybe. But the truth is that most companies are using sophisticated applicant tracking systems to screen candidates, and those are designed with scoring systems. The more your resume wording matches the skills on the job description, the better your chances for your resume to land in the Hiring Manager’s hand.

Proofread Your Resume 

Ask a friend to help you with this. Remember the saying “four eyes are better than two”? It is a fact. You can also use tools such as your Spelling and Grammar inside of MS Word, or Grammarly, or any other that can help you make sure you don’t have typos or grammar errors.

 

Last thought…

Make the time to do this right, without distractions. If you take this approach seriously, it will be a lot easier when it comes time to update or adjust – I promise.

 

Your next amazing opportunity could be at your fingertips!

 

About the Author

Marian Meléndez, Professional Recruiter for Link Staffing, is on a mission to match the right people to the right positions with the right companies. With her extensive experience in the employment field, she is a trusted source for recruiting advice for both job seekers and fellow recruiters.

 

Want to learn more about Link Staffing and how we can help you?

Contact us, or give us a call at 1-888-929-LINK.