According to a recent Eye-Tracking Study, job recruiters spend an average of seven seconds reviewing a resume. You have mere moments to make a strong first impression and get an interview. Otherwise, your resume will end up in yet another reject pile. So how can you stand out against the pool of equally qualified candidates? If you are looking for a new job through the Ticket to Work program, you must customize your resume. Keep reading below to learn how to tailor your resume to exactly what the employer is looking for and land more interviews than before.
Use the Job Listing as a Reference
When you are customizing your resume, keep the job listing open so you can refer back to it as needed. Read the description a few times and make sure you have a clear understanding of the position and what the employer is looking for. Compare the ad to your existing resume. Make a list of the keywords, skills, and other qualifications listed in the job description that you have not included in your resume.
Customize to Include the Most Important Qualifications
Use the list you made in the last step to update your resume and include the most relevant experiences to your resume. Get rid of anything that is redundant or unrelated. Remember, applicable expertise doesn’t just come from paid positions; you also gain experience through volunteer roles, internships, hobbies, and extracurricular activities. Also, be sure to use the exact words written in the description, not a synonym. For instance, if your resume says, “conduct research,” and the job listing says, “perform research,” change your resume to match the language used in the ad.
Add a Detailed Overview Section
At the top of your resume, include an “Overview” or “Summary” section. The resumes that recruiters tend to spend the most time analyzing are those that have this section. Since recruiters typically spend a short amount of time looking at each resume, it’s smart to include the most important information, experiences, and accomplishments within the first third of the page. The summary should be a detailed description of your most relevant experience and most impressive achievements. Including this section could make all the difference in whether you get a call for an interview or whether your application is rejected.
Show an Understanding of the Company’s Values
Businesses don’t just want to see your skills and accomplishments; they want to know that you will be a good fit within the organization. On your resume, demonstrate that you understand the company culture and that you will be a good fit. You may need to do some additional research to find out more about the organization’s culture and values. Read their website, blog, news articles, and reviews from employees on websites like Glassdoor. What is their mission, and does it align with your values? What sort of office structure and environment do they work in? Once you answer these questions, you can begin to tailor your resume accordingly. For example, if they have a unique interest in philanthropy and helping out their community, mention your volunteer work. Or, if it is a remote job, mention times when you worked independently before.
If you want to learn more about creating the perfect resume or the Ticket to Work program, contact us at DisABLEd Workers today, toll free at 1-877-291-9806!