When writing a resume, many people think all that is necessary is to “jot down” the duties or responsibilities of each previous job role. However, there is much more to writing a resume that rates high on the applicant tracking system (ATS) software and that will impress an employer than that.
There are 3 things you should know before you write your resume.
1. Know your numbers. You may be wondering, “What numbers? I’m not an accountant.” Every job seeker has numbers that matter when marketing their qualifications to an employer. These days, merely stating the responsibilities of a position does not speak to how you are a standout in the role. How do you compare with other applicants? Why should you be hired instead of someone else? Your numbers will tell the story better than a list of duties. The numbers that you provide should be an honest evaluation of how you add value to the company. For instance, you can note that you have decreased safety incidents by 20% after rolling out a 3-day safety workshop. You can note that you have improved sales by 10% through marketing initiatives. There are a variety of ways that you can provide quantitative data. A professional resume writer can help you to uncover this vital information and strategically place it on your resume, in a cover letter, and within a LinkedIn profile.
2. Know the details of the job you are applying for. If you are unfamiliar with the requirements of the position you are applying for, merely shooting resumes at any job opening, you are actually shooting yourself in the foot! How do you know if you are qualified for the role? How do you know how to create value for the employer if you don’t fully understand how your qualifications match the job description? Understanding what the role requires helps you to tailor your resume to the specifics of the position, painting the true picture of how you are exactly the candidate being sought after.
3. Know the company that you are applying to. This one is usually overlooked by applicants who are quick to apply for a role without researching the company. However, this is a vital step for several reasons. Do you know anything about the company’s mission, corporate culture, and professional reputation? This information can reveal if you would be an organizational fit and if your personal and professional values would align with the values of the company. Why is that important? To save both you and the employer time and heartache. By researching the business to which you are applying, before applying, you can discern if you should even apply at all. If you are ultimately hired, but quickly find out that you are unhappy with the management and/or the company, then you are back to the job search, perhaps having missed an opportunity that would have been a better fit for you. Google the company, check the company’s LinkedIn profile and read reviews on Indeed, Glassdoor, etc. The information you gather can be beneficially used in your cover letter to show that you have done the research and that you are interested in supporting the goals of the company for which you are applying.
You need a professional resume writer who provides a one-to-one consultation, knows what questions to ask, how to translate your answers into quantitative data, and how to match your qualifications to the job role. Your resume writing consultant can create the type of resume, cover letter, and/or LinkedIn profile that will stand out to hiring managers, leading to increased calls for job interviews and a more successful job search. SuperNova Resumes can help. Connect with a Resume Writing Consultant today.
Nova Yeoman-Forrestall - Writer, Consultant & Mentor specializing in Career Development and Job Search Readiness. HRM Certified professional who has helped 100s advance toward the achievement of their goals while working for a division of Manpower Group, Monster.com, and as the CEO & Owner of SuperNova Resumes.
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