Importance of a resume cannot be undermined. Resumes are an integral part of the job search process, and yet many candidates often overlook them.
A well-crafted resume is your chance to stand out from the competition, make a positive impression on hiring managers, and get shortlisted for your dream job interviews.
As a consultant, I have trained hundreds of professionals at all levels from executives to CXOs for crafting perfect storylines for their interviews. The first place where you can showcase that story effectively is your resume.
In this blog post, I will discuss the importance of resume writing, the benefits of having a well-written resume versus just a Linkedin profile, and finally some tips for creating a razor-sharp resume.
Importance of Resume
Resume is your marketing document
A resume is like your marketing brochure. It is the first impression that a potential employer has of you.
And so, your resume should be well-written, organised, concise, and tailored to the job you’re applying for.
Resume v/s Linkedin
Many candidates wonder if they really need a resume if they have a profile on Linkedin ?
This is like asking a question to a marketer if he/she should market on Facebook as well since they are already marketing on Google.
Listen – it’s your career you are talking about !
Every day that you delay getting into your dream job is a delayed experience and wasted money that you could have earned.
So – let’s not take any either-or questions here.
Make a resume and build a perfect Linkedin profile. Simple !
While LinkedIn is a great way to connect with employers and build relationships,
resumes are still the most important document when it comes to job applications.
Resumes are more detailed and specific than LinkedIn profiles, which means that you can provide more information about your experiences and qualifications.
Also, resumes open you up to multiple job portals unlike Linkedin.
Benefits of Having a Well-Written Resume
1. Improves Your Chances of Getting an Interview
Having a well-written resume increases your chances of getting an interview. A well-crafted resume has all the hooks that you need to attract your recruiter enough to give you the interview opportunity.
It not only shows employers your seriousness, but also signals your fitment to the role.
Not only that, if you have written it in an ATS-compliant manner, it will rank well in the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
This can be more effective than you think it is !
2. Helps You Stand Out from the Crowd
In a competitive job market, having a well-written resume can help you stand out from the crowd.
It’s important to make your resume unique and tailored to the job you’re applying for.
A well-crafted resume shows employers (and ATS) that carry the matching skills compared to thousands others who might have applied for the job.
3. Highlight Your Strengths and Skills
If you write your resume effectively, it can highlight your strengths and skills strongly.
By using the right mix of claims and supporting achievements and awards, you can showcase a story that perfectly matches the requirement.
4. Demonstrates Your Professionalism
Lastly, a well-written and proof-read resume demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. It’s important to make sure that your resume is free of errors and typos. A professional resume also shows employers that you’re organized and manage yourself well.
Tips for Writing a Great Resume
1. Use a Professional Template
When it comes to resumes, it’s important to use a professional template. This will help you create an organized, easy-to-read document that will make a great impression on employers. Make sure to use a template that is tailored to the job you’re applying for.
There is a lot to be said about the resume templates, but for almost all cases – a simple template is the best one. The ATS reads it easily, and the humans understand it quickly.
2. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
It’s important to tailor your resume for each job you’re applying for.
This means that you should highlight skills and experiences that are relevant to the job.
This also means that you should match your resume with your target Job Descriptions. This is a thoughtful exercise and much deeper than the keyword stuffing most gurus on the internet teach candidates to do.
This is quite like working on your own little SEO applied to the job market.
I will cover this in a post separately.
Coming back to the point, matching your resume correctly with your JD will show employers and ATS that you’re a good fit for the role.
It strongly boosts your chances to get an interview.
3. Write a Great Professional Summary
The professional summary is the first section of your resume and it’s important to make it stand out from the crowd. This is your chance to showcase your skills and qualifications in an effective way. Make sure to include relevant keywords, accomplishments, and awards that demonstrate your expertise.
If you are a fresher and do not know what to include in your resume, do not worry.
Freshers have a lot of good stuff that they can include in their resume.
4. Focus on Your Achievements and Quantifiable Details
It’s important to focus on your achievements when crafting your resume. This means that you should include accomplishments, awards, and successes that demonstrate your expertise and knowledge. This will show employers that you’re a capable and successful candidate for the job.
Do not forget to add comparisons wherever possible. This provides a benchmark to the recruiter to measure your achievement against.
5. Use Action Verbs
When writing your resume, it’s important to use action verbs that bring your resume alive. Make sure to use powerful words that showcase your skills and experience in a positive light.
6. Edit and Proofread Your Resume
Finally, it’s important to make sure that you edit and proofread your resume. This will ensure that your resume is free of errors and typos, which will make a great impression on employers.
To conclude, having a well-written resume is essential for making a great impression on potential employers. A well-crafted resume will improve your chances of getting an interview, help you stand out from the crowd, and highlight your strengths and skills.
So, what are you thinking, now that you understand the importance of resume – start writing a great resume for yourself.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.
