By: Lauren Haag, Account Executive for What’sPoppin
Image Credit: Etsy
Creating a resume can be pretty daunting, especially when there are so many rules and guidelines to keep in mind. Beyond this, it is critical to regularly update and revamp your resume. The following tips will help to make your resume stand out from the rest of the pile.
1. Make two (if applicable)
If you are in a position where you could be applying for a public relations and a graphic design position, having two resumes would be very beneficial. You may be wondering what the difference is between the two. For a PR application, a clean black and white resume would suffice; however, for a creative position the possibilities are endless. Adding colors or a personal logo will demonstrate your creativity and set you apart from other applicants.
2. “Do I need an objective?”
Objectives really boil down to personal preference. If you’ve ever had your resume reviewed by a professional within your field, you may have received conflicting feedback. Many positions require cover letters which in a nutshell contain your objective and why you are seeking a particular position.
3. Customize It
When you are applying for a job, omitting irrelevant information or previous jobs may be beneficial. By choosing not to include past experiences that are unrelated, you will free up some room to add the most vital information.
4. Add hobbies
Hobbies, if nothing else, create talking points in an interview. You only have a short amount of time to impress your employer and a fun fact about yourself can do just that! I’ve heard from many professionals that they have hired certain people for client accounts based on their hobbies and interests.
5. Don’t be afraid to use numbers
Incorporating numbers or statistics within your resume will show potential employers the tangible work you have completed. For example, stating that you helped grow your client’s social media by a certain percentage is something that will be unique from other resumes.
6. Format
This may come as no surprise, but format is a factor that should not be overlooked. Pay close attention to spacing and font size because they can make or break your resume. In the end, you can never go wrong with a clean and well organized resume.
7. Get a second and third opinion
If you are still unsure about your resume- get another opinion! Attend resume workshops or have a friend read over it. Most likely, there are countless resources around you that can help to improve your resume. Although you will receive a lot of feedback as to what your resume should look like, personal preference is very important!
