8 tips to stand out among your competition with a unique resume

Did you know that some employers receive over 250 job applications for the same position? Imagine applying for a job for which a hundred other equally qualified candidates are competing. How would you make your resume stand out among those of your competitors?

The best way to create an attention-grabbing resume is to incorporate non-traditional elements into your resume. However, you should be incredibly careful to not lose the professional tone of your resume in doing so. Employers value professionalism just as much as uniqueness in a resume. Here are some things you could try:

1. Create your own resume template

Hiring managers see the same old boring resume templates from the internet all the time. Jazz things up by making your own resume template. Don’t know where to start? We did two articles on everything you need to know about creating your own MS Word resume template. Read them here and here!

2. Write a subject line for the email that screams, “We need to hire them!”

Usually, we go with something generic for the subject line of the job application email. However, you can change things up a little and write a compelling message such as, “I’m the candidate you’re searching for!.” It will make it a little bit harder for a hiring manager to resist opening your job application.

3. Give prominence to leadership experience on your resume

Don’t just say that you are a good leader, show them the things you’ve helped your company achieve as a leader. Recruiters admire candidates who can hold a leadership role and do it well. Your leadership experience will make a valuable addition to your resume.

4. Make those volunteer experiences stand out

Not every candidate in the competition will be interested in giving back to the community. If you have loads of volunteer experience, let those shine on your resume. If you don’t have any, consider joining a non-profit organization in your community that suits your interests.

5. Solve the employer’s problem in your branding statement

A resume is not complete without a powerful resume summary. This is the first thing on your resume that an interested employer reads. Give them the incentive to read your entire resume by solving the organization’s problems in your resume summary. A little research on the company and role will give you the material you need to start on your quest.

6. Go digital with a short video

Create a 90 – 120 second video to tell employers about your valuable experience in the field. Just like a designer creates a digital portfolio that showcases their best pieces to go along with their fashion designer resume, display your best attributes using a short video. Add a link to the video in your resume or cover letter to pique the recruiter’s interest.

7. Always design your resume with both the human and the robot in mind

An attractive resume with a lot of graphics will easily grab a recruiter’s attention but fail miserably in the ATS test. Understand how to create an ATS-friendly resume before you start typing away. Try to incorporate a few design elements into your resume so that it’s an easy and compelling read for a human hiring manager too. Don’t know exactly how to write an ATS-optimized resume? Talk to a certified resume writer at Resume Mansion!

8. Include testimonials in your resume

Ask for quotes or testimonials from your previous employers, coworkers, supervisors, or clients. But keep in mind that not every resume benefits from testimonials. Not sure whether you should add quotes to your resume? Read this article to learn everything you need to know about adding testimonials to your resume.

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