Optimising Your Resume Writing for Job Applications
Are you wondering how to enhance your resume writing for job prospects? Want to ensure that your CV catches the eye of employers, whether you're applying online or in person? Are you seeking ways to improve your resume's performance in computerised screening processes, all for free?
A lot of career seekers today who dream about landing a job of their choice find it tough. Most of the time, they get overwhelmed along the process. Knowing exactly where to start and how to tweak your current resume for your field of expertise can be extremely challenging, especially when you try to keep up with the latest recruitment trends.
The first step toward securing an interview and landing the job of your dreams is to create an optimised resume. This move can help you pass the gates of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) whilst ensuring that your document is filled with all the WOW factors. Completing this can aid you in persuading your next employer that you are THE ONE they must pick against the rest of the aspirants who want to land that vacancy.
It's always easier to get the help of expert career coaches and professional resume writers, which can save you time and eliminate job rejection from the equation. But, if you are doing it on your own, here are FREE and job-securing resume tips that can help you land your dream job. So, read on, learn, and EARN without costing you a penny!
Wondering Why You Haven't Heard Back from Your Interviewer? The Clichés and Buzzwords are Damaging your Resume!
Picture this: You are now ready to go back to your old life after staying indoors due to the restrictions caused by a global pandemic. What to do? Why not watch the latest movies in the theatre? Don't you just miss the smell of fresh cheese or buttered popcorn? So, you go on YouTube to check out the newest trailers.
First, you go for a chick flick trailer and see the shy, awkward girl gets the hot guy. A cliché! Next! You try an action film but see the protagonist walking away from an explosion that should be fatal to a normal person. Definitely a cliché! Next! You then venture into the horror film section on the web only to get disappointed at the plot, which starts with opening a book that clearly states that it's cursed!
Don't we all hate clichés? So, make sure that overused words and phrases stay away from your resume!
According to a 2023 report, more than 50% of recruiters tend to place applications filled with cliches straight to the 'NO' pile. Therefore, before submitting your job search tools – CV, cover letter, and selection criteria responses – put your resume writer mask on and hunt down the resume-killing buzzwords across your documents, including:
- I can work independently – Can't we all do it?
- I am a good communicator – Did you know that 36% of recruiters cringe when reading this phrase?
- I work well under pressure – If this isn’t a trait you MUST have, what is expected from you?
- I am a hard worker – Cheers, but I am, too, including the other 249 applicants.
- I am a good problem solver – You just decreased your chances of impressing your readers by 19%.
Yes, these statements and claims may be factual; however, they are very unoriginal. Therefore, since your goal is to stand out, it is always best to be different.
As said by Coco Chanel, "To be irreplaceable, one must always be different." So, step out of your comfort zone and try these unique ways that will set you apart from the job pool and get you an interview. Try these creative statements instead:
- Completed 2 resume drafts and 3 cover letters per day with 100% accuracy, working autonomously to research and extract ATS-friendly keywords and considering the clients' credentials, career history, and relevant experience whilst consistently meeting deadlines daily.
- Exceeded the satisfaction of 3 executives through timely communication and displaying active listening skills to learn the intricate wants and align the needs of each client, thereby receiving recommendations and 5 star-reviews.
- Delivered a business proposal within 2 days, 3 days less than expected, whilst completing daily tasks by creating a very detailed time management plan to boost effectiveness under stress.
- Boosted the number of positive customer testimonials, rolling-up sleeves and going over and beyond to precisely meet every client's application needs and guaranteeing perfect levels of punctuality and attendance.
- Reconciled a template conflict by collaborating with a team of 6 resume writers and IT consultants to develop ATS-friendly and easy-to-tailor resume designs, leading to increasing team productivity.
See how you hit two birds with one stone – You avoided bland statements and supplied your readers with tangible examples of your career achievements. So, don't be that hardworking, problem-solving team member who can communicate and work independently under pressure. Stay away from destructive terms to ensure you have an interview-winning resume. You can also try doing these examples for your LinkedIn profile.
If you need help identifying the buzzwords on your resume, let our Professional Resume Writers. Claim your free resume review today or click here to contact a career coach for a free 15-minute consultation.
Resume Writing for Job Applications...The Blogs Always Say...Back Up Your Achievements and Show "How Much" You Can Help!
