With the Global Financial crisis upon us, it is becoming harder and harder to secure a new job. In these tough financial times it pays to put extra effort into your resume to make it stand out.
- Tailor your resume to the role you're applying for – it is better to send out two tailored applications that address the job requirements than ten general ones.
- Use key words in your resume – increasingly recruiters and large organisations are using specialist software to help them sort through the masses of resumes they receive. Such programs look for words and phrases commonly used by the type of candidate the employer wants.
- Always check your resume for spelling and grammar - or better still get someone else to check it for you. You’ll be surprised what they pick up.
- Highlight relevant skills, strengths and achievements – highlight key skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for and leave off those that aren’t.
- Don't lie, or embellish the truth - you will always get caught out and it will harm your credibility.
- Think creatively, get in front of potential employers with your own video - tech-savvy jobseekers, particularly generation Y’s are using webcams, camera phones, and online video-sharing sites to promote their talents and stand out from the crowd.
- Keep it short and sweet - don’t forget that keeping it simple is a key component of resume success. Set a two to five page limit and stick to it. Long-winded resumes that don’t get to the point increase the chances of your talents being overlooked and your resume being put in the ‘recycle bin’.