When you write your resume, the last thing you want is for it to blend in with all the other job seekers’ resumes. Using standard templates and overused phrases can cause this to happen. Just inserting your name into a basic resume that makes you seem like a jack-of-all-trades but master of none can hurt your job search. Instead, focus on adding details that help you stand out from the competition and show why you’re a great match for the job. But what kind of details should you include?
Your Accomplishments
What you’ve accomplished in your work history is one of a kind. No one else has the same experiences or successes as you. Use measurable data to showcase the impact you’ve had. Demonstrate to hiring managers the results you can deliver by emphasizing key projects you contributed to or initiatives you led. Reflect on what you’re most proud of in your career and what makes you stand out from others.
Your Skills
While you may have similar skills as someone else in your field, you probably also have some talents that they may not. Consider your academic training and professional development, but also those skillsets you have built along the way. Did you take a winding path to get where you are today that allowed you to work on more diverse projects or assignments? Are you making a career transition where you can bring transferable skills from your previous profession? Look at the bigger picture and how you can take the job to the next level. Make sure your core competencies section includes not just keywords from the job description, but also other desirable abilities that show your potential.
Your Experience
The places you have worked and projects that you have done are also unique to you. It is highly unlikely that another applicant will have come up via the exact same path. Have experience working for a Fortune 500 or leader in the industry? Make sure it’s noted. Trying to get in with a startup and have previous startup or entrepreneurial experience? That can make you more attractive to potential employers.
Your Involvement
Many employers appreciate seeing volunteer experience or involvement with professional associations. It shows that you’re active outside the workplace and are passionate about giving back or helping others. If you’ve spent the past five years working with Big Brothers Big Sisters or are on the board of a professional organization, don’t be afraid to add it to your resume. This can show you as a more well-rounded candidate.
Customizing your resume so that it not only aligns with the job opening but also reflects you as an individual is important. You don’t want to be just like everyone else applying with nothing to set you apart – which is one of the hazards of a generic resume.