#$%! 🤬 No, we aren't cursing — but we got your attention, right?
Did you know that these signs can make you appear more credible in the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers? Instead of boring the readers by detailing your duties and responsibilities, change them into something more compelling and creative! How? By adding REAL facts and figures.
Many aspirants think that quantifying their success is extremely difficult but it doesn't have to be. When you reflect on your daily achievements, you'll find out that you have plenty of measurable items to brag about. So think deeper! Did you do any of the items listed below?
- Boosted revenue or sales for the company
- Saved the company's time
- Trained colleagues
- Increased client referral
- Generated new ideas
Your next employer is looking for the perfect job seeker whose resume screams "success" and prefers to see that you have taken the initiative and achieved things. By adding metrics, you can let recruiters and hiring managers know that you can be THE BEST FIT for the organisation.
How can you do it?
One way to show this is by backing up your achievements on your resume with numbers. For example, if you increased sales by 20% in your previous position or if you managed a team of 7 people, put it there. These statements will help employers gauge what you can put into the table, should they decide to hire you.
Career Takeaway: Always ask yourself, 'how much?' as you tweak your resume.
Some examples of achievements you can consider while refining your resume:
- Improved sales by 13% within 3 months
- Received a promotion after 6 months of service at the previous company
- Trained 8 new employees in the first year of XYZ company
Add in Details Relevant To The Job You Are Eyeing on
Your job search documents, such as your resume, cover letter, selection criteria, and even your LinkedIn profile, are your marketing tools. They are not your memoir.
Think of them as your billboard or calling card. On a billboard, we only see relevant details that would catch the eyes of the viewers and make them think, "I think I need it in my life."
Your resume must be tailored to each job you apply for. Doing so can persuade hiring managers and recruiters to utter, "I think our team needs this applicant" – they need YOU.
How do we do this?
First, find the PERFECT job ad you would like to apply for. Second, try to read and re-read the content of the advertisement. There, you can find essential information, particularly under the job description and requirements. Tick those you are confident about and make them appear on your CV or resume.
According to a report, 63% of recruiters expect job seekers to tailor their resumes to open positions. So, don't hesitate to invest time in learning about the company and the specific role, and then highlight how your skills and experiences match their needs.
DYK: This trick can help you please both your human readers and the bots!
Your resume should be easy to read, and it should highlight your achievements, not your job duties. Use keywords from the job listing in your resume and make sure your formatting is clean and consistent.
The Job Market Is Extraordinarily Competitive In 2022, so Tweak Your Resume to Help You Stand Out!
We're living in a society where we are fed with change daily, thereby making most of us feel lost and overwhelmed, especially those who find it difficult to acclimate to shifts. Two years ago, the job market was competitive but not as competitive as it is today. Thus, the most significant thing you can do to have a grasp of your dream life and career is to ensure that all your job search tools, such as your resume or CV, cover letter, selection criteria, and LinkedIn profile help you stand out.
Recruiters are going to be reviewing hundreds of applications for every open position, and there's no doubt that many of them will be using the most modern automated applicant tracking systems. That means, if your resume doesn't look good at first glance or is not jammed packed with relevant keywords, it'll never be seen by human eyes.
So, how can you avoid this?
Start tweaking your resume to perfection today! Refining your CV for at least 15 minutes a day can make a big difference in your job hunt. Ensure that all The clichés, such as 'responsible for' and other buzzwords, are eliminated from your document. You must reflect on your achievements and add facts and figures. Lastly, make sure that your documents are tailored to the job you are going for.
However, if done wrong, these tweaks can also hurt your application. Professional Resume Writers and Career coaches at The Perfect Resume know how hard it is to apply for jobs. Instead of just crafting a resume for humans, applicants must first ensure that their documents don't look gibberish to a computer.
Applying for jobs is so hard that it's practically impossible to do it right without help. That's where The Perfect Resume comes in. With our professional resume writing services and career counselling, you'll be ready to take on the job hunt like a pro!
So, if you need support, click here to contact a career coach for a free 15-minute consultation or send your resume to info@thperfectresume.com.au for a free resume review.
Our team here at The Perfect Resume can help you tweak or refine your resume so that it looks professional and easy to read. We'll also help you create a resume that highlights your skills and experiences in a way that will make recruiters sit up and take notice.
What are you waiting for? Contact us today! 📩
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