10 Resume Tips to Help You Slay Corporate Recruiters and Create an Amazing Resume
You’ve honed in your resume 5, 10, or 50 times, yet you’re still not getting the attention you deserve from corporate recruiters, which is why you need these 10 resume tips.
Want a killer resume that will slay corporate recruiters like a corporate-style Buffy the Vampire Slayer… without the actual killing?
Read on and use these 10 resume tips to slay, -er attract recruiters:
Start slaying with these 10 resume tips:
1. Tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for.
Buffy doesn’t just go on the prowl and attack some random zombie. No, she’s looking for vampires, and she knows EXACTLY what tools she needs to slay a vampire.
Similarly, you don’t want to send out the same resume to every single job. Take the time to read the job description carefully and tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.
2. Use keywords throughout your resume.
1990s Buffy never would have worried about the ‘ol internet keywords, but 2020s Buffy would need a slightly different approach, and so will you.
When you’re applying for jobs online, your resume will likely be scanned by applicant tracking systems (ATS) for keywords that are relevant to the job opening. Make sure you include relevant keywords throughout your resume so that your resume gets noticed by ATS and human eyes alike.
3. Use strong action verbs and results-oriented language.
Buffy would never have dreamed of trying to slay a vampire without taking action. You too will need to prove to corporate recruiters that you can take action in the job you’re applying for, and it starts by explaining the actions you took in prior roles.
When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs and results-oriented language to highlight your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying “I was responsible for managing a team of 10 employees,” say “I led a team of 10 employees to achieve a 20% increase in sales.”
4. Quantify your results whenever possible.
While she didn’t usually brag about her kill numbers, you KNOW Buffy kept count. Results often speak for themselves.
Whenever possible, quantify your results to show the impact of your work. For example, instead of saying “I increased sales,” say “I increased sales by 20%.”
5. Use white space effectively.
Buffy doesn’t just go and slay vampires without considering her surroundings. That’s a good way to get ambushed.
…
Alright, fine, I know that’s not always true… SOMETIMES Buffy just goes in and does her thing without thinking, but you can still do better.
A well-formatted resume is easy to read and scan. Use white space to break up your text and make your resume visually appealing.
6. Use a professional font and font size.
She might be a professional Vampire Slayer, but Buffy still knows how to dress the part. Similarly, your resume deserves a professional touch.
Use a professional font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and a font size of 10-12 points.
7. Proofread carefully.
Mistakes are costly for a Vampire Slayer. A mistake could even cost the life of a friend. Thankfully, a resume mistake will only cost you a job at worst, but it’s still worth avoiding.
Typos and grammatical errors can make you come across as unprofessional. Make sure you proofread your resume carefully before submitting it with a job application.
8. Get feedback from others.
Buffy might be a professional Vampire Slayer, but she still relies on her friends for support. Over time, she learns that she can’t do it all alone.
Ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to review your resume and give you feedback. They may be able to spot errors that you missed and offer suggestions for improvement.
9. Use a resume builder or template.
Even Buffy has a Watcher to give her knowledge, tools, and resources to do better in her role as a Vampire Slayer.
If you’re not sure how to format your resume, there are a number of resume builders and templates available online that can help you get started.
Psst… want to use my resume template? Here you can find my free resume template and CV template. You’ll need to go to File -> Make a Copy to edit your own.
10. Update your resume regularly.
Buffy always brushes up on her skills so that she can stay sharp and get even better at slaying vampires.
Similarly, your resume should be a living document that you update regularly to reflect your changing skills and experience.
Follow these 10 resume tips to polish your latest resume and you’ll be sure to slay corporate recruiters like no other, increasing your chances of getting the job you want.
Other resume tips to consider
In addition to the tips above, here are a few more things to keep in mind when writing your resume:
Be clear and concise
Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have a lot of time to read your resume, so make sure you get to the point and highlight your most relevant skills and experience.
Be honest
Don’t exaggerate your skills or experience. Doing so can come at a steep cost down the road.
Be professional
Your resume should be free of typos, grammatical errors, and personal information.
Be unique
Don’t just copy and paste the same resume for every job you apply for. Take the time to tailor your resume to each specific job opening.
In today’s competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to make your resume stand out. With so many qualified candidates applying for each job opening, you need to find a way to make your resume catch the eye of hiring managers and recruiters.
By following these tips, you can write a resume that will help you stand out from the competition and land the job you want.
Think a master slaying resume will FIRE Your Career? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.
FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.