4 Steps to Creating a Standout Resume

Your objective as a job seeker should always be to create a resume that stands out from the pack in a way that encourages a hiring manager to call you for an interview.  There are a lot of great candidates out there that can make standing out a bit of a challenge, but since you bring so many skills to the table yourself, you simply need to create a resume that proves you’re interview-worthy.

1. Create a Standout Job Target

One of the best ways to ensure that your resume stands out from the pack is to create a memorable job target.  The job target works as a marketing tool—a headline that grabs the reader’s attention and encourages them to read on.  The target is usually only one sentence and works to sell you as a candidate.

An example of a job target may be: “Salesperson of the Year with 15 Years of Experience Targets Managerial Sales Position.”  Get creative with it, and see what attention-grabbing target you can come up with to make your resume stand out from the crowd.

2. Surprise the Company With Your Knowledge

Companies are accustomed to having candidates who have no knowledge of the organization apply for positions. So believe it or not, you could stand out as a candidate simply by showcasing your knowledge of the company.  This could be accomplished in your career summary section where you list the highlights of your professional life.

For instance, instead of simply stating that you were salesperson of the year, you could mention that you want to use your award-winning sales skills to help the company reach its goal of $15 million in revenue this year.  Learn this type of information by browsing the company’s website or searching for press releases.  Doing so could make a world of difference in helping you stand out from the pack.

3. Add a Few Testimonials

Instead of simply adding a reference sheet, consider adding some testimonials to your resume.  A resume testimonial works similarly to a product testimonial in that the person writing it is vouching for you.  Find a few people who have great things to say about you; even consider pulling some quotes from your LinkedIn page—with permission from those who recommended you—then add two or three sentences from two or three people to your resume.  You’d be surprised by how intriguing these kind words are to hiring managers.

4. Link to an Industry-Related Blog

Finally, consider starting a professional blog that discusses serious aspects of your field.  Employers love to see candidates who are serious about their industry, so what better way to show you’re serious than dedicating time to a blog?  Just don’t forget to add a link to that blog on your resume.

Sometimes it can be challenging to determine effective ways to stand out from strong competition in a job search.  But by creating a standout resume, you’re well on your way to fulfilling your goal.

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