Picture it: you’re scrolling through your LinkedIn feed, frantically hitting the “Next” button on your phone, when all of a sudden, the white space on the page turns red – you’ve just matched with a potential employer! It’s a glorious moment, isn’t it? But it doesn’t happen often enough.
We’re all aware of the perils of online dating: creepers, creepy crawlers, and plain ol’ creepers – those who don’t care about your personal details and simply want to get inside your head. Thankfully, most employers don’t work like that. Most employers care about your resume, and that’s what you should put your efforts into writing the best resume you can.
Here are some tried and tested tips on how to write the perfect resume and job application.
Know Your Worth
It’s easy to be impressed by fancy resume templates and tempting to think that you can just paste in your curriculum vitae and save yourself some time. But that’s not true. Your resume is your chance to shine – take the time to do it properly.
Make sure that you know what you’re worth, both monetarily and in terms of expertise. Think about what you can offer an employer and the kind of roles that you’re suited to. The best way to find out what you’re worth is to ask for references.
You should also try to work out what your salary expectations are, given your experience. Are you worth more than what you’re currently earning? Is there a gap in your current skillset that you can plug with your new job?
Dress To Impress
Yes, your resume is going to be judged by your appearance, so make sure that you look your best. Even if you’re applying for a job that doesn’t require a suit and tie, employers appreciate aspirational dressing. Of course, you don’t have to go overboard, but a small edit here and there can make a massive difference. Your resume is your chance to show off your personality, so make sure that you put your best foot forward.
If you’re applying for a job in science or technology, you might want to consider investing in a lab coat. While it might seem like a frivolous expense, a lab coat can make a big difference in how you’re perceived by employers. The same goes for a suit for job hunting in legal or finance.
Keep Things Simple
Simplicity is essential when it comes to a good resume. If you’re using a resume template, try and stick to the essentials only. Cut out all the extra clutter and keep things to what’s relevant to your professional life. In terms of layout, there’s no need to use lots of fancy fonts or design templates.
You want your resume to be as easy to read as possible, so keep things to an absolute minimum of text and use easy-to-find images where possible.
Don’t Forget The Essays
What if I told you there was a type of business application that wasn’t associated with a job search at all? It’s called an essay, and it’s your chance to sound like a genius by showing off your creative writing skills. Employers love a creative writer!
What are essays? Basically, they’re a chance to provide some extra information about yourself that won’t appear on your resume. For example, if you’re applying for a creative writing job, you might want to include an essay about a time you wrote a fan fiction tale for Harry Potter, or if you’re applying for a job in marketing, you can talk about your experience creating viral marketing campaigns.
Essays aren’t something you add to your application. They’re part of your application package, so make sure that you include them. Include a short note about what they are and why you chose to include them.
Create A Cover Letter That Will Make Your Resume Look Like Scranty
Let’s say that you did land an interview with the prospective employer in question, only to find out that they didn’t make a decision regarding your application. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an ‘icebreaker’ – a way of connecting with the interviewer that will make your resume look like a masterpiece?
As I’ve already alluded to, most employers don’t simply read your resume and throw you into an interview. They want to know more about you. They’ll often ask you questions about yourself – try and look them in the eye and sound like you’ve given this a lot of thought. The better you are at telling a story with your resume, the more the employer is going to notice you.
A cover letter is something that you send alongside your resume. It’s a short letter that you write to introduce yourself to the hiring manager, giving them more information about you. In some cases, it might be a short thank you for their time email.
If you’re lucky enough to get a personal call from the hiring manager, you’re in for a treat. Not only will you get to find out more about the role, but you’ll also get to convince them that you’re the perfect person for the job.
Try And Look For Negatives
When you look for a job, there are always going to be negatives. For every role that you apply for, there’s always going to be something that you’re not qualified for, or something that you don’t know much about. When you’re looking for work, it’s vital that you try and see the positives too.
By doing this, you’ll not only land yourself a job, but you’ll also make yourself look like a better candidate. Remember: you’re competing with thousands of other people, so try and find the skills that set you apart from the rest. In terms of qualifications, talk about your strengths and how you intend to compensate for any of your weaknesses.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Even if you don’t believe in psychics, you have to admit that they often get it right. When it comes to your career, there are often times when you’ll wonder if what you’re doing is right. If you’re feeling down about yourself or your job search, take a brief moment to ask yourself: Am I putting my best foot forward? Is what I’m doing helping me to find work?
If the answer is no, then it’s time to change something, because chances are you’re not going to get very far if you don’t put your best foot forward. Remember: your resume is your chance to show off what you can do, and you need to make sure that you look your best. Dress appropriately, bring relevant samples, and make sure that you write a perfect resume.
And finally, when you’ve written your perfect resume, don’t forget to send it out into the big wide world.