The unemployment rate in the US is currently 7.8% but more and more jobs are being added to the economy. In October over 170,000 jobs were created and so many candidates will be writing up their resume and sending off job applications.
Whilst resume writing you’ll know that there are a number of things you should do. But there are also a number of things you shouldn’t do. With so many people applying for work and with increased competition it’s now more important than ever to make your resume stand out.
One of the first things an employer will look for is good spelling and grammar. Spelling and grammar is vital on your resume as it demonstrates to the employer that you are accurate and that you show attention to detail. If an employer receives a resume littered with spelling mistakes they are likely to think that you haven’t put much effort into the job application and therefore they will automatically feel disengaged.
As well as spelling and grammar, resume content is vital in helping you to achieve a job interview. An employer will want to read a resume that is relevant to their industry and that has key skills that fit with the job description. One of the biggest mistakes to make on a resume is lack of research. An employer needs to know that you have researched the company and the position and that you have a sound knowledge of the job requirements. Lack of research is easily detected on a resume – as your content will not be personalised to the job description and your key skills needed for the job won’t be displayed. It’s vital that you mould your resume to fit the job and that you let the employer know why you are the right candidate for the position.
Layout and design can really help to boost your job interview chances but one mistake candidates sometimes make is keeping the layout generic. If your resume is laid out the same as every other resume then the employer is unlikely to want to read yours first. Use resume samples to look at popular layouts and designs, including images and colours, and consider making yours a bit different. This can really help to boost your job chances and will help to boost the employer’s interest in your application.
Image was provided by author.
Hayley Stovold is a writer for Resume-Surgeon.com, an online resource offering career advice, a professional resume creation tool and resume templates to jobseekers.