by ResumeSpice Consultant | Sep 30, 2022 | Resume Writing
When it comes to the skills on your resume, they generally fall into two categories: hard or soft skills. Employers are interested in seeing a mix that are most relevant to the job.
However, if you’re not really sure what these are or which are important to highlight on your resume, here’s what to know.
Hard vs. Soft Skills
Hard skills are technical skills that are related to your ability to do a job. These can be gained through education, courses, training, seminars, and on-the-job experience. Generally, these can also be measured in specific ways, so they are easier to spot and evaluate during the hiring process.
In manufacturing, for instance, a hard skill would be knowing how to operate a forklift. In IT, it would be understanding how to code a website. For office management positions, on the other hand, a hard skill would be knowing how to create and analyze spreadsheets
Soft skills are less tangible. These are personality traits that help people thrive in certain positions and with other people. They can include anything from communication and collaboration skills to motivation and work ethic, organizational skills, being detail-oriented and more.
In recent years, employers are looking more and more at soft skills. While technical skills are always important for a role, companies are recognizing that soft skills are also critical to the success of their team.
It’s why, when you’re in the midst of the hiring process, a company might have you take a personality or psychometric test to assess your attributes and personality traits. This can help them find out how you will react in certain situations, so they can decide who will be the best fit candidate for the position.
What Soft Skills to Focus On
The soft skills that are important to list on your resume depend on the specific job and company. If you’re not sure, do some research. Go back and re-read the job posting. Also review the company’s website, social media profiles, and any news articles you can find. This should give you some clarity on which soft skills the company finds important.
In general, some key soft skills employers are interested in are:
Each day, different challenges come your way. Being able to remain flexible and calm, adapt, and come up with a solution – without a lot of hand holding – is key for many companies. Other similar soft skills that are important to employers include creative thinking and organizational and planning skills.
No matter what industry you work in, demonstrating a positive attitude can deliver a variety of benefits to a company. Those who deliver a constant stream of negativity instead can deplete energy, motivation and morale. However, those with a quiet sense of optimism and a positive attitude are those who can turn setbacks around and remain motivated.
Employers want to hire people who can handle challenges and changes on a routine basis. This generally comes down to an individual’s ability to tolerate and cope with stress. When the ground under your feet starts to shift, how do you react? When you can tolerate an obstacle and recover quickly, you’ll be more successful on the job. Other similar traits that are desirable include adaptability and resourcefulness.
- Collaboration & Communication
The ability to work well with others and communicate effectively, both in person and via writing, are other examples of highly sought-after soft skills. Can you work with a dynamic team of diverse people with different perspectives? Are you able to persuade others to see your side on a matter? Or can you empathize with those you might not agree with? These are all traits that can help you remain calm and carry on in the office.
How to List Soft Skills On Your Resume
When it comes to soft skills, these can be trickier to list on your resume. Saying you’re a “team player” is vague and generic. Any candidate can claim to be a good collaborator. However, if this soft skill is key to a particular position, show rather than tell.
For instance, explain a certain project or problem you were able to solve using your collaboration skills and what the outcome was. Sharing these kinds of successes will give a hiring manager confidence you have what it takes to succeed in the role.
You can discuss these in different sections of your resume, such as the “Summary of Qualifications” at the top. You can also highlight them in your “Work History” if a certain soft skill was particularly important for your current role or a past position. If you possess a rare soft skill, be sure to also talk about it on your cover letter in more detail.
Get Professional Resume Help from ResumeSpice
At ResumeSpice, we have a team of professional resume writers who can help you highlight all the right skills on your resume, including soft and hard skills. We’ll help you craft a resume and cover letter that gets you noticed – and delivers results. Ready to get started? Simply reach out at 832.930.7378 or contact us online.
by ResumeSpice Consultant | Sep 16, 2022 | Resume Writing
Whatever industry you work in or your professional level of experience you have, computers are a part of everyday work life. While you might not need advanced skills, most jobs do require at least some level of proficiency in both hardware and software skills. So what’s the difference?
Hardware skills involve understanding how to operate a computer. At higher levels and in more technical fields, it might involve troubleshooting issues or changing or fixing broken parts. However, even at the most basic position, it includes knowing how to turn a computer or other device on and off and use it properly.
Software skills, on the other hand, are those skills that revolve around actual applications and programs. If you don’t know what a particular employer uses, they will generally train you on their different software systems. This is part of the onboarding process. If, though, you’re able to demonstrate experience and proficiency in a software system they already use, this can help set you apart from other candidates.
