How To Make A Resume Stand Out From The Crowd

Resume writing is part art, part science. So how to make a resume that you've written stand out?

Naturally you'll need to cover all the things expected of a resume:

• Educational qualifications, but be careful not to appear over qualified if you're stepping down the career ladder.
• Previous job experience. Put the most recent first and make sure that any gaps are explained. Also explain why there were several good jobs in quick succession if that's the case.
• Hobbies and interests. You may want to be selective about these and emphasize the ones that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Other achievements. Anything that could help strengthen your case or get you chosen for interview above another candidate.

Take care over the proof reading of your resume. Read it out loud, ideally to someone else so that you can get their opinion.

Keep the formatting clean and tidy. If possible, use a template to help you get the format correct. Use sensible fonts. There are lists of quality fonts on the internet, so you don't have to simply stick to Times New Roman.

Keep your sense of humor to yourself. Unless the job is as a humorist, it's better to stick to the facts rather than try to be funny.

Make sure the paper you print on is good quality. Don't use cheap paper! It's worth spending a few dollars to get a slightly heavier paper - when your prospective employer is going through many resumes, they will notice the difference. White paper is fine, as is black ink.

Be brief. Your resume shouldn't be the next Harry Potter!

Learn more about how to make a resume and increase your chance of getting your next job.

Jack Canfield