Maximizing Your Skills and Achievements on Your Resume
Your resume is your first chance to impress a potential employer, so it’s important to make sure it showcases all of your skills and achievements. Here are some tips to help you maximize your resume:
Identify Your Skills
Before you start writing your resume, take some time to identify your skills. This could include technical skills, interpersonal skills, or even skills you’ve developed outside of the workplace. Make a list of your skills to help you identify which ones to highlight on your resume.
- Technical skills: List any software, programming languages, or other technical skills you have.
- Interpersonal skills: These might include communication, teamwork, leadership, or customer service skills.
- Outside skills: Even if these skills were developed outside of the workplace, they can still be an asset. For example, if you’re a blogger or videographer, you may have skills in writing, editing, or graphic design.
Showcase Your Achievements
Employers want to see what you’ve accomplished in your previous roles, so be sure to showcase your achievements on your resume. This not only shows what you’re capable of, but it also demonstrates the value you can bring to a potential employer.
- Quantify your achievements: Use numbers or percentages to show the impact you had in your previous roles. For example, “Increased sales by 25%” or “Managed a team of 10 employees.”
- Show results: Employers want to see results. Highlight any projects or initiatives you’ve led that have had a positive impact on your team or company.
- Highlight relevant achievements: Make sure your achievements are relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a sales role, focus on achievements related to sales.
Use Action Words
Using action words on your resume not only adds a sense of urgency and purpose, but it also makes your resume more engaging. While you might be tempted to use generic words like “managed” or “led,” using more specific action words can make a big difference.
- Words for problem-solving: Analyzed, identified, resolved, improved, optimized.
- Words for leadership: Directed, guided, managed, mentored, coached.
- Words for communication: Collaborated, presented, negotiated, mediated, translated.
Customize Your Resume
Your resume should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. This means customizing your resume to highlight the skills and achievements most relevant to the role. It’s important to read the job description carefully and use keywords from the description when highlighting your own experience.
Customizing your resume shows that you’ve taken the time to understand the job and that you’re truly interested in the position.
Proofread Your Resume
Last but certainly not least, proofread your resume. Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, or typos can often be the deciding factor in whether or not you get an interview. Ask a friend or colleague to review your resume, too. A fresh set of eyes can often spot mistakes you might have missed.
Take some time to review and revise your resume. By showcasing your skills and achievements and customizing to the job you’re applying for, you’ll have a much better chance of standing out to potential employers!