creative ways to make your resume stand out

How to Make a Resume That Stands Out in 2024: A Guide That Stands Out

What makes a resume stand out in 2023

Key takeaways.

So you want to know how to make your resume stand out to recruiters?

You’re here because the generic “best practices from recruiters” advice you got until now was not very helpful. You already knew it all. You know what the baseline is .

But do you know how to write a visually appealing resume that makes you stand out from the crowd?

What makes a resume pop?

We, at Enhancv , asked ourselves the same questions. To find the standout factors, we did some research and testing.

We started by analyzing our clients’ resumes that helped them secure jobs at the likes of Amazon, Spotify, PwC, Verizon, and other top companies. We identified all the resume components that catch the eye of employers and recruiters. Then, we performed solid A/B testing, and finally, put together all our findings into one test resume . This test resume gathered over 1 million views, got covered by CNBC and Business Insider, and was praised by Mark Cuban .

BUILD MY RESUME LIKE THIS

To put it simply – it stood out and attracted attention.

The following advice helped thousands of candidates get interviews and land jobs at leading companies. We’ll share their resumes as case studies and explore different ways to make your resume stand out from the rest.

Here’s what you’ll learn from this guide:

• How to make a resume that both stands out and gets you interviews in 2023
• Case studies, tips, and professional examples from candidates that successfully landed jobs at top companies
• What resume layouts are getting more interviews and which are getting less
• How to pass automatic HR filters when creating a stand out resume

At the end of the day, you want your resume to stand out and land you a job, not raise HR’s eyebrows or get shared on Reddit for the sake of it.

So we won’t be using fancy fonts or inserting funny pictures. Every example we provide and each template we use has been thoroughly tested with HR systems to pass automatic filters.

This guide will take your resume from good to great, and here’s how.

• First, for every section we’ll cover a baseline, a bare minimum you need to do in order to have a competitive resume. Unfortunately, the majority of career guides stop at that.
• From there, we take it one step further with specific advice on how to make every section of your resume even more engaging and remarkable with out-of-box techniques.
• Finally, we’ll talk about the power of formatting and layout in creating an outstanding resume.

Along the way, we’ll provide case studies and real-life examples that helped candidates land real jobs at the companies they wanted.

Create attention-grabbing header section

The Header is the top section of your resume. It includes your name, location, job title, and contact details.

• Baseline: provide clear, typo-free contact and location details so that recruiters could contact you with zero effort.
• Stand out: include a link to your developed LinkedIn profile, add a custom headline, consider adding a photo.

Looking for ways to make your header stand out? See how you can perfect your resume header and get noticed .

Link to LinkedIn and/or personal portfolio website

Here’s a thing: 70% of recruiters will be checking your social media profiles. But the real bummer is that 79% of employers can reject candidates based on their social media.

Let’s turn this into our advantage and put a link to your LinkedIn profile in your Header section.

This will earn you extra points with recruiters and guide their attention to where you want them to be.

If you have a personal portfolio website that you want recruiters to see, link to it as well.

Gal included a link to his personal website to guide the recruiter’s attention, but also to keep his resume one-page without having to describe all the projects he’s worked on over the decade.

Pro tip: when applying for code-heavy jobs, consider linking to your Github.

Custom headline

Recruiters will spend most of their time analyzing the top third of your resume, and a custom headline is one of the most influential and often overlooked ways to grab their attention.

Headline goes immediately after your name on the resume and can include anything from your job title to a personal slogan.

However, you can do much better than simply putting your job title there., e.g. “System Administrator”.

Below are two amazing standout resume examples of a customized headline in action:

In the past, Daniel had two different jobs: Customer Support Engineer and Systems Administrator.

So he combined both qualifications in his headline, emphasizing experience with both people and systems.

This way he framed his diverse experience as an advantage before the recruiter even got to see the rest of the resume.

Result? Intercom hired Daniel. Check out the resume template that got Daniel the job.

For other jobs, you might want to get even more creative with your headline. For example, how are you going to stand out from hundreds of other marketers?

Wrong example : PPC specialist with 5 years of experience.

Right example : Fighting shady, aggressive marketing.

In his headline, Louis took a strong stance against something that was at the time a massive problem for established brands: shady viral marketing tactics of competition. Later he was hired by Hotjar. Check out the template that Louis used to get his dream job.

Custom headline allows you to frame the rest of your resume however you need, providing a halo effect. Daniel framed his work experience as an advantage for his next job, while Louis stood out from hundreds of marketers with the same skillset.

And the best part? Headlines can be easily tailored to every job you’re applying for, so you can easily switch between experience-based headlines, slogans, or anything related to your next job. Learn more about how to craft your headline here .

Should you include a photo in your resume or not?"?

Short answer: it depends. The best practice is to check company and government policy (including photos is illegal in some countries). For the long answer, head over to our helpful post on the topic .

Sam wanted to switch careers, but her extensive investment banking background made her resume look a bit boring for a startup-tech world.

