Today we are going to share some basic tips, tricks and secrets for making your resume appear unique. Your resume, is basically you in a printed form, a summation of all your accomplishments ( academic and professional) the skills you have learnt, the awards/honours you have amassed, the relevant certifications you have been awarded, recommendations from your employers and seniors etc. Your resume if properly written and formed, can become a friend for life- and your ticket to high paying jobs. The basic trick of making your CV appear irresistible to potential employers is to highlight your relevant skills and bring them to forefront. There is no one singular magic format of writing a resume. The perfect CV is flexible and varies according to the designation you have applied for. In this essay, we will discuss and unravel some basic tips/tricks to make your CV irresistible to potential employers.
- Your CV should mirror the job requirements : The only way you can ensure this actually happens is to ensure that you apply to a job, whose requisite qualifications are met by you. In other words, if you feel that you do not have the necessary qualifications, certificates, degrees etc you should not apply to such a job. Ideally if you are applying for a specific job, your CV should include required education, certificates, technical and non technical skills, required industry projects/research work, publications etc down to t.
- Try to Quantify Your Accomplishments : In the corporate world, numbers rule. Period. Have a great score in a relevant subject/project work? The numbers will speak for you. Achieved a brilliant sales turnover? Again let the numbers & figures vouch for you. Have a knack at market research & forecast? Well don’t just claim, how good you are, conduct an actual market research/forecast and attach the sample!
- Avoid Using Generic Terms : This is a mistake many prospective job seekers make. When you are writing Statement of Purpose, do not use cliched statements to introduce or describe yourself such as extraordinary communicator, ‘’goal oriented’’ etc. If you do not have substantial proof of these talents (creativity, communication or analytical ability) these are just tall claims. Think you have a creative flair? Then list all the times your paintings have been exhibited, your gig at designing company, projects covered as freelance graphic designer. Don’t just claim, prove it!
- Don’t put too many passive hobbies : Typically most of the corporate jobs involve a large amount of human interactions. If your CV contains too many solitary hobbies such as reading, watching movies etc, you will give off the vibe of a lone wolf who is socially awkward. If you are applying for a marketing position, your CV should never contain too much solitary pursuits.
- If possible share interests that are relevant to the job. For example if you are applying to be an entry level financial analyst, do share how you love to keep yourself cognizant with latest finance software, how you frequently browse websites such as Investopedia and Business Insider or how you closely read the Economic Times.
- Don’t make it excessively long : It is a myth that your CV should be pages long ( to include your never ending list of achievements!) It should ideally not be longer than two sides of A4.
- Keep your Resume Neat & Professional : No need to experiment on fancy visuals and diverse fonts. Focus on content and not the look. Unless you are applying to an advertising or creative marketing job, there is no need to make your CV look very artistic.
- Use A Header To Turn Employer’s Head : Don’t think your resume as just a resume, think of it as a piece of advertising – self advertisement. While in real life we are always told not to blow our horns, when you are applying for a job, for which you think you are the best candidate, then use a header which is uniquely you- that will act as a billboard of sorts.
- Resumes should always be supplemented by Cover Letters : They can act as a brief introduction to yourself and your achievements and is also a place to elaborate everything you have included in the CV ( within limits of course)