By Gary Lachow
You’re about to send your resume to your top-choice employer, or maybe you’re getting ready to personally hand it to a company representative at a job fair. But wait! Is your resume ready?
Does it reflect your past as well as your potential? Is it mistake free? Will it get you the interview?
Since securing an interview is the goal of a resume, it’s crucial to check it not only for mistakes but also for where you can add key points.
So, before you press submit or give it to a company rep at a job fair, use these top tips to make sure your resume gets noticed.
Use key words. Notice the specific words that the job description uses. Include those key words in your resume where it makes sense with your work history.
- Add a personal summary. If you were telling someone about your work history, what would you highlight? Capture that overview here by referencing the experience you have and sharing your goals.
- Present your key skills. Using bullet points, list your top skills below the summary statement. Think of this section as your best professional qualities. You might include software you’ve used, languages you speak, or qualities that reflect your work ethic.
- Begin bullet points with action verbs that convey accomplishments. Emphasize what you achieved and how you contributed, rather than the tasks you performed. Pro tip: use key words from the job description in the bullet points where it fits your experience.
- Avoid fancy fonts, italics, and tables. Instead, use Times New Roman or Arial throughout the document. Using only standard font helps your resume get past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which is a program that evaluates whether or not a candidate fits the requirements of a job. Once a resume passes the ATS, it’s more likely to be seen by a hiring manager.
Additionally, don’t feel pressure to have a long resume. It shouldn’t go back more than 10-15 years of experience, and the jobs you’ve held don’t need more than 3-5 bullet points. Then, you can end your resume by listing your education or certifications.
Bonus Tips for Sharing Your Resume at a Job Fair:
- Get a list of companies attending the job fair and then research ones of interest prior to the event.
- Apply online to these roles of interest, and let employers know you have already done so. This will demonstrate your interest in working for that company.
- Practice your sixty-second elevator pitch that highlights your accomplishments and focuses on a specific job you know this employer is hiring for based on your research.
- Be enthusiastic when speaking to employers and let them know you are ready to contribute by learning quickly and hitting the ground running.
- Be yourself and follow up in a timely manner on any requests made of you by an employer.
Lastly, remember to think of your resume as your chance to showcase your experience as well as your potential.
As you take steps to find a new job, use these tips to help employers recognize the value that you bring to the position.
And if you have any questions or need some help, get in touch!
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A JEVS Career Strategies career counselor can help you every step of the way with all aspects of the job search, including building your resume and preparing for a job fair. You can contact us at 215-832-0878; getting your resume noticed is just one call away.
Posted in Blog JEVS Program: Career Strategies