Bottom line? Whether you work in IT, or in manufacturing, law, medicine, food service, hospitality, customer service, or a different industry, you need computer skills on your resume.
Which are the most sought-after computer skills employers look for? Here’s a look at the top 5.
#1: MS Office or G Suite
Most companies use Microsoft Office or G Suite in some capacity, so being proficient in one or both of these will help you get up and running faster on the job. This includes applications like Google Docs, or Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
If you’re applying for positions in administration or as an office manager, for instance, then these programs will be even more important to highlight on your resume or in your cover letter. Likewise, if you’ll be working in sales or another position in which making presentations or reporting data are important, then proficiency in programs, like Excel and PowerPoint, or Google Spreadsheets, will be key.
#2: Communication Tools
Whether a company uses Slack, Skype, Meetup or Zoom, experience with these programs will help position you as a strong candidate. If the position is telecommute, hybrid or remote, then highlighting your knowledge in these areas is especially important. Likewise, if the job description lists one of these, such as Slack, then including your experience with this application will help increase your chance of getting a call for an interview.
#3: Accounting Programs
Other programs that are important to know for certain finance-related positions include FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Sage50, Zoho Books, or Xero. Whether you’re an accountant, office manager, or accounts payable assistant, knowing one or more of these will be helpful in your future role.
#4: Social Media
From Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and more, knowing your way around these and other social media sites is crucial for certain positions. Think marketing, public relations, and communications. However, if you’re working in an administrative role for a small business or a start-up, for instance, you might also be charged with managing these channels.
In addition to knowing how to navigate your way through these sites, it’s also important to be able to analyze the results, such as from software like Google Analytics or Hootsuite. These are social media management platforms that enable you to monitor the effectiveness of your social media strategy and make changes when needed.
#5: Computer Programming
If you’re applying for a position in IT, then you’ll need to showcase your technical skills. However, other positions, like those in marketing, can benefit from computer programming skills, too.
So, if you’ve get them, flaunt them on your resume and in your cover letter. For more technical positions, like the role of computer programmer or web designer, it’s important to demonstrate proficiency in areas like HTML, Java and UI / UX.
How to List Computer Skills On Your Resume
Now that you know the top skills to showcase on your resume, the next step is writing about them in the best way. For instance, rather than just listing your social media skills on your resume and the sites you’re familiar with, write in your cover letter about a certain project you spearheaded and the results you achieved. This will not only communicate that you have the right-fit skills, but also the proven track record to add value to a future employer.
Another way to showcase your computer skills is to create a “Computer Skills” section for them on your resume. Use a subhead and create a summary of your skills with bullet points for the relevant programs you know. You can also include them in your “Work History” section if a particular program was important for your current or a previous role.
For instance, you can state something such as:
“Used QuickBooks to manage business finances, process invoices and payments, and supervise all aspects of bookkeeping.”
Get Professional Resume Writing Help.
If you’d like help from the pros, turn to ResumeSpice. We’re experts in resume writing and know what employers want to see. We can evaluate your current resume and edit and polish it, or write one from scratch. You’ll put your best foot forward with help from our team. Simply call 832.930.7378 or contact us online to get started.
by ResumeSpice Team | Aug 27, 2022 | Interviewing
Preparation is one of the basic tenets of searching for a job. If you show up underprepared, you’ll rarely leave a good impression. For that reason, we always recommend researching the company and job for which you’re interviewing. But can you over-prepare to the point where you hurt your chances of being hired? Put simply: yes.
As one of the leading interview prep, career coaching, and professional resume writing services, ResumeSpice knows that over-preparation can result in sounding like a robot instead of an authentic human being. You might also back yourself into a corner. If the interview doesn’t go according to the script you’re writing, you might freeze and, strangely, come off as unprepared.
When prepping for an interview, look to these four tips for guidance:
Prepare for Your Interview, but Don’t Memorize
If you’ve spent countless hours Googling interview questions, writing out answers, and practicing your responses like your interview is opening night on Broadway, you’re going to sound rehearsed and inauthentic. Instead, look up common questions and simply jot down a few bullet points you’d like to get across about each one. Yes, practice, but don’t memorize your answers. You should be able to deliver a great answer without sounding scripted.
Speak to Your Strong Points
Spend time thinking about your experience and background – and what unique strengths you bring to the table – so that you can honestly answer questions. Really think through the job and why you’re a great fit for it. Have relevant accomplishments in mind that you’re ready to talk about and which showcase your skills and abilities.
Remember P-I-E
Studies show that the highest rated interviewees are those who seem positive, interested, and engaged (P-I-E) in the conversation. While you want to be able to answer any question that comes your way, keep in mind that the interviewer is looking for more than just your ability to problem-solve on the spot.
Be Yourself
Sure, you might look great on paper. But if you appear nervous, jittery, or give canned answers, you’re not going to get hired. Employers want to hire people who have positive attitudes and are enthusiastic about the job. So don’t deliver stiff answers, even if you think they’re the “right” ones. Instead, let your personality shine through and show the hiring manager why you’re interested in the job.
Remember, there’s a big difference between being well-prepared and sounding rehearsed. You need to think about why you’re a great fit for the job and be ready to get specific with examples. But you don’t need to script exactly what you’re going to say ahead of time.
Do you need more help preparing for interviews? Call the team at ResumeSpice! Our team of career consultants and career coaches can help you prep for any interview situation. Contact us today to get started.
by The ResumeSpice Team | Aug 24, 2022 | Resume Writing
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.
by The ResumeSpice Team | Aug 19, 2022 | Candidates
Writing your resume can be a challenge for a range of reasons – one involves length. If you’ve only been on the job for a short period, this might not be a big deal.
However, if you have years of experience, how are you supposed to boil all that down to a one-page resume? Is it even necessary?
You can’t use a seven-point font, unless you want your resume to land in the trash. Instead, we dive deeper into the art of resume writing for a few tips to concise things, and to see if it's even required to shrink your resume down to a page.
Shorten Text Where You Can
Now’s the time to go through your resume with a fine-tooth comb and remove any extra words, phrases, or sentences. Read through every bullet under your “Work History” section and all the other sections to ensure there isn’t any extraneous text.
If you have any bullet points that are three lines, aim to cut them down to two. If you have one word alone on a line, then do whatever you can to cut or edit the sentence and get rid of the dangling word.
Combine Lines
If you’re stacking all the information on your resume, like job title, employer name, location, and dates of employment, this takes up four lines. Instead, combine them to one or two lines, depending on the length. For instance:
Marketing Manager, ABC Communications, Houston, TX – July 2018- Present
Other areas where you can get rid of stacked text include under your “Education” section. See if there’s a way to get your college name, degree and dates earned onto one line, such as:
Augusta University, Bachelor of Science in Business, Graduated: May 2015
This way, you’re not using up multiple lines. Another area to check is your contact information at the top of your resume, like phone, email, and any other details you list. Make sure they’re not all on separate lines and instead combine them into one line that is below and across your name.
Narrow the Margins
When you’re trying to get your resume down to one page and you’re almost there, the next place to look is at your margins. Keep in mind, white space is key and important to the look and feel of your resume. You don’t want to send in a resume with a tiny font point size and even tinier margins.
However, you can play with your margins a little and narrow them down to see if this helps you remove the final few lines that are running to the next page. If, for instance, you have one-inch margins all the way around your resume, see what happens when you trim them down to .75 or even .5 inch margins. Whatever you do, make sure it still looks reader-friendly.
Adjust the Line Spacing & Font Size
If you’re still in need of a little bit of space, this should be your final step. If you have your line spacing set to the default, then it might be too much. You can adjust it so it’s a little tighter. That said, don’t make the line spacing so tight that it becomes hard to read your resume.
Also, if your font size is set at 12 for all the text, adjust it to 11 to see if it works to shrink your resume. Just make sure you don’t go any smaller than 10 and keep your section headers and your name larger, such as 14.
Does It Even Need to Be One Page?
If you've done all of the above and it’s still not fitting – no need to worry. If you have enough work experience feel free to have your resume take up two or even three pages depending on the amount of years you have worked professionally. One of the biggest myths out there is that you need to have a one-page resume.
Employers want to see your entire job history. They'd rather scan a few pages to get a good overall view of your career than miss something important for the sake of saving paper or time.
Need More Help Writing the Right-Length Resume?
Turn to the pros at ResumeSpice. We’re experts when it comes to writing resumes and knowing what hiring managers want to see. We can help you make edits to your resume or start from scratch, so you put your best foot forward. Ready for help? Simply call 832.930.7378 or contact us online to get started.
by ResumeSpice Team | Aug 15, 2022 | Job Search Tips, Negotiation Tips
As a leading resume writing and career services agency, ResumeSpice gets it – you’ve spent months writing and revising your resume, going on interviews, and repeating that cycle continually. So it’s tempting to want to say yes right away once you receive a job offer.
But before you answer, you should take some time to really think about the opportunity and the full compensation package.
Here’s what you should do when considering a job offer.
Show Your Gratitude
Even if you plan to accept the offer “as is,” your first step should be to express appreciation and excitement for the job offer, which will set a positive tone for conversations going forward.
Get It In Writing
Ask for the job offer in writing, which should include the job title, start date, and salary at the very least. This makes the offer official.
Sleep On It
Ask when they want a decision by. Most companies understand that you may need a day or two to think about the offer, but don’t wait too long. If they don’t give you a hard deadline, tell them you’ll have an answer within a few business days. If you’re planning to negotiate the offer, set up a phone or in-person meeting to talk through the details.
Say Yes! In Writing
The last step is to say yes! If you countered their offer, make sure you receive a revised offer in writing as well, to ensure everyone’s on the same page.
Are you ready to negotiate yourself into a new job opportunity or do you need help developing a great resume to get you the interview? Call the experts at ResumeSpice. As one of the leading career services agencies, we can assist you with crafting a strong resume, preparing for interviews, and/or career coaching.
Ready to get started? Call us today!
by ResumeSpice Team | Aug 11, 2022 | LinkedIn Tips
In today’s business world, most people are active on or have heard of LinkedIn. Unfortunately, not everyone has heard that there are some faux pas on LinkedIn that could hurt their reputation.
Since one of our core services is writing great LinkedIn profiles for professionals, ResumeSpice put together this list of several mistakes to avoid on your LinkedIn profile.
Not Using a Professional Photo
You don’t need to spend hundreds on a professional headshot. But your family’s vacation photo isn’t appropriate either. Choose a photo of just you and be sure to wear professional attire.
Using Quirky Job Titles or Descriptions
You can let your personality shine through on LinkedIn (to an extent), but you’ll still need to keep it professional. After all, you want people to take you seriously. Don’t call yourself a “Recruiting Superhero” or a “Marketing Alchemist.”
Misrepresenting Your Experience
Putting information that simply isn’t true can seriously hurt your credibility in a job search. And even if you’re not looking for a new position outside your company, keep in mind that the information you include in your profile can be seen by your boss and co-workers. Keep your profile honest.
Not Personalizing Your Connection Requests
If you want to connect with someone, personalize a message and remind them of how you know each other. You’ll make a better impression and increase your odds of a successful connection.
Asking for Recommendations from People You Don’t Know Well
It’s not a good idea to ask your 2nd and 3rd degree connections to refer you for a job opening or write a recommendation. Asking for a recommendation is equivalent to saying that they have direct experience with you and can vouch for your abilities.
Do you need help sharpening your LinkedIn profile so you get noticed by hiring managers or recruiters?
ResumeSpice can help. As one of the leading professional services agencies, we can assist you with writing a great LinkedIn profile, resume, cover letter, or help you with interview prep. Call us today: 832.930.7378
by The ResumeSpice Team | Jul 27, 2022 | Candidates
After an interview, you can’t sit back and breathe easy. There’s still more work to do. Once the interview is over, it’s time to write a post-interview thank you note – and increase your odds of getting the job or at least another interview.
In fact, consider these statistics from a recent CareerBuilder study:
- 22% of employers say they’re less likely to hire a candidate who doesn’t send a thank you note
- 56% said not sending a thank you note showed the candidate was not serious about the position
- And 86% of hiring managers said not sending a thank you note demonstrated a lack of follow-through
If that’s not enough, there’s yet another reason to write a note. It can be a deciding factor for the hiring manager. If you’re neck-in-neck with another candidate and they write a great thank you letter, guess who will likely get the offer? It’s not worth risking job offer rejection. Writing a solid thank you note after the interview is an easy way to separate yourself from the 57% of job seekers who don't send a thank-you note.
Not sure where to begin? Here’s a template to follow and examples to inspire you.
Thank you letter email template:
Dear [Name of Hiring Manager],
Thank you so much for meeting with me today. It was a pleasure speaking with you and I am truly excited about the possibility of working for [Company Name].
I’d love to be a part of your team and help you to [increase sales, retain more customers, create new products, or expand service offerings]. My [skill, such as customer service, graphic design, leadership, etc.] experience and [another skill] expertise would help me to thrive in this position while making valuable contributions.
I look forward to hearing about next steps from you. If you need additional information, please reach out.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Sample thank you email letter #1:
Dear Jennifer,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for meeting with me today. After discussing the accounting manager position, I’m excited about the chance to work for such a dynamic company. My experience as a CPA and specifically in business tax planning will help to ensure ABC Company can reduce exposure and minimize liabilities, as I’ve done with my current employer.
I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps. If, in the meantime, you have any further questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Mike Smith
Sample thank you email letter #2:
Dear Mr. Frey,
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the administrative assistant position. Our conversation gave me more insight into the job and I believe I’m an excellent fit for it, as a result, especially with 10 years of experience and strong interpersonal skills. I’m also already proficient in the software you use, as we discussed, and can hit the ground running with your team faster.
Please let me know about next steps when you get the chance. If you have additional questions in the meantime, call or email me. Again, thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
Lisa Morgan
Sample thank you email letter #3:
Hello Ms. Michaels,
I wanted to thank you for inviting me in today. It was great to hear more about the position and your company. It seems like an amazing place to work, one I’d feel lucky to be a part of. You mentioned so many unique aspects to your business – it’s all so impressive!
Anyway, please let me know if any other questions came up or if you need additional information. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing from you.
Have a great day,
Carrie Ross
Sample thank you email letter #4:
Dear Ben,
It was great meeting with today. Thank you for explaining more about the company and role. It’s such an incredible opportunity.
I’m very interested in the job and believe my experience as a project manager will be valuable to your company. You mentioned that you’re in the process of building a new product to increase customer retention. I already have a few ideas I’d love to discuss. For instance, [include idea here].
Please contact me if you have any additional questions. I’m also including a link to my LinkedIn profile, where you can view additional information about my background. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Sam Smith
Need more help writing your thank you note?
At ResumeSpice, we can help you craft a well-written thank you letter that will give you a leg up over other candidates, so you get the job you want. Our service includes a phone consultation, a personalized draft within two business days, and one round of revisions, followed by your final letter.
Ready to get started? Simply reach out at 832.930.7378 or contact us online.
by The ResumeSpice Team | Jul 13, 2022 | Candidates
Whether you’re just entering the workforce or are a seasoned professional, writing a resume can be a challenge. It’s difficult to know what’s important to hiring managers and which areas in your background to focus on and promote.
However, since hiring managers only spend a few seconds screening each resume, yours needs to stand out – quickly. One way to do that is with the skills you include. These can differentiate you from other candidates, so you get a call for an interview. It can also impact the offer you get, including salary and benefits. With so much on the line, where do you even begin, though?
Here’s a look at what to include on your resume, so you get the results you want.
Hard Skills
Hiring managers will be scanning your resume for the right technical abilities. This means if you work in accounting, experience such as with accounting principles and knowledge of software like MS Excel are important. For working in marketing, experience with content management systems and data analytics are key. For graphic design, listing your Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) certification is important.
If you’re struggling with which hard skills to include on your resume, look back to the job listing. What are the qualifications and requirements included there? These are the areas you should be focusing on when showcasing your skill set. Make sure you also list any degrees or credentials that are relevant to the job.
When you’re looking at the job listing, another important step is to identify pertinent keywords. Since most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to sort and screen resumes first, a resume optimized with keywords is more likely to get into the hands of a hiring manager.
Soft Skills
Besides hard skills, hiring managers want to know about your soft skills and if you’ll be a fit for the role and the company culture. These reflect your personality and other personal attributes, like your ability to collaborate, cope with stress, and communicate clearly.
These can be harder to promote since they’re not easy to measure. However, look once again to the job listing for an idea of what soft skills are most important to the employer.
When you’re writing your resume, don’t just say you’re a “team player,” which is vague and generic. Instead, give specific examples of accomplishments or results you achieved through collaborating with others.
Keep in mind, soft skills can often be a deciding factor for a position. In many cases, two candidates have equally strong backgrounds when it comes to technical abilities, so an employer will use the soft skills to tip the scales one way or the other.
Examples
Whether you’re writing about soft skills or hard skills, don’t simply state the ones you have. Offer an example of what you achieved. This is the best way for you to stand out with your resume.
For instance, rather than saying you have experience in “project management,” say you “led a team of 10 to successfully complete multiple mission-critical projects, on time and on budget.”
If you want to promote your communication skills, don’t simply state that you have “strong written and verbal communication skills.” Instead, discuss how you “wrote and published weekly company emails, reaching an audience of 2,500 clients and increasing traffic to the corporate website by 18%.”
If leadership skills are important to the job, don’t just say you were on a company board. Instead, state that you: “Chaired a company volunteer board that organized the annual corporate fundraising event, raising 12% more than the previous year.”
What Not To Include:
Now that you know what to include on your resume in terms of skills, what should you avoid? Here’s a look.
- Don’t ever lie or exaggerate your skills. During the reference checking process, the hiring manager might discover the truth. Even if you do get the job and can’t perform, you’ll be miserable and your boss will be unimpressed. It’s best to be honest about your skills and abilities, even if it means you don’t get the job. False claims aren’t worth it.
- Too much information. Since hiring managers only scan resumes for a few seconds each, it’s important to avoid dense paragraphs and lengthy text. Instead, make sure your resume is written in a clear and concise way without flowery language, like “outside the box” or “taking a deeper dive.”
- Simple mistakes & common typos. When you’re done writing your resume, give it to someone you trust to proofread it. You might be missing a glaring error, simply because you’ve been looking at it for too long. A fresh eye can quickly spot with formatting, grammar, typos and inconsistencies.
Need help writing your resume?
It’s easy with the professional resume writers at ResumeSpice. We can craft an honest, authentic and impactful resume that helps you stand apart from other candidates. You’ll get more calls for interviews and find the job you want sooner. Simply call 832.930.7378 or contact us online to get started.
by ResumeSpice Team | Jul 5, 2022 | Resume Writing
If your resume is in need of a major overhaul, sometimes the hardest part is figuring out where to begin.
As a leading provider of career services, including resume and cover letter writing, interview prep, LinkedIn consulting, and career coaching, ResumeSpice knows how to turn your resume into every recruiter’s dream. Here are some tips that will get your resume in the spotlight.
1) Keep it relevant to the job you want
If you’ve spent the last five years as a marketing professional, but are seeking a sales position, it might be wise to showcase the relevant sales skills you have developed in your most recent position(s).
2) Leave out the objective statement
Resume best practices are constantly evolving and there was a time when including objective statements was standard. Today, with hiring managers overloaded by resumes, objective statements are seen as at best, unnecessary, and at worst, a way for resume screeners to weed out candidates whose stated objective doesn’t precisely match the position.
If you want a potential employer to know more about you and why you’re a great fit for the job, include a cover letter with your application.
3) Use reverse chronological order
Even though resume standards and practices do change, one thing that has remained constant is the order in which you should list your experience. You’ll want to begin with your most recent or current position and work backwards, which means the education section of your resume should be listed after your professional history. The only exception to this rule is for recent grads, who are better served listing their education first.
4) Keywords might be the key to unlocking an interview request
Because your resume will likely be filtered by an applicant tracking system at some point, it should contain the right keywords based on the job description. If you read the description and you’re still not sure which keywords to use, there are tools like TagCrowd that can help you decide which keywords are the most relevant.
5) Keep it simple
Focus on keeping your information organized and easy to skim over. Most recruiters are scanning your resume for specific skill sets and information, so don’t overshadow the content of your resume with wordiness, graphics, or irrelevant information.
6) Numbers are your friend
Use pieces of quantifiable information that highlight your accomplishments and track record of success. If you increase new business by 25% in the first quarter, put it on your resume. If your targeted marketing campaign generated 150,000 new leads, make sure that information makes it on to your resume.
If you aren’t currently tracking that kind of information, there’s no time like the present to begin doing so.
7) Fill in those gaps
It’s a tough time to be a job seeker. There are many people who have been unemployed for six months or longer. But just because you haven’t been employed by a company doesn’t mean you haven’t been keeping busy. If you have volunteer work or coursework you’ve been doing, list that on your resume, just above your previous position.
8) Proofread like your future depends on it
Your resume is only a snapshot of who you are as a person, but unfortunately it’s the only thing a recruiter is looking at to determine your qualifications. Stay credible with a thorough proofing (or two, or three) of your resume.
9) Keep it fresh
Every few months, take a minute to tweak and update your resume. It’s good to keep it up-to-date even if you aren’t actively job searching—you never know when you’ll need to present it for that promotion or volunteer opportunity.
10) Ask for help
Don’t be shy about asking a family member, friend, or trusted colleague to help with your resume. And if you’re seeking professional advice, don’t hesitate to contact one of the career consultants at ResumeSpice. Our team might be the resource you need to unlock your resume’s potential, contact us today.
