How to Write a Resume That Stands Out
If you’ve just graduated and are wondering how to craft a resume for that dream job posted in the student advisor’s office, here’s a key insight to help you succeed.
This tip may not be a secret anymore, as many job seekers have become savvy about writing resumes to catch the attention of human resource managers. Still, it’s worth sharing in case you’re unaware. Many recruiters have emphasized its importance, so this advice will prove valuable.
Hooking Attention Is Key
The World Wide Web hosts millions of websites, and users often “surf” them quickly. This means they’re busy, seeking information fast, and will move on if they don’t find it. That’s why you hear the phrase, “They scroll, they don’t read.”
You can’t blame them. With countless websites competing for attention and internet users being impatient, the information must be compelling and accessible. As Nick Usborne noted, the internet is a friendly, democratic platform, but also unforgiving. If you’re applying for a highly competitive job market or seeking a software engineer job, your resume needs to capture the recruiter’s attention—not just through appearance, but with content tailored to the job’s specific keywords.
Mastering the Resume Scan Test
Just as web users scroll through sites, personnel managers “scan” resumes rather than reading every word—unless you’re called for an interview, when they’ll scrutinize your experience and qualifications. In today’s digital age, even the recruitment industry has evolved. Here’s the secret: if your resume doesn’t pass the scan test, it ends up in the rejection pile, no matter how much effort you put into it.
How does it work? Job descriptions are crafted with specific keywords that stand out, known only to the recruiter. As resumes pour in—often hundreds or thousands—they’re fed into a scanner. Only those containing the targeted keywords are retained.
Cardinal Rules for Resume Writing
To ensure your resume stands out, follow these standard practices:
- Ensure it is typed with no grammar or spelling errors.
- Keep it to two pages or fewer.
- Maintain a professional appearance.
- Include contact details, career objective, education, experience, specific achievements, skills, and a willingness to provide references.
- Omit religious affiliation, birth date, nationality, and marital status.
- Accompany it with a cover letter.
Grammar and Spelling: Errors in your resume or cover letter signal carelessness and undermine credibility. Companies aim to hire the best, so someone who can’t spell or use proper English risks being overlooked.
Two-Page Rule: A resume longer than two pages is excessive. Save elaboration for the interview. Use short sentences and bullet points for clarity and impact.
Professional Appearance: A resume on cheap stationery reflects a lack of attention to detail. Opt for thicker, professional-grade paper with matching envelopes (avoid colored stationery, though subtle shades of gray are acceptable). Consult a resume-writing book from your local library for format and layout inspiration.
Recommended Resources
Consider these books for guidance:
- How to Say It on Your Resume: A Top Recruiting Director’s Guide to Writing the Perfect Resume for Every Job by Brad Karsh and Courtney Pike (Paperback, Jan 6, 2009). ISBN-10: 0735204349; ISBN-13: 978-0735204348.
- 101 Best Resumes by Jay A. Block and Michael Betrus. ISBN-10: 0070328935; ISBN-13: 978-0070328938.
Content Essentials: Place your contact details and career objective on the first page for easy access. List your university, graduation year, and degree. Highlight specific achievements with concrete details (e.g., instead of “I helped the sales team meet their quota,” write, “I helped the sales team achieve $250,000 in sales for Q3 and Q4 2009”). Note that you’re happy to provide references upon request.
Personal Information: You’re not obligated to include your age, nationality, religious affiliation, or marital status. In some North American regions, these are illegal questions for employers to ask.
Cover Letter: Keep it concise unless asked to address specific questions like “Why should we hire you?” or “Where do you see yourself in five years?” These are better suited for the interview.
Always sign and date both your cover letter and resume to avoid questions about outdated information.
Targeting the Company’s Requirements
The second most critical lesson is addressing the job’s specific requirements. As mentioned, large companies use scanners to filter resumes based on keywords from the job description. If your resume lacks these, it’s automatically discarded.
Example 1: A company seeks a programmer with five years of experience in JavaScript, PHP, and Joomla template design, preferably in the aerospace industry. In your resume, under “Experience” or “Skills,” include:
- JavaScript
- PHP
- Redesign and installation of Joomla templates
- Ajax
- Ruby on Rails
I have worked on websites for aerospace companies such as [Company Names]. View my design work at [links].
Prioritize the skills listed in the job description, then add related skills like Ajax or Ruby on Rails.
Example 2: A national wine club needs a writer to produce newsletters, update their website, moderate forums, and publish four articles monthly, plus weekly wine blogs. Your resume should include:
Experience: Wrote for the City of Calgary Regional Wine Club, creating and sending newsletters, moderating discussion forums, soliciting memberships, and writing monthly articles. Updated website content and implemented management-requested changes.
Skills: Website design, blogging, writing, and research.
Areas of Interest: Red wines from Italy, Rosés from Portugal, and wines from the Niagara region. Completed sommelier courses in California’s Napa Valley.
Guiding Principle: Honesty is the best approach. Don’t exaggerate or lie about your experience.
Happy resume writing, and best of luck with your job hunt!
