- Keyword research.
First and foremost, employers want to know if you’re qualified for the job. Hiring managers spend most of their time skimming through resumes to identify keywords that match the job description.
Each time you apply for a job, carefully dissect the job posting. Create a list of skills, knowledge, and experience required for the position that matches your experience. After you’ve created a list, identify the strongest matches. These will be the keywords you’ll use throughout your resume.
- Embellished skills.
Employers don’t expect candidates to possess every skill they desire, which is why hiring managers are on the look-out for exaggerated resumes. According to a Careerbuilder study of about 2,000 hiring managers, 57 percent of respondents said the most common lie they catch on a resume is an embellished skill set.
As you write your resume, be careful not to include keywords, skills, or experience that don’t genuinely reflect your abilities as a professional. To avoid this mistake, include supporting accomplishment stories with each position.
- Overall career progression.
Hiring managers want to read resumes that tell a story about a candidate’s career. This story helps them identify the reason why you’re applying for the position and whether you’d make a good fit.
Make sure your resume outlines the key responsibilities you’ve held in each position and how they’ve contributed to your overall career success. Your job titles should also give the employer an idea of the type of experience you’ve had over time.
- Personal brand and online presence.
Hiring managers want to see your personal web presence because it gives them the opportunity to learn more about you as a candidate. Jobvite’s 2014 Social Recruiting Survey found 73 percent of employers have hired a candidate through social media.
Include links to your personal domain or online portfolio, Twitter handle, and a link to your LinkedIn profile. This will make it easier for employers to learn about how you add value to your industry and have created a professional voice online.
While this might seem like a lot, many hiring managers will digest this information in 30 seconds or less. By following these tips, you’ll create a stand-out resume that will get you noticed by employers in a positive way.