10 Key Takeaways from 100’s of Resumes
You’ve likely heard the statistic that hiring managers spend just 6-7 seconds reviewing a resume. If not, now you have. A quick search online will confirm it. So, how can you make yours stand out? We’re here to help you rise above the average. By following our clear, straightforward steps, we’ll help you craft a resume that catches attention and sets you apart from the competition.
Over our team’s careers we have seen a ton of resumes. From creating our own, to people we’ve interviewed, hired, and clients who have needed our help to kick theirs up a notch; we have seen hundreds. From the hundreds of resumes we’ve developed a list of key takeaways that will help yours stand out. Let’s start here first!
Be succinct — Keep your resume under 2 pages. 1 page is ideal.
Have a VERY short intro — I could argue you don't need one at all if you need the space on the layout.
Use action verbs —Start very bullet point with a strong, past tense verb (e.g., accomplished, achieved, developed, improved, performed, etc.)
Highlight ACCOMPLISHMENTS, not JOB RESPONSIBILITIES — Your bullet points should focus on your achievements, not just what you were tasked with.
Be quantitative— Whenever possible, use numbers and metrics to demonstrate tangible impact (e.g, increased sales by 20%, saves 30% in costs, managed a budget of $150K, oversaw a portfolio generating $27M in revenue)
Tailor to each job— Customize your resume for every job application, highlighting the key skills or qualifications the employer seeks.
Leverage technology —Don’t shy away from using tools like ChatGPT to help you proofread and learn how to craft effective prompts.
Utilize a clean, professional format— Choose a layout that is easy to read, with consistent fonts and headings. We love to use Canva to search through various templates that are eye catching and make you stand out to your next employer!
Keep your resume up to date — Regularly update your resume with new accomplishments, skills, and job roles to ensure it reflects your most recent and relevant experience. You never know who you will meet organically and need to send over a resume ASAP!
Get feedback —Send your resume to a friend, family member, or us! Having someone with experience to provide insights and critiques before finalizing is key to making it as strong as possible!
Looking to dive deeper into your resume? Contact us for a consultation! You can also explore samples of resumes from our past clients for inspiration.
