CRAFTING THE PERFECT RESUME

Your resume is your golden ticket to getting a shot at the job interview for the position of your dreams. Here is a guide to presenting a resume that stands out.

As hiring managers only have enough time to take a quick glance at your resume, you need to quickly hook their attention and reel them in for a second look. Most importantly, you have to strategically customise every resume sent to employers.

Here are some tips on how you can do so.

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Recruiters are looking for candidates with the best fit for the advertised role from the deluge of applications received. Your resume needs to be highly relevant and targeted to the role you are looking at.

One easy way to ensure this is by indicating your career objective or a key summary of your skill sets, or both, right at the top of your resume. After that, customise your career objective and summary of skill sets accordingly for each role you are applying for.

When hiring managers sift through the huge stack of resumes received, they look for keywords shown in the job description. These keywords are often specific skill sets, which you can show as one-liner summaries with each work experience listed.

For instance, if you are listing marketing experience, use a line or two to highlight the key areas of expertise that you have gained, such as market research, market sizing, interviewing, public relations and business development.

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On the other hand, for a business management position, state the relevant areas of expertise such as executive-level communication, strategic planning, business analysis and client management. Include short-term gigs, internships or CCAs related to the role you are applying for.

Spent a summer taking care of elephants in Thailand before (or during) the pandemic? Put that in – you can talk about emerging skills employers appreciate during your job interview, such as corporate social responsibility and cross-cultural fluency.

Similarly, part-time work in a services or teaching role indicates your ability to serve and cater to the needs of clients, including managing others’ expectations – a key skill needed for any young professional.

Impact is often measured in numbers and details. If you helped to grow the client pool in your previous role, state the number of new clients you brought on board within a specific time period.

Similarly, if you gave tuition, state how you have helped your students grow, in terms of tangible results as well as the areas which you have focused on, be it targeting on improving their weaknesses or encouraging them to read more. This will let employers know that you are not just a doer but a thinker, for you can be a self-starter, coming up with your own strategy.

If you have led project teams in school or at work, show their sizes and include details of growth within the time period for the hiring managers to appreciate your capabilities through proven examples.

Employers gauge your unique selling propositions and potential contributions to the firm by scrutinising your skills and interests.

For example, fluency in a second or third language could indicate your specialised knowledge of a certain geographic market. Your prospective employer would be keen to tap on your strengths for future plans such as expanding to new, or in existing, markets.

IT and technology skills are another valued asset these days. If you have a budding interest in coding or have taken up online courses to further your interest in this area, include the certificates which you have attained.

Besides stating your educational and co-curricular awards, achievements and leadership positions which you have attained, it is a nice touch to share your personal interests at the end of your resume.

While keen interest and participation in team sports indicate a high potential for success in a corporate environment, playing a musical instrument often illustrates an ability to focus with strong self-discipline.

Last but not least, submit your applications as early as possible so that you do not miss out on popular roles. For every vacancy filled is one less for you, no matter how impressive your credentials are. Your resume is the hiring manager’s first impression of you, so make sure you give it your best shot.