Resumes that Lead to Interviews
First Impressions Last.
Have you ever met someone and done the Rachel from Friends thing and accidentally touched them in an inappropriate place when reaching for their handshake? Or said completely the wrong thing and wished you could take it back the second it comes out of your mouth?
A first impression is something you never have another chance to make. The first impression you make on a potential employer, whether via your CV or during an interview, is usually your only opportunity to demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the job, so make the most of it. Therefore, put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter you want to impress. In this piece, we’ll discuss many time-tested but often disregarded resume writing techniques that might result in job interviews. Put an end to your anxiety and jot down the critical points we’ll explore in this piece.
Tip 1: There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume template that guarantees an interview or job offer. Make sure that your CV fits the company that you are applying to. See if you can research the person that is interviewing you and see if you can add in a point that will connect you. Maybe their Facebook page is full of cats. Are you a cat person too?
Tip 2: Prioritise content before design and layout. While the appearance may make you unique, bear in mind that the key to making your CV attractive to an employer is to personalise it to the job description. There is no need for pink scented paper if the content on that paper stinks.
Tip 3: Making assertions without providing quantifiable evidence is a major no-no. If you’re going to boast about increasing sales or streamlining processes, back it up with actual statistics and an explanation of how you accomplished it. Be sure to be able to defend and explain your CV in the interview.
Tip 4: Keep job descriptions to a maximum of four critical components. By being brief, you may give more space to show off your most significant and proud achievements.
Tip 5: Bear in mind that the majority of hiring managers will first see your CV on a computer screen. People read differently on a computer screen than they do on paper. They skim and scan rather than read every word. That means it’s critical to make your resume skimmable — and it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to noticeably improve readability.
