33 Resume Secrets of Successful Job Applicants
When applying for a job, remember this: the purpose of a resume is not just to grab the employer’s attention, but to make sure they pick up the phone and call you in for an interview.
Here is the list of 33 secrets that I have found in every successful candidate who has finally made it to the first step of being called for an interview.
See what points you have instilled and used in your resume.
1) Ensure that a permanent form of education, training and development is established. That shows the employer that you are a person who wants to grow.
2) Make sure your resume matches your personality but within the requirements and framework of the job. Don’t oversell. Otherwise, the honeymoon phase may end faster than you think!
3) Let them always discover “Why they should choose you” in every sentence!
4) List the best and most important parts at the top. Don’t save the best for last.
5) Remember to indicate something ‘extra’ on your resume that would give you an edge over others.
6) Test reading! This is something I’m bad at! That’s why I give it to others so I don’t have mistakes on my resume. PS: NEVER EVER EVER have mistakes on your resume.
7) Name and save the document Smartly. Come on, show some creativity!
8) Make sure your resume matches existing trends in the market and yes, always keep your resume up to date!
9) Submit your resume in PDF format. Today almost every organization has a PDF viewer. (In case they don’t, better not work there!)
10) Make sure every new fact or statement about you on the resume is bulleted. However, keep it short, concise and compact.
11) Avoid childish, unprofessional or unnecessary information. Things that are not required or do not add any value to the employer in making the selection decision.
12) A word of caution. Prepare yourself mentally to know that anything you’ve said on a positive note can be taken in a negative light. So watch every line, sentence, and sentence, and yes, be prepared to explain it to the employer, however, in a persuasive and unapologetic manner!
13) Design and content: show that you have put some effort and thought into it. Keep this in mind though: content is always king!
14) The rule of thumb is simply this: don’t reveal everything in detail. Leave parts to be discussed during the course of the interview.
15) Ensure creativity in your presentation.
16) Keywords related to your industry are very important. Use them, use them.
17) When stating your accomplishments, make sure they are measurable, quantifiable, and yes, credible.
18) Consider your rebranding strategy when submitting your resume.
19) If there are things that can add value or complement what you do, let the employer know!
20) In design: do not be too simple. The only rule of thumb here is: find out if it is an acceptable practice in the business environment of the country you are applying to.
21) Always know what information to mention and what information to avoid altogether.
22) Make the information easily readable; that not only includes font selection and font size, it also includes sentence construction.
23) Have a pleasant and natural conversational language.
24) With each point, give an example. This would add a layer of credibility to your profile.
25) Remember – More is Boring
26) Never use clichés!
27) Are you thinking of making your Curriculum Vitae by yourself? What if the guy applying for the same job is a professional to make his resume? Then multiply that chance with the next 10 guys, then what?
28) Start with enthusiasm and a level of authority and end with a positive sales closing.
29) Put last things first always! Most of the old stuff: The potential employer may not necessarily read or pay attention.
30) When applying for senior positions, do not highlight or list outdated positions. And yes, the most important thing is not to mention small-scale or short-term projects.
31) Ask yourself: would someone reading the first 25% of my resume be excited to find out more about me? If not, your resume needs to be modified!
32) Would reading the first 50% of my resume result in the interviewer wanting to call me in for an interview? If not, your resume needs to be modified!
33) Make sure your resume has the following features…
1. Legibility
2. Organization
3. Sales capacity
4. Succession
5. Substance