How to Make Your Resume Stand Out


Everyone wants to believe that when they send a job application and resume to a prospective employer, someone on the receiving end painstakingly reviews the whole document.  After all, you spent hours and hours putting the job application together.  The reality to far different.  Chances are your job application and resume will only be given a cursory glance, so you need to make it count.  How do job application and resume writers produce a resume that stands out?  Job application writing is difficult enough and so you want to ensure you get your resume right. Here are our top tips.


NUMBER 1:  USE THE RIGHT LANGUAGE
Job application writers use certain kinds of verbs to describe their successes in previous jobs and how this will make them stand out.  Commonly referred to as “power verbs,” they included words such as "increased," "initiated," "resolved," and "improved.”  When describing your previous work, start off with these kinds of words. Reume writers know that power verbs go beyond simply stating your duties to emphasizing how you produced results.  Speaking of results…

NUMBER 2:  QUANTIFY YOUR PAST SUCCESSES

Numbers talk!  So, if you can provide some statistics to support your past achievements that will really make you stand out.  Good job application writers know that if you can show an increase in sales volume, profit margin, donations generated, savings on expenses, expanding memberships, grants secured, or something else, you will highlight the numeric value you can add to a company.  A statement like, “Developed a marketing plan that resulted in a 10% increase in donations received annually,” really speaks powerfully to your prospective employer.  

NUMBER 3:  HIGHLIGHT YOUR AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Ever been employee of the month?  Mention it.  Got any other formal awards? Top salesperson?  Most new clients?  Have you ever been selected, elected or recognized in some way?  Make sure you highlight it!  Good resume writers always highlight their successes.

NUMBER 4:  SHOW HOW YOU HAVE BEEN A TEAM PLAYER

Most organisations value leadership and teamwork very highly. When writing job descriptions of your previous jobs, try to include examples of how each job required you to demonstrate these skills. Job application writers incorporate words that show formal and informal leadership and teamwork, such as "led," "mentored," "drew consensus," "collaborated," and "sought input."

NUMBER 5: GET SOME HELP

If you need really want to nail your resume, then consider getting some professional help.  Red Tape Busters are specialists in resume writing and can help you produce a resume, cover letter and/or selection criteria that gets noticed. Visit http://www.redtapebusters.com/  for more information. Red Tape Busters are also specialists in providing the following services:
· Lobbying;
· Tender Writing;
· Grant Writing;
· Resumes/Job Applications;
· Organisational/Business Development.

Contact us today! Please also “friend” or “like” us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/RedTapeBustersShaneBowering, follow us on Twitter – Red Tape Busters or check us out on YouTube just search for Red Tape Busters.  

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