Are You Familiar With the Three R’s of Resume Writing?

Employers typically receive dozens, or even hundreds, of applications for every opportunity posted, so you have to make sure yours stands out from the crowd. Essentially your ticket to the job interview, your resume is the first impression you’ll make on a potential employer.

Many candidates mistakenly consider their resume a mere formality, when in reality it’s anything but that. If you’re not willing to put in the time and effort to polish this crucial document to perfection, there’s no need to waste your time — and the hiring manager’s — applying for the position.

Here’s a look at the three R’s of resume writing. If yours doesn’t reflect these standards, put your job search on pause and give it an overhaul.

1. Relevance

Tailoring your resume for each opportunity you apply to requires a lot of time and effort, but this is a step you can’t afford to skip. If you’ve been off the market for a while, you probably didn’t do this the last time you searched for jobs, but times have changed.

Taking the time to customize your resume for every job allows you to really drive your fit home to the reader. Hiring managers have a lot of resumes to read through and very little time, so if you connect the dots for them, you’ll increase your chances of landing an interview.

2. Results

Your resume isn’t a place where you want to leave the reader to their imagination, but that’s what happens when you list vague results. Numbers don’t lie, so quantifying your accomplishments is a must. For example, it sounds a whole lot better to say you can type 50 words per minute, than simply saying you’re a fast typist.

Putting the depth of your skills out on the table really drives your talent home. You’re much more likely to receive an interview invitation when the hiring manager sees exactly what you have to offer from the start.

3. Realism

Inflating your skills might help you get an interview, but you’ll lose in the long run. Effectively false advertising, you won’t get very far in your career by lying. If you don’t have all the required skills, be honest about it. Highlight what you do have to offer and explain what actions you’ll take to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

It’s much better to be turned down for a job because you don’t have the right skills, than to be caught in a lie after you’re hired. Gaining a reputation as a liar is difficult — if not impossible — to shake.

Ready to find a rewarding new opportunity in Northern Kentucky? PrideStaff Northern Kentucky is here to help you find the right fit for your skills and interests. Contact us today to learn more!