6 min read

Make Resume Stand Out: A Beginner's Comprehensive Guide to Career Success

Graduate walking from college to company with resume.

A poorly crafted resume is akin to attending a job interview in beachwear!

In today's job market, many recruiters are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them sift through resumes. This means your Resume might get screened out before a recruiter even looks at it if it doesn't tick the right boxes. 

But don't worry! You don’t need experience to make a resume. Just tailor your Resume to match the job description, and using those all-important keywords, you can help ensure it passes those pesky ATS filters and shows off just how perfect you are for the role. 

Remember, this is just one of many problems to be aware of—there are plenty of other essential things to consider before sending out your Resume. Though resumes are now moving and implementing trends like digital Integration, personal branding, and visual elements, it is essential to learn how to make a resume and how to cover its basics before enhancing it. 

In this Blog, we will discuss some of the basics of a resume and how to make one!

Before we jump into the Blog, let's understand the importance of resume building with some statistical Information.

key statistics; blue pie chart representing impact of resumes
  • 77% of hiring managers say that typos or lousy grammar are instant deal-breakers. 
  • Recruiters spend an average of just 6 seconds reviewing an individual resume. 
  • Research by Jobscan indicates that 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS to screen resumes.
  • 54% of job seekers tailor their Resume for each application. Yet, only 26% believe this increases their chances of getting hired.
  • According to LinkedIn, skills-based hiring is on the rise, with 89%  of hiring managers stating that skills are more important than job titles. 

Understanding the Basics

A resume is like your professional summary. It's a document that showcases your work experience, skills, education, and achievements in a neat package. Think of it as your personal advertisement, giving potential employers a quick glimpse of what you bring to the table.

The purpose of a resume is to make a great first impression and convince employers that you're the right fit for the job. It's your ticket to landing an interview, where you can dive deeper into your experiences and qualifications. In short, a well-crafted resume opens doors and gets your foot in the professional world's door.

Key components of Resume

To make a resume that stands out, be sure to include these key components:

  1. Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.
  2. Objective Statement or Summary: A brief overview of your career goals or highlights.
  3. Work Experience: Your previous jobs, with titles, companies, dates, and key responsibilities.
  4. Education: Degrees, institutions, and graduation dates.
  5. Skills: A mix of hard and soft skills relevant to the job.
  6. Additional Sections: Optional details like certifications, volunteer work, or languages.

By covering these essentials, you'll present a clear and comprehensive picture of your professional qualifications.

Advanced Strategies to Make Your Resume Stand Out in 2024

infographic representing strategies to make resume

To make a resume that stands out in today's competitive job market, you need to go beyond basic resume editing. Though they are essential to be the professional differentiator and make a resume with no experience, consider these strategies:

  1. Right Layout and Design: When you create a resume, select a layout and design that are professional and align with your industry. A clean, well-organized structure with a balance of white space and text is essential.
  2. Simplicity and Readability: Make your Resume easy to read by using a clear font, bullet points, and concise language. Avoid clutter and focus on the most relevant information.
  3. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): To make your Resume ATS-friendly, use standard section headings, incorporate keywords from the job description, and save your document in a compatible format like PDF or Word.
  4. Customize for Different Job Applications: Tailor your Resume for each job application by highlighting experiences and skills that are most relevant to the position. This demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit for it.
  5. Incorporate Keywords from Job Descriptions: When you make a resume, use keywords and phrases from the job description throughout your document. This helps you pass through ATS filters and shows that your qualifications match the job requirements.
  6. Highlight Relevant Experience and Skills: Focus on showcasing your achievements and skills that directly relate to the job you're applying for. Use quantifiable results and specific examples to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.

By implementing these strategies, you can make a resume that not only showcases your qualifications effectively but also increases your chances of getting noticed by employers and passing through ATS filters.

Avoiding Pitfalls: Key Mistakes to Dodge When Making Your Resume

When making your Resume, steer clear of these common blunders to ensure it shines:

  1. Overlooking Keywords: Neglecting to include relevant keywords from the job description can make your Resume less likely to pass through ATS and grab the attention of hiring managers.
  2. Ignoring Customization: Failing to tailor your Resume for each job application can make it seem generic and less appealing to employers.
  3. Inconsistent Formatting: Inconsistency in font size, style, or layout can make your Resume appear unprofessional and difficult to read.
  4. Excessive Length: Trying to include too much information can make your Resume overly long and dilute its impact. Aim for conciseness and relevance.
  5. Including Irrelevant Information: Adding unrelated work experiences or personal details can distract from your qualifications and make your Resume less focused.
  6. Typos and Grammatical Errors: Simple mistakes can make your Resume seem careless and undermine your professionalism. Always proofread thoroughly.
  7. Neglecting Achievements: Focusing solely on job duties without highlighting your accomplishments can make your Resume less compelling to potential employers.
  8. Using Passive Language: Passive language can make your Resume less dynamic. Use action verbs to describe your experiences and achievements.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make your Resume more effective and increase your chances of making a great impression on potential employers.

Perfecting Your Resume: Essential Final Touches

As you make your Resume, these final touches are crucial to ensure it's polished and professional:

  1. Proofreading and Editing: Carefully review your Resume for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. A clean, error-free document is essential to make a good impression.
  2. Getting Feedback: Seek input from experienced mentors or industry professionals. Their insights can help you make your Resume more impactful and tailored to your desired role.
  3. Correct Format: Make sure to save and send your Resume in a format that's compatible with the employer's requirements, typically as a PDF or Word document. This ensures it can be easily opened and read by the hiring manager.
  4. Using Online Tools: Consider using online tools like getCREDIBLE to enhance your Resume. These platforms can provide additional features and guidance to make your Resume stand out and showcase your credibility.

By incorporating these final touches, you can make your Resume more polished, effective, and ready to impress potential employers.

Introduce getCREDIBLE

getCREDIBLE is revolutionizing professional self-presentation with its cutting-edge digital resumes. The platform's standout feature, the 'Slate,' is a dynamic, evolving document that keeps pace with your career progress, ensuring your profile stays current and accurately showcases your skills.

Key highlights include a real-time update digital Slate, AI-enhanced milestones to spotlight critical achievements, a feedback system for continuous enhancement, and intuitive management tools for crafting a compelling professional narrative.

Conclusion

Creating a compelling resume objective is essential for making a solid impression on interviewers and communicating your job aspirations. It assists them in determining if your goals match the position you've applied for.

Platforms like getCREDIBLE are instrumental in highlighting your resume objective, skills, and accomplishments to prospective employers.

Register with getCREDIBLE today to begin utilizing its innovative features, ensuring your resume objective is effectively showcased to make a lasting impact.

Frequently Asked Questions 

  1. Can you make a resume if you have no experience ?
  • You don’t need experience to make a resume. Just tailor your Resume to match the job description and using those all-important keywords, you can help ensure it passes those pesky ATS filters and shows off just how perfect you are for the role. 
  1. How do I write CV for my first Job?
  • Personal Details
  • Objective
  • Education
  • Skills
  • Relevant Experience
  • Extracurricular Activities
  • References (if requested)
  1. What skills can I put on my cv? 
  • Communication Skills
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Problem-Solving
  • Time Management
  • Adaptability and Flexibility
  • Basic Computer Proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite)
  • Organizational Skills

Kavitha