A resume is your first impression, an interview is your second, and you never get a third chance at a first impression. In a nutshell, your resume is your first chance to make a lasting impression on an employer, and you should be doing everything you can to make it memorable.
While it’s good practice to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for, it’s even better (and more effective) to tailor your resume to the needs of the hiring manager. After all, if you know what they’re looking for, you can write your resume to highlight your experience, skills, and education as they relate to the job.
Knowing what to include in your resume is only the beginning. Once you have a functional resume, it’s time to move on to the next step: making it memorable. To do this, you need to perform a bit of personal branding before you send your resume out into the world.
Let’s take a quick look at the steps you should take before applying for a job.
Know Thyself
The first step to creating a memorable resume is to know thyself. What do you want out of your resume? As previously stated, it is your first chance to make a lasting impression, and you should be doing everything you can to make it memorable. Remember: you’ve only got one chance at a first impression. The better your resume, the greater your chances of being remembered.
If you don’t know what elements will make your resume memorable, you can never truly be sure what will make an impact. It’s all about the personal brand you’re establishing
Develop An Online Portfolio
An online portfolio is a collection of your work that you can showcase to potential employers. It’s a great way to demonstrate your skills, and a stand-alone piece of marketing material that will undoubtedly grab the attention of any hiring manager.
An online portfolio should consist of your best work, both professionally and academically. You can include any creative works you’ve done, including paintings, drawings, or sculpture. It’s a good idea to look at some of the successful portfolio sites out there to see how others are doing it.
The contents of your online portfolio should be concise, easy to understand, and clearly communicate your value to potential employers. In order to make your resume more memorable, develop a solid online presence to accompany it. The perfect online portfolio will provide your potential employers with a complete picture of you as a professional, your skills, and your ability to perform (if you are selected for an interview).
Perform Research
Once you have a clear picture of what you’re looking for in terms of qualifications and experience, it’s time to perform some research. Start by looking at what others are doing. Sometimes the best way to find out what you’re looking for is to ask other people. By researching top performing individuals, you can ensure you’re prepared for the interview process.
You should also consider reading some good books or blogs on personal branding and marketing, such as The Branding Coach: Simple Yet Powerful Ways to Build a Brand for Yourself and Your Business.
Prepare For The Interview
As previously stated, a resume is your first impression, and you never get a second chance at a first impression. You’re going to be giving your resume to the person you’re meeting with, so it’s essential you leave no stone unturned in terms of its perfection. You should prepare everything from the font you’re using to the way you lay out the information.
You need to take some time to think of a list of questions you might be asked by the hiring manager. Be prepared to answer them clearly and concisely. Remember: concise yet complete answers are what you’re looking for. Make sure you practice these responses in front of a mirror or friend so you can ensure you’re comfortable with them.
Answering questions is only half the battle. You also need to make sure that your resume is tailored to the needs of the hiring manager. If you don’t know what they’re looking for, you’ll never be able to write your resume to suit their needs. Your resume should reflect your personal brand, and your personal brand should always be in line with your resume. Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for, but be sure to tailor it to the needs of the hiring manager as well.
The better you tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for, the greater your chances of being remembered. Even if you don’t get the job, you’ll still have the satisfaction of knowing your resume was tailor made for the position.
The Takeaway
So, you’ve had some time to prepare for the job search, and you’ve prepared a solid resume. Congrats! Now it’s time to send it out into the world and see what happens.
What you need to remember is that you need to convince them you’re the best person for the job, and that you’re worth their time. If you want to be remembered, make sure your resume is memorable. To do this, you need to brand yourself first. Know thyself, develop an online presence, perform research, and then, finally, be confident enough to apply for a job and present yourself in the best possible light.