Being great at interviews requires a lot of social skill, and a bit of luck. But first, you need to actually land an interview… How do you do that? Make sure your resume stands out above the rest, so that Okanagan recruiters will notice you! To get an interview for your dream job your entire resume has to be great, but only one part needs to be outstanding. When Okanagan recruiters are looking at your resume, they will probably be opening it up as an attachment from an email. This means that they’ll only see the top half of your resume at first glance, so that’s the part that needs to really shine! Read on for some strategies to make the most of that small chunk of real estate.
Use Limited Space Wisely
When you only have half of your document to showcase how great you are, make sure to include all of your best bits in it. Try to keep your contact info and margins at a minimum, which leaves room for the topics that will really help you stand out. Don’t go too far in the other direction though, as you don’t want your resume to appear cluttered. Okanagan recruiters need to be able to read all of your top selling points, so be sure you don’t make everything too crammed.
Make Your Profile POP!
Start off your resume with an elevator-style pitch. Include about 5-8 lines of compelling text that explains your best attributes and high level abilities. Don’t bother writing an objective statement, as its very redundant to include in a job application. Your main goal in this section is to sell your talents and get your foot in the door. Avoid writing clichés like, “hard working team-player” in your profile. It may sound impressive, but it is entirely overdone and will get your resume thrown out. Try to offer a concise snippet of your demeanour with evidence of your skills. Focus on using what you’ve been achieving in your previous role.
Don’t Forget A Core Skills Section
A core skills section is essential when giving Okanagan recruiters an instant glance of your skillset. Keep it point form and right underneath your profile, highlighting your most in-demand skills and industry knowledge. Focus on the most in-demand skills you have, after all, everyone has proficiency in Microsoft Office. Take a look at the job posting, and be sure to include their most sought-after skills for the position.
Highlight Your Most Recent Role
This step is most important if your most recent role is the most relevant one to the vacancy you’re applying for. Give a clear description of the company and where you sit within its hierarchy, as well as a summary of your accomplishments. If possible, include impressive achievements with quantifiable results, as this will prove the impact you’ve made at the company. Saving costs, generating revenue, and improving efficiency are always worth noting. Allow Okanagan recruiters to see the true scale of your work, and benchmark you against their own standards.
Get Okanagan recruiters interested in the first few lines of your resume, or they won’t bother to continue reading. Think your resume is up to the task, and need a little help getting your foot in the door? Platinum Recruiting has been successfully making employment connections within the Okanagan region for employers and employees since 1999. Contact Us for a free consultation, we’d love to work with you!
October 2018 – Platinum Recruiting