So she used one of our resume templates, including her photo and adding some personality to her resume , to successfully score a job at Spotify.

To sum it up – you’ll need an attractive header section to make your resume stand out from the crowd. What you’ll also need is a special Summary section…

Use summary that captivates recruiters

The summary section is a short paragraph or bulleted list that briefly describes your professional experience before the rest of your resume.

Sometimes Summary is called an “Objective”, especially if you are using it to explain why you’re applying for the job.

• Baseline : short, easy-to-read, and impactful description of your professional experience
• Stand out : make your Summary memorable, use a proper layout .

Think of your Summary section as a cold email you’re sending someone you don’t know. If it’s a long, boring, and self-centered cold email, no one wants to read that.

But if you research your recipient, create an engaging and short cold email, you have a much higher chance of someone responding to it.

The Summary section, when done right, is one of the most powerful ways of “aligning” you to the position.

Sometimes you’ll hear the opinion that the Summary section takes too much space on your resume.

First, there’s an easy fix to it.

Let’s look at Daniel’s resume once again.

He puts the Summary section to the right of his Experience section. Why?

When recruiters scan your resume, they are checking your experience section first, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to learn more about you after.

With his Summary, Daniel once again frames the recruiter’s perception, highlighting that he did the majority of his work experience remotely. It helps a lot given that the company he applied for, Intercom, is a fully remote organization.

At the same time, he also provides some insight into his personality, as he knows how important culture fit is in remote companies.

Learn as much as you can about the company you’re applying for to know what’s important to them, and use this information to make your Summary more memorable.

Another great way to use the Summary section is when you’re switching careers, have no work experience, or have gaps in your work history.

Seeing your experience section, recruiters will immediately ask themselves questions: why are they making the career switch? Do they have enough experience?

Be proactive and address the elephant in the room yourself.

Akshay S. Rao put a brief summary section before his experience section to explain why he wants the internship with Tesla in the first place.

Check out the job-winning resume layout that Akshay used to land a promising internship.

Okay, so you’ve mastered the Summary, and you are one step closer to making a creative resume that stands out from the rest. Now, it’s time to understand how to tie results with responsibilities and present your work achievements on your resume.

Always provide quantifiable achievements

One of the most common pieces of advice we hear from recruiters is “provide results, not responsibilities”.

Well, yeah, it’s great advice. But we can do even better than that.

• Baseline: when describing your experience, demonstrate the impact of your work and contribution to the bottom-line of a company
• Stand out: Add quantifiable achievements to other sections of your resume, creating a cohesive “rainmaker” narrative.

Compare these two Experience sections from our job-winning Tech resume guide.

The first example may seem clean and concise, but in reality, it’s generic and doesn’t bring impact.

When you provide quantifiable achievements in your resume, it’s not about bragging with numbers.

It gives recruiters the impression that the person knows the impact of their work and their value to the company. And knowing your impact makes you more effective and loyal, a recruiter’s dream.

Here’s a formula we are using to describe our experience in an engaging and impactful manner:

Accomplished [A] as measured in [B] by doing [C]

Just remember that quantifiable achievements don’t necessarily mean “numeric achievements”. Simply adding numbers to something doesn’t make it impactful.

As long as what you did makes an impact and benefits the company, it will resonate with recruiters.

The best part is that you can demonstrate impact throughout other sections of your resume, instantly making them more engaging and effective: Summary, Projects, even your headline.

Maximilian Malterer, who now works at Amazon, used our “Most Proud of” section and moved it right next to his experience section.

No matter how recruiters will be scanning this resume, they will notice the impact you made.

Access the job-winning resume of Maximilian layout at our library of top-performing templates .

Now, let’s discover what the Achievement section is and how to use it wisely.

Highlight awards and recognitions

• Baseline : candidates rarely have this section in their resumes
• Stand out : adding an Achievements section to your resume sets you apart from the majority of candidates in the hiring pool.

If we were to summarize what sets apart the majority of our customers whose successful resumes we’ve used throughout this guide, we’d say custom sections.

“Achievements”, “Awards”, and “Most Proud” sections are all great examples.

Adding them within our resume builder is a one-step drag-and-drop process, but the most important part is that you can quickly change the whole layout based on your particular needs.

As mentioned before, Maximilian put his most impactful Achievements right next to his Experience section, amplifying the overall impact, which is critical when you work with Amazon partners.

But Julian Prim, who now works with PwC, took a different approach. His high-stakes analyst job required extra attention to detail and next to perfect time-management skills.

After all, that’s what PwC had in mind for their operations specialist.

So Julian put his skills first to let recruiters know he checks all these boxes and added his “Most Proud” section below.

While Maximillians’s resume narrative is an ambitious and impactful account manager, Julian Prim is an efficient and timid analyst. The layouts of their resumes work great for both of them.

Pro tip : with simple drag and drop you can quickly change layouts and thus how your resume narrative.

Julian can easily become an ambitious superstar data wizard and apply for some hot BigData startup by simply dragging his “Most Proud” section to the top. Experiment with resume layouts by using the top-performing templates directly in our resume builder .

Surely, sharing awards and recognition is a way to make your resume stand out from other applicants and land you the job. But if you want to get things to the next level, you’d spend some time tailoring your resume and make it more specific to the position you are applying for.

Tailor your resume

Tailoring your resume to the job description is an extremely effective strategy for landing more job interviews.

Just don’t overdo it, otherwise, your efforts might seem too obvious.

• Baseline : include in your resume skills and keywords from your target job description
• Stand out : group skills and provide context for your core skills to maximize the impact and prove that you actually have these skills.

There are several ways to feature both technical and soft skills on your resume.

The majority of candidates will simply list them, but for recruiters, it’s as engaging as reading someone’s shopping list.

Instead, we have a few more easy-to-read and effective options you can use.

Daniel is a technical person. It was important for him to showcase his technical skills when applying for a job at Intercom, but he didn’t want to scare off recruiters with a poorly formatted list of 100+ technologies he learned during his career in IT.

He mentioned many skills and technologies he worked with when describing his Experience section, but for the skills section he followed the old wisdom of “less is more”.

So he identified four of the most important groups of skills he has and presented them as engaging infographics.

Adapt this layout and try out various visual styles using our freely accessible resume templates .

Julian went for the jugular with his PwC analyst resume. He was perfectly aware that the majority of analysts lack soft skills, and that was a great opportunity to stand out from his competition.

But instead of simply listing soft skills he presented them in a real-world context. Finally, he renamed the whole section “Strengths” to grab the recruiter’s attention.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with the names for your custom resume sections.

Recruiters are tired of seeing thousands of “My skills” sections to the point they automatically skim them.

But try naming them “Core strengths” or “Tech achievements” and you’ll hold their attention.

If you are interested in learning more about making your resume laser-targeted, read our post on the topic .

Did you know that nothing sets your resume apart from the rest more than sharing your personal story in it…

Show your career and personal story

So far, we’ve managed to make every section of your resume stand out and engage recruiters, showcasing your experience and achievement in the most convincing way.

Let’s apply some final effort with custom sections that will push your resume into a league of its own.

Here are the four custom sections our customers most often add to their job-winning resumes:

• Life philosophy

Marcellus Nixon, now Senior Director of Network Operations, had an excellent work history in the network communications sector.

You can access Marcellus’s full resume template here .

But so did every candidate who was aiming for an executive role at Verizon.

At this level, candidates rarely can outperform each other on a skill basis.

At the end of the day, organizations hire humans, and if recruiters feel that there’s a person behind all the achievements on your paper, they will remember you.

That’s why Marcellus decided to add “A Day In My Life” and “Life Philosophy” sections.

With these two custom sections, his resume narrative switched from “experienced network executive” to “experienced network executive with a strong work ethic and a solid plan.”

Exactly what Verizon, a global network mogul, needs.

Still with us? Good.

It’s all fun and games until we mention proper formatting. Are there any tricks to it? What colors and fonts are appropriate? Let’s see how you can make your resume stand out visually.

Apply formatting tricks to create stand out resume

Watch out for white space.

According to an eye-tracking study from Ladders Inc, resumes that lack white space turn recruiters off.

The easier your resume reads, the more chances there will be that the recruiter reads every section of it.

If you have a lot to put on your resume, use smart layout and custom sections.

The two resume examples feature the same amount of information, yet the second one is much more engaging and comfortable to digest.

Pro tip: after you filled all the sections of your resume, look at it with your eyes squinted. If your resume feels like a big cluttered black spot, start decluttering it.

Declutter your resume with minimalism approach

Make a point of using as few words to describe your experience as possible. The worst thing you can do is trying to sound smart.

Bad example: developed an elaborate testing environment throughout a wide array of 22 company and partner software assets

Good example: Launched a test-to-production environment for 22 software products

Use well-tested fonts and combinations

Don’t be afraid to use several fonts on your resume, especially if you want to bold certain parts of your resume like headers or titles.

Just remember to limit yourself to only three fonts per resume , and try using font pairs that were already tested together by designers and user experience experts.

Make colors work for you

Here’s a really elaborate, but effective trick you can use to earn some extra points: try using the company’s brand colors on your resume.

Surely don’t put a company logo or use the exact color palette, go for a subtle effect .

It’s a bit of reverse psychology: in-house recruiters that know brand colors too well may subconsciously gravitate towards resumes with familiar colors.

Proofread your resume at least 3 times

Even the most elaborate and engaging resume can quickly become a recruiter’s kryptonite when a single typo creeps into your sentences.Make sure to proofread your resumes at least three times before you send them out. If you’re using our resume builder, it will automatically check every resume you create or upload for typos.

Study specific cases of resumes that stood out from competition

Writing a resume that stands out with no work experience.

• Put Education and Projects section on the top left and top right
• Hide GPA if it’s below 3
• Add a link to personