Do you read through your resume and think “dull’? If so, it could be a problem because hiring managers want more than technical skills. They are reading between the lines to see some personality too – so they can evaluate whether you’re the right fit for their organization.
Yet infusing personality is a balancing act. You don’t want to go too far and portray yourself in a negative light, hurting your chances of getting an interview. Instead, consider the following tips to add personality the right way.
Decide What Personality Traits to Highlight
The job listing will be your guide in identifying the personality traits you should showcase on your resume. Read through it and try to get a sense of what’s important for the position and the employer.
Also do some digging online, reading through the company’s website, social media profiles, news articles, and any other information that can shed some light into what personality traits are important to the company. Make a list of a few that you can tie to your own personality and include on your resume.
Don’t Say What You Are; Show What You Do
For instance, if working well under pressure is important for the job, don’t simply state that you “work well under pressure” on your resume. Anyone can claim this and it’s difficult for a hiring manager to verify.
Instead, use a specific example to show how you work well when the pressure is on. For instance, say something like “Met 50+ monthly deadlines for the planning and implementation of online marketing strategy.” This shows that you’re able to juggle pressure and meet deadlines on the job.
Use Simple Words
Don’t use business jargon or overly complicated words to get your personality across. Instead, keep it simple when it comes to your language and write like a human, not a robot.
For instance, skip words like “utilized” instead opt for “use.” Remember, this document should be easy to scan and reader friendly, so choose the simplest, clearest language. If you use overly complicated words to describe yourself and your abilities, you might come off as dry, boastful, or both.
Focus On the Positives
When it comes to personality traits, make sure you are painting them in a positive light. For instance, if you think you’re stubborn, don’t say that on your resume. Rather, talk about how you’re resilient and persistent on the job. Using the right words and phrases is key, so that you’re putting your best foot forward and not scaring off employers by showing too much personality.
Some other examples of personality traits that employers like to see include ambition, humility, creativity, dependability, adaptability, and flexibility.
Leave Out the Negatives
Everyone has personality traits that could be perceived as a weakness. Just make sure in whatever you say about your personality, that you don’t potentially leave the wrong impression with the hiring manager.
If you’re not sure after you write your resume, ask for a second opinion. Give it to a trusted friend or family member to see what they think. If they see something off, then remove it. It’s not worth taking the risk. A few negative personality traits to avoid discussing include being stubborn, controlling, judgmental, critical, pessimistic, and rebellious.
Share Your LinkedIn Profile
You know hiring managers are going to Google you if they’re interested in interviewing you. You might as well put your social media profiles front and center and use them to reflect your personality.
Before you do, though, audit your profile to ensure it paints you in a positive light and best reflects your personality traits. It might seem scary to send a hiring manager right to social media. However, they’re going to find you anyway. By opening the door and welcoming them in, it could make the difference between you and another candidate who’s more evasive.
Dig Deeper In Your Cover Letter
If you’re having a hard time infusing personality into your resume, then focus on the facts there and tell more of a story in your cover letter. This is where you dig a little deeper into who you are, what you do, and key accomplishments you’d like to highlight.
In whatever you do on your resume in terms of adding personality, keep it short and simple. Even if you think you wrote the world’s greatest resume and it’s now three pages, pare it down. The hiring manager only takes a few seconds to scan every resume and you don’t want them to skip yours because it’s too long. Offer up just enough to get them interested, so they call you.
Do You Need Help Putting Some Personality Into Your Resume?
Turn to the professionals at ResumeSpice. We’re here for you with resume writers who know how to craft winning resumes and cover letters that showcase who you are – and why a company would want to hire you. Ready to get started? Simply reach out at 832.930.7378 or contact us online.
