You’ve sent out dozens of job applications, but you haven’t received one potential job interview. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence for job seekers — and usually, their unpolished resume is to blame. You have around six seconds to make a good, first impression – make them count by following these resume do’s and don’ts.
1. Proofread extensively. Typos and inaccuracies are a surefire way for landing your resume at the bottom of the stack. Something as small as a misplaced comma or an inaccurate date can be the difference between getting the interview or not. One of the most common grammatical errors people make? Using inconsistent tenses throughout their resumes.
DON’T use vague language. According to Janet Raiffa, a career advisor at Columbia Business School, “using quantifying and qualifying adjectives make statements stronger and more credible.”
2. Focus on accomplishments. You’re bound to make an impression if you highlight your awards, special contributions, and rave reviews. This captures the employer’s attention and proves why you’re the best candidate for the job.
DON’T focus on responsibilities. Responsibilities are just job duties that most people handle on any given day. If you’re hoping to stand out from the crowd, differentiate yourself with your achievements instead.
3. Be concise. Your resume is your opportunity to showcase your background and qualifications, but you want to steer clear of including an overload of information. Instead of distracting your recruiter with unnecessary information, keep your resumes concise, direct, and clean so only the most valuable information will be noticed.
DON’T forget about formatting. Try to keep all of your information on a single page, with information sectioned off with bold headers and white space. In this case, less really is more!
Madison Approach Staffing is a recruiting agency serving employers and employees alike throughout Westchester County, New York. With nearly 30 years of experience, we are completely dedicated to making sure that every placement is right for both the candidate and the company. Visit our website to learn how we can help you, or give us a call at (914) 428-4800.
