Top 5 Resume Tips to ensure yours is noticed and stands out

Seven seconds! That is all the time you have to ensure your CV moves to the next round of the application process. Have you done everything you can to make it catch a recruiter’s eye in that short time?

Stop thinking so much about yourself and think more about what your reader is looking for and expecting to see. The recruitment team at International Schools Partnership (ISP) shares five strategies to help you make your resume stand out.

1.?????FORMAT MATTERS: This is your first impression. The average hiring professional spends 7 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to look at the candidate more closely. When you only have that amount of time to capture their attention and have then consider you, you want to make sure it is easy for them to scan and understand your career narrative.

Keep it concise

·????????Don’t make your experience an endless list of bullet points or dense paragraphs. Instead, create a short paragraph under your job that describes the role and responsibilities. Then use your bullet points to demonstrate your achievements.

·????????Stay away from custom or overly intricate font styles. Use a classic resume template, organized with conventional headings.

Carefully proofread it line by line, looking at not only grammar and phrasing, but making sure your spacing and fonts are consistent throughout.

2. AVOID CLUTTERED LAYOUTS: It can be a real challenge for automated systems to parse through design and graphics in order to find the keywords they are looking for.?If you wish to present graphics or a portfolio of your work as part of our CV provide the links. This will make it easier for the reader to find them. Keep it simple

·????????Your resume should tell a clear story as to why your experience and skills qualify you for the position you are applying for.

·????????The top third of the resume should give employers a quick glance at why it makes sense to talk to you. It should include your contact information, professional title, professional summary and areas of expertise.

·????????Next you should highlight your work experience. Candidates often use company jargon and abbreviations or acronyms that are not universally recognized. We suggest you avoid this completely.

3. CUSTOMIZE IT: Make sure your CV matches the job description. Many organizations and Applicant Tracking systems (ATS) use programs and algorithms to screen resumes. If you use the keywords from the job description in your CV it is a great way to get it noticed.

Keep it to the point

·????????Pay attention to the skills and experience the company is looking for and weave that language into your CV. Do not rewrite your CV based on the job description. Your CV will not look to be authentic if you do this. Use the job description to reorganize in a way that highlights the most relevant experience to the recruiters.

4. SHOW YOUR IMPACT: Recruiters want to see the impact you have made to your current or previous organizations. If your experience section is very task-based, focusing on your day-to-day responsibilities, it will read more like a job description instead of painting a picture for recruiters.

Keep it action oriented

·????????Take the task and turn it into an achievement. Remember, this is not the time to be humble. You are trying to impress someone you have never even met before, and you have to do it fast!

5. DON’T FORGET A COVER LETTER: It will not hurt your application if you include it, but you could be hurting your chances of a call back if you do not. Do not make it generic. Instead customize your letter by including what you have learned about the company and how you have the qualities they are looking for in a candidate.

Keep it personal

·????????Check out the company’s mission statement and show how you align with their goals and would fit in well as an employee.

·????????Show that you are passionate about your industry and why you believe that you are best fit for this job.

PROOFREAD

Make sure to proofread your resume before submitting it. An error-free and easy-to-read resume demonstrates your professionalism and your ability to pay close attention to detail. If you tailor your resume to each position you apply for, make sure to carefully read it each time, or ask a trusted friend or family member to review it for you. Good luck with your job search!