What Are Employers Looking For In A Resume?
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Did you know that the average job seeker sends out 21-80 applications before receiving an offer?
Of course, sometimes this is beyond your control. For example, you may be one of one hundred applicants for a role, or be less experienced than another candidate. However, there are certain factors that you can control, such as the quality of your resume/CV. As a result, and to avoid burnout during a job search, you must know exactly what employers are looking for in a resume. This could include:
Buzz words
Hiring managers will often detail precisely what they are looking for in the job description itself, particularly in the section where they describe their “ideal employee”. This section will often feature a range of buzz words such as experienced, motivated, and creative. As a result, you should go through the job description and highlight these keywords/phrases and ensure they find their way onto your CV. This helps to prove to the hiring manager you are right for the role!
Formatting.
In some cases, the formatting of your CV is just as (if not more) important than the content. This is because hiring managers usually only spend 15-20 seconds on a resume they believe is poorly structured, formatted, or hard to read. As a result, you should ensure you select a user-friendly format. Alternatively, you could use one of these professional resume templates. This will ensure you cover all of the necessary bases clearly and concisely., giving you the best chance of success.
Transferable skills
Many job applications will list a range of necessary/essential skills that hiring managers will use to narrow down the applicant pool when hiring new employees. However, this does not mean that other, transferable skills should not be featured on your CV, as they still speak to your professionalism and credibility.
Furthermore, many businesses are crying out for in-demand skills such as analytical reasoning, AI skills, affiliate marketing, and emotional intelligence. As a result, you should have a separate section set up on your resume where you list 10-15 key skills. Try to include a mixture of those in the job description and transferable ones you think will be particularly useful in this role.
A willingness to learn
You may be tempted to lie in your resume (this is something that 40% of people admit to). However, while you may get away with this for a little while, you will regret this later should you be assigned a task that you find impossible to complete without asking for outside help or assistance.. As a result, you should be honest when putting together your resume. If there are any noticeable gaps, explain why you took a break. You should also demonstrate a willingness to learn in your CV - such as by detailing any extra classes or courses you have signed up for. This shows an employer that you’re always willing (and eager) to develop new skills that will not only further your own career but improve the company too.