5 ways to make your resume stand out

1. Tailor the content for the job and industry that you are applying for

When you are applying for different jobs, be sure to craft a tailor-made CV for each position. Prioritise your experience and qualifications according to the job description. If you are applying for a role as a Marketing Officer and have worked in both PR and Marketing companies, focus on your Marketing experience and only include transferable skills and achievements from the PR company.

2. Include the essential skills for your role

You should always include skills that would be related to the role you are applying for. You should read the job description carefully to understand what skills are required and ensure your CV has those listed. For instance, it would be wise to list your capabilities, extra qualifications and certificates of video editing software and programs if you are applying for a video-production-related position.

3. A visually appealing CV is important

Remember that you are trying to market yourself as the best candidate for the job using your CV as a good advertisement. A visually appealing CV helps separate yourself from numerous applications that all look the same. Imagine you are a recruiter or a hiring manager who has to process hundreds of similar CVs every day, would you engage with a CV that is more of the same? Or one that is well-structured and pops up visually?

4. Add a summary paragraph for readers to go back to

Hiring managers rarely read anything more than your experience and dates of employment at first glance. However, if you start by showing why you are a good fit, they will spend a few more seconds on your resume looking for reasons to hire you. A summary is also a good chance to connect your different career achievements and give a rounded picture of who you are as a candidate.

5. Use numbers and figures to represent your accomplishments

Companies are hiring you to get a job done. The best way to show that you are a capable candidate is to list the things you were able to accomplish in a measurable format. Numbers speak to the hiring manager in a way that benchmarks you against others.