10 Tips to Make Your Resume Stand Out from the Rest

A resume is a crucial tool for job seekers. It outlines your education, work experience, skills, and quantifiable achievements. A well-written resume will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of success.

Here are 10 tips for creating a solid resume:

1. Start with a strong summary statement. This should be a brief overview of your professional achievements and the value and experience you can provide to the company.

2. Use a clear, easy-to-read format. Choose a professional font and use bullet points effectively to organize your information. Use bolded headings to break up the text on your resume and make it easier to read through.

3. Tailor your resume to each job you are applying for. Highlight your relevant skills and experience to the position and company you are applying to. Use keywords from the job posting to make it easier for the employer to see that you are a good fit. Not all companies use keyword searches, but err on the side of caution and include keywords in your resume.

4. Keep your resume concise. Aim for 1–2 pages unless you have a lot of relevant experience or education. Focus on the relevant information and leave out unnecessary details unrelated to the job. If you are applying for a position at the C-Suite level, more than 1–2 pages are acceptable.

5. Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities for previous positions. This will make your resume more dynamic and more easily display what you are capable of.

6. Proofread your resume! Make sure your resume is error-free, as mistakes can be a red flag to recruiters and employers. Spellcheck is your friend; use it. Have a friend or colleague read over your resume; a fresh set of eyes can catch mistakes and provide feedback.

There are a variety of tools to help with spelling and grammar. Grammarly is my favorite tool; it's free and can help make your sentences more concise.

7. Include any relevant volunteer work. If you include this information, elaborate on what you did and how it is appropriate. Do not simply note volunteer work and dates. Employers want to see how everything you do can be applied to the job you are applying on.

8. Include your education near the top of your resume. List your degree(s), major, and any relevant projects. If you have a high GPA or graduated with honors, you can include this in entry to mid-level positions only.

9. Consider including certifications or registrations to professional bodies you have received (e.g., PEng, CPHR, CPA, etc.). This will demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development.

10. Always keep your resume up to date. Update your resume as you gain new skills and experience with your current position.

If you follow these tips, you can create and update your resume to be strong and effective to stand out from the competition and land the job you want.

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