Your resume is not about you. Sure, it has your name at the top and it traces your career progression. But to serve its true purpose – securing you a great job – it can’t be a mere autobiography.
Instead, experts say, your resume should be a mirror, one designed to reflect the ideal candidate for the open position you seek.
What hiring managers are looking for is evidence that applicants’ skills will help meet the company’s goals. So when considering what to include on a resume, don’t just list a summary of qualifications like job titles, dates and duties.
“A resume needs to clearly convey what you can do for employers,” says Katherine Akbar, president of Your Edge for Success, a writing and career services company based in the District of Columbia region. “The biggest mistake that people make is only talking about what they have done and failing to show the benefit they have provided.”
Here’s how to turn your resume into an irresistible reflection by packing it with direct explanations and subtle clues about your career skills.
Do Your Homework
It’s fussy and time-consuming, but the secret to job-hunting success is tailoring your resume to every single position you apply for, says Heather Barker, director of human resources for oil and gas company TGS.
Each employer looks for a unique combination of skills and experience, and you should do your best to align your resume with the profile of each company’s ideal candidate (while remaining honest, of course). To figure out this profile, read the job advertisement thoroughly.
Additionally, employers want to hire people who understand the company culture and share its values. To discern these details, check out the company’s website and social media accounts and talk to current or former employees.
Include Keywords in Your Skills Section
Many companies run job seekers’ resumes through applicant tracking systems designed to search for specific keywords. Resumes that don’t contain these magic words are automatically discarded.