Effective Resume Writing Tips That Will Get You The Interview

Your resume and cover letter are the first things that a potential employer will see, so it's very important to make a good first impression. When a company places an advertisement for an open position, they are likely to receive hundreds of applications. Very few of these applicants will be asked to come in for an interview.

You need a few great resume writing tips to ensure that your resume makes it to the top of the pile.

1. Follow instructions. This may seem trivial, but the most important thing that you can do is to follow the instructions that the employers gives in the ad. If they say to attach your resume as a word file, don't copy and paste it into the body of an email. Things like this may seem trivial, but many employers do this as an initial test. If you don't follow the proper instructions, no one will even look at your resume.

2. One-page resume. Your resume should be one page long. Especially if you are under 40 years old. As you get older, you don't need to list every job you have ever had. If you are applying for a management position, there's no need to mention that you bartended your way through college. You'll end up looking silly.

3. Experience should be relevant. The experience that you are listing should be relevant to the job that you are applying for. If you are trying to enter a new industry, then highlight how your previous positions showcased the same skills that this employer is looking for.

4. Use powerful words and bullet points. A hiring manager is only going to spend a few seconds looking at your resume. You need to leave as good of an impression as possible. Bullets make it easier to read quickly. Powerful words make the employer think that you are extremely capable.

5. Use statistics. Whenever possible, use measurable statistics to prove your point. Don't just say that you "increased customer satisfaction", say that you "increased customer satisfaction by 50% in a 6 month period."
If you follow these resume writing tips and have a well-written cover letter, you should be getting interviews in no time.

There's fierce competition when looking for a new job. Many people are still looking for a job after unemployment benefits run out. Don't be one of them!

By  Jess McCulley