10 Tips to Amp Up Your Resume

Say you find an exciting new opportunity on the ADVANCE Healthcare Jobs website. Right away, the questions start swirling in your head. How many people have applied to this position? And more importantly, how do I get my resume noticed over all the others?

The job market has become very competitive, so it’s more important than ever to make your resume stand out from your competition. Follow these 10 tips to amp up your resume and leave an unforgettable impression on your future employer.

1. Pick the best type of resume for your situation. Are you applying to a job within your field? If so, you should write a chronological resume showcasing your previous employers and accomplishments. On the other hand, if you’re applying to a position in a different field, a skill-based resume that highlights the relevant experience you obtained from education, employment and hobbies is ideal. Are you seeking a high-level position in academia or a research field? Then a curriculum vitae (CV) would be the best fit. This type of detailed synopsis features your areas of interest, accomplishments, published works, presentations and associations.
2. Write a professional profile instead of an objective statement. Most employers prefer a professional profile since it illustrates the value you’ll bring to the organization. It also gives you the perfect platform to summarize your experience and areas of expertise.
3. Match your resume to the job description. Focus on relevant accomplishments in your resume that pertain to the specific position you’re looking at and remove ones that aren’t applicable. Reorganize your lists so the most relevant items appear at the top. That’s where recruiters will be looking first and what they’re most likely to remember later on.
4. Target your accomplishments rather than duties. Numbers are excellent ways to showcase achievements. Instead of writing “implemented electronic records system” on your resume, get more specific. Put something like “implemented electronic records system that reduced costs by $2 million.”
5. Write a keyword-friendly resume. Since agencies and human resources receive so many resumes, they often rely on software that searches for keywords to find qualified candidates. Placing the right keywords can make your resume jump to the top of the pile. What keywords should you include? First, look at the job description to identify the terms and phrases that appear most frequently. Then, use spelled-out and abbreviated versions of each one. For example, if you’re applying to an RN position, you want to use both “registered nurse” and “RN” in your resume. Some employers may search for either keyword, so you want to have both scenarios covered.
6. Add professional achievements and special skills. Set yourself apart by listing the career-related highlights that have made your journey unique, such as awards, associations, publications, honors, committees, foreign languages, computer expertise, etc. This section is even more important if you’re building a curriculum vitae.
7. Make your resume the appropriate length. The size of your resume should be based on your experience. If you’re a new grad, your resume should only be one page. A seasoned professional can have up to two full pages. And a curriculum vitae can easily be four or more pages since it offers a more detailed synopsis.
8. Proofread multiple times. Review your resume for grammatical errors and typos. Then slowly read through it again to double check that everything is correct. It’s also a good idea to ask one of your trusted colleagues to look over your resume for mistakes.
9. Update your LinkedIn account. Take the accomplishments you listed on your resume, add them to your LinkedIn account and expand on them however you see fit now that you aren’t limited by a page count. Employers are likely to look there to learn more about your career and your qualifications. They’ll also be checking out the professionals in your network, so don’t forget to add people you currently work with, as well as those you’ve worked with in the past.
10. Send your resume to the right people. If you saw a posting on a job board like ADVANCE Healthcare Jobs, you should apply directly to that position through that job board. It’s the easiest way to do it, and it also ensures that your resume is going to the appropriate contact. However, if you find an opportunity some other way, you should send your resume directly to the company. Most ads include specific instructions on who to contact, but you can also track down the right email address by going to the company’s website or LinkedIn page.

By following these tips, your resume will get noticed and you’ll shine among rival job seekers. Good luck in finding your next opportunity!