One of the most common questions we receive here at ResumeSpice is, “Does format really matter?” It’s been well established that recruiters don’t spend a lot of time screening resumes. So it’s crucial to keep their attention and it begins with the correct format. We don’t want you to lose out on your dream job due to resume formatting, so we’re here to tell you one format you should never use.
As a leading career and coaching service and provider of resume writing, cover letter help, interview prep, and LinkedIn help, ResumeSpice understands what employers are looking for in job applications.
Imagine…you found a job you’d be a perfect match for, you made sure your resume was polished and updated, and you applied for the job. But your phone isn’t ringing and you’re starting to wonder if your application was lost in the ether – or if you accidentally typed your phone number incorrectly.
If you can relate, you’re in the same situation as a lot of other professionals looking for work. While you can’t make recruiters call you, there are a few things you can do to market yourself to potential employers.
We’re not just talking about LinkedIn. We’re talking about every social media profile you have. Facebook. Twitter. Snapchat. Instagram.
When employers receive your application, the first thing they do is look at your resume. If you have all the right skills, the next step many will take is conduct an online search.
Before an interview is even granted, you’re being evaluated solely by what information is available about you online. It’s okay to go out with friends and it’s completely normal to experience hardships. Just don’t overshare on social media. A harmless photo at a friend’s house party, may not be viewed as such by a potential employer without context. If you have any doubts about whether or not something would be off-putting to potential employers, play it safe and don’t post.
You can get a major sense of what’s important to a company and to the role being advertised simply by looking at the job description.
Pick out keywords that seem to be important to the role and pepper your resume with them where they make sense. For example, if the role calls for someone with creative writing experience, you definitely want to use the words “creative writing” in your resume. Just be careful not overuse the keywords to the point of not sounding natural.
I know that you love quick-apply features offered by LinkedIn and Indeed.com. They’re excellent. But a big “however” is about to follow.
If the job description includes information within it about how to apply, you need to follow directions if you want a response. Even though that quick apply feature is staring you in the face, you’ll want to apply by the method the employer instructs. For example, if a prospective employer requests that to be considered, you must submit an application to a specific email address, along with your resume, cover letter, and work samples, clicking “quick apply” and not following directions will not position your candidacy favorably.
Maybe you want to change careers. Maybe you’ve been out of work for a while. Whatever your situation is, make sure you’re maximizing your potential to be noticed – in the right ways – by sticking to these simple, yet important suggestions.
If you would like personal career coaching services, contact us at ResumeSpice. As a leading career services company, we can assist you with the entire job search process – from writing a strong resume to preparing for interviews to ongoing career coaching.
Did you know that there’s such a thing as the “hidden” job market? These are job openings at companies that aren’t advertised to the general public. Sometimes, they’re filled internally. However, many times they’re also filled through networking, a recruitment agency, and other avenues. (more…)
Good news! You’ve completed the interview process and your potential new employer has now let you know that they will be running a background check. This likely means you’ve been shortlisted as one of the top candidates for the job.
A well-written resume can take hours to create and polish.
So it’s understandably discouraging when the document you spent hours crafting doesn’t make it past the dreaded applicant tracking system (ATS).
Your resume is your ticket into the hiring process, and a strong interview performance can keep you in the running. However, to get the offer, you must have solid professional references, which can sometimes include a letter of recommendation. In fact, it can make or break your chance of securing your dream job. (more…)
You have a polished resume and sharp interview skills. The trouble is, you just don’t have the time you need to conduct an effective job search. Sound familiar? If it does, let the team at ResumeSpice help with our job application service, JobApply.
Writing a resume is a delicate balance. When it comes to how long yours should actually be, you’ve probably heard the “one-page” rule. However, it’s not necessarily true and can actually wind up hurting your job search if you stick to it. Here’s why:
You cram too much information in.
If you’re desperately trying to stick to one-page during the resume writing process, chances are, your margins are going to be too narrow and fonts too small. As a result, hiring managers aren’t going to want to read your resume. They’re busy and need to be able to quickly and easily scan each one. If they require a magnifying glass to read yours, they’re likely going to skip it altogether.
You leave out vital information.
In an effort to pare down your resume to a page, you could be leaving out critical information; the kinds of details that would distinguish you from other candidates. That’s why you shouldn’t be solely focused on length. Instead, concentrate on highlighting what’s important and most relevant for the hiring manager to know about you. You might still need to edit; however, you have a lot more flexibility with two pages instead of one.
It makes you look inexperienced.
Hiring managers expect experienced professionals to have a resume that’s more than one page. They also expect it to look polished and professional, with plenty of white space and proper formatting. So if your resume is jam-packed and messy-looking on a single page, it’s not going to reflect well on you or your background.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. For instance, if you just launched your career or only have a couple of years of experience, your resume should be one-page long. Anything more than that will make you look presumptuous, or like you’re unwilling or unable to edit. Stick to a single page and use appropriate margins and a font size that’s reasonably easy to read. That means one-inch margins and at least an 11-point font. Hiring managers will notice and thank you for it.
Writing a compelling resume takes a lot of work. On top of content, you need to think about other details, like length. If you’d like professional help and advice with the process, turn to the experienced resume writers at ResumeSpice. Whether you need some quick feedback or a total overhaul, we can help. To learn more, call us today at 832.930.7378.
Most job seekers know that their resume is the most important part of their application packet. Having a subpar resume can easily land you in the discard pile, so it’s important to get it right the first time.
But, with the plethora of information available on how to write a resume, do you really need a resume writing service to handle the work for you? Some people feel confident handling the formation of their resume alone, while others would prefer the help of a professional. However, in many cases, you don't know what you don't know. There's a tremendous amount of advice online, but how much of it accurate information that you should be a following? A true resume expert can put you on the right path with techniques that actually work.
However, there are certain circumstances where choosing a resume writing service is a very smart move. Here are a few to consider.
When You’ve Been Off the Job Market
If it has been a while since you were a job seeker, it could be wise to work with a resume writing service. Why? Because the standards used to judge resumes have changed significantly over recent years and it can be hard to restructure your last resume based on current trends.
A professional resume writer understands the idiosyncrasies associated with these documents as well as how to make your information stand out from the crowd. They have often spent years studying the form and function of resumes, effectively giving them insider knowledge that you don’t possess.
When You Need Personalized Advice
Even if you have a general understanding about constructing resumes, that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t benefit from professional advice. If you have your dream job in your sights, working with a resume writing service can ensure the document is properly tailored to the position, upping your chances of scoring an interview.
Personalized advice can also be helpful if you are about to take a big step in your career. If you’ve recently finished a degree or gathered enough experience to make a leap forward, working with a resume writing service helps ensure you don’t miss any key details simply because you aren’t as familiar with what the upper-level hiring managers want to see.
Another instance when you can benefit from professional advice is in dealing with a gap in your career. Resume writing services understand how to minimize these deficiencies, allowing your resume to be viewed more favorably when it is reviewed.
When You’re Not Getting Results
If you’ve been sending your resume out for months and you haven’t landed an interview, then this could also be a sign you need a professional resume writer on your side. Sometimes, it’s hard to spot issues in your own writing, and having another set of eyes on your resume might allow issues to be more easily identified. Resume writing services can make important modifications to your resume, ensuring it makes the best impression possible and helping you score more interviews.
If you think you could benefit from some resume help, the team at Resume Spice wants to hear from you. Contact us today and see how our professional services and skilled consultants can provide the assistance you need to succeed.
You spend hours polishing your resume. You write and re-write until it’s just right. But have you wondered what HR looks for on a resume – and whether yours fits the bill or misses the mark?
If you have you’re certainly not alone, and we’re here to help. Below are some of the best resume tips to incorporate into your next round of edits, so you can get noticed and get a call for an interview.
Tip #1: Proper grammar and spelling.
If your resume is full of typos and weak grammar, your resume is going to wind up in the recycling bin, no matter how experienced you are. That’s why it’s vital that you proofread your resume multiple times and then ask a trusted friend or family member to do the same for you.
Tip #2: A successful track record.
When it comes to your professional resume, hiring managers want to know more than just your tasks and responsibilities. They want to find out about the contributions you’ve made and how they’ve impacted your past employers in a positive way. So, include accomplishments with each job title that you can quantify with percentages, time periods, dollar amounts, statistics, or in other ways.
Tip #3: A career progression that makes sense.
When hiring managers see a spotty work history, inconsistencies, or a lot of gaps on your professional resume, it’s going to detract from your ability to get the offer. Instead, when it comes to work history, employers look for a career progression that makes sense and has generally an upward trajectory.
Tip #4: The right skills and experience.
If a hiring manager is looking for an administrative assistant with five years of experience and you have one year, don’t expect a callback. Hiring managers are scanning resumes for skills and experience. And if you’re applying to jobs that you aren’t truly qualified for, you’re wasting their time and your own.
Tip #5: It’s easy to read.
Hiring managers are busy people. So, when it comes time for them to scan your resume (which is what they do), make it easy for them. Use bold-faced type for your past job titles and bullet out your tasks and responsibilities. Also, include plenty of white space and use a font size bigger than 10. Sending in a two-page resume is better than submitting one crammed with tiny type.
The bottom line? You might be the perfect fit for the job. But if you’re not keeping in mind the five tips above, then you might not be considered.
Next time you’re wondering what employers look for on a resume, turn to ResumeSpice. We have the answers you need so you can create a professional resume that gets results. Just call us today at 832.930.7378.
