Did you know that “70% of millennials hate their job”? With more tech knowledge and networking opportunities than any generation before, something is going wrong when “2.5 years is the average time millennials spend at the same job.”
Millennials also clearly have higher expectations when it comes to job satisfaction. Bagging the right job in the first place would help them be more satisfied and stay in the job for longer. To help them land their dream job with ultimate satisfaction, here are our top 5 tips that will help twist their resumes into shape in just 5 minutes.
1. Pitch yourself quickly
Recruiters spend no more than 6 seconds scanning each resume, so you need to make a good first impression and do it quickly! But don’t let this statistic overwhelm you; there is a simple solution. You can use the first part of your resume as a catchy elevator pitch to highlight your strengths and sell yourself. Grab the recruiters attention sooner than later, and they will continue reading.
You can use the first part of your resume as a catchy elevator pitch to highlight your strengths and sell yourself. Grab the recruiters attention sooner than later, and they will continue reading.
2. Choose the right font
Although sometimes underestimated, the font that you use on your resume matters. Some fonts are harder to read and scan than others. For instance, Arial, Helvetica, and Verdana are recommended while it is better to avoid Courier and Comic Sans. Times New Roman is not highly recommended either because it is the most common font and won’t make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Other important aspects of your resume’s layout to bear in mind are to align all the content to the left and make strategic use of italics, bold, caps and bullet points. All these little tricks will make your resume easily skimmable to read for recruiters.
3. Use the right resume template
Using a resume builder tool will save you a lot of time and frustration.
Tools like resume builder or CVmkr will help you create a professional looking resume much more quickly. You will be guided through the process step-by-step and editing your CV will be intuitive and easier than ever.
4. Tailor your resume and cover letters
Nowadays many hiring managers use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to simplify the recruiting process. A handy and straightforward tip to make your resume more visible on this type of application software is to match the job description using relevant keywords.
Using the same resume for every job vacancy is a very wrong decision. Instead, it is recommended to take your time to tailor your resume and make sure it matches the job description.
5. Keep your social profiles consistent
Your resume is telling a story about yourself. And that story needs to be backed up by the other stories you are telling about yourself on different online channels. More likely than not, recruiters will ‘Google’ your name, and they will find, among other results, your social media profiles. Make sure you keep consistency and are telling the same story on every social platform and your website if you have one. Pay particular attention to your Linkedin profile and be confident that it contains the same information as your resume.
You may have noticed that the line between an average resume and an outstanding one is very fine. Giving that extra push to your resume is easier than you may think. All you need is to know how to do it. If you dedicate just five minutes to put into practice these five simple tips, you will appreciate a big difference. The result will be a resume that catches the recruiter’s eye and helps you stand out from the crowd, opening new doors and interview opportunities.
Featured photo credit: Reynermedia on Flickr via flickr.com
