Check Out These Tips for Writing a Powerful Resume

Your resume is one of the most important pieces of your overall candidate profile, and it is more important than ever to ensure it makes it into the hands of an actual hiring manager. It is standard practice for companies to filter resumes through applicant tracking software in order to save time and narrow the pool to only the most qualified candidates, so use the following tips to make your resume powerful and memorable.

Quantify Your Experience

Add concrete numerical data to your accomplishments to provide proof of your abilities. For instance, replace "strong sales performance" with "ranked in the top 2 percent of 50 sales reps for three consecutive years." Quantifying skills can be a challenge for many job seekers, especially those in more abstract fields. But it is important because it turns every statement on your resume into a hard fact in the mind of the reader.

Use Active Verbs

Employers want employees that get the job done. Use powerful verbs throughout your resume to show that you have the initiative to perform above and beyond expectations. Instead of just listing your daily responsibilities, try stronger, more specific verbs such as "planned," "launched," "created" or "managed." These words demonstrate your specific contributions to past projects, but they fall flat unless you pair them with results. Reflect on how your accomplishments helped your previous employers grow their client base, save money, streamline processes or improve morale, and include those results for each bullet point.

Simplify

You want your resume to actually get noticed, so it is essential to make it sleek, concise and reader-friendly. Consider the qualifications and job description of the position you're applying for, and get rid of any details in your work experience that are irrelevant to that position. Every line and bullet point needs to speak directly to the position and company. Review your resume, and edit where needed. Enlist a friend or colleague to proofread and give constructive feedback, then edit again if necessary. Your finished product should be succinct and tailored to the job you want.

Customize

Gone are the days of putting together one great resume that works for every job application. It may be tempting to mass apply to dozens of positions using the same resume, but it will likely reap few rewards. Hiring managers must sift through hundreds of resumes a day, so if your resume doesn't directly relate to what the company is looking for, it may end up in the trash. Review the job description, and highlight the traits and skills you possess.

As technology progresses, job seekers face more challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Take the time to develop your resume so that it stands out among hundreds of competitors.

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