Improve Your Resume Success Rate with These Tips

According to Zety, the average corporate job offer will attract more than 250 resumes. Of all those candidates, only 4 to 6 will get an interview.

Not surprisingly, the application process can be incredibly competitive. And recruiters have little time to review resumes before deciding who they will offer an interview to. Thus, it is important that you do everything you can to ensure your resume stands out.

The following are four simple tips that will help improve your resume success rate.

1.     Use resume keywords

As you may already know, the application process for many employers has become increasingly automated. Many companies now use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to quickly filter out applicants and resumes that do not meet certain criteria.

Because ATS uses algorithms that reward (and punish) the usage of particular words and phrases, you want to make sure to use the correct verbiage in your resume.

Here is a tip to find the right resume keywords for your application. You can use the job ad as a cheat sheet or google keywords for the industry you are applying to. Then, use those words throughout your resume.

2.     Use qualified achievements

Qualifying your achievements means showing, not telling, your achievements. When you qualify an achievement, you offer supporting evidence and examples that back up your claims that you possess a certain skill or succeeded in a specific endeavor.

For example, rather than writing that you increased consumer engagement via social media, you should explain that you increased the number of social media interactions by 30 percent over a one-month period with a targeted campaign.

3.     Include a narrative

Always make sure that your resume tells a story.  A recruiter who picks up your resume should be able to tell from your work experience and education not only that you are qualified for the position, but that you have worked towards this position.

Many people simply include all their work history, which does not always show a linear career path. Do your best to include the experiences that tie into your desired position and how you have grown along the way. Even if your jobs do not directly tie into the position you are applying for, try your best to highlight experiences or accomplishments that are relevant.

4.     Add more sections to your resume

Many resumes offer the same, rote recitation of work experience and education. You can improve your resume and help it stand out by including other information. For example, you could add volunteer experience to your resume or interesting hobbies that tie directly into the position or relate to the organization or employer as a whole.

Bonus Tip: Customize your resume

No two of your applications should be exactly alike. The keywords will differ between position, employer, and industry. So too will the narrative you create for each application. Always make sure each application is tailored to the employer and position you are seeking.  Simply sending out a standard resume to each potential employer is a sure way to face lots of rejection.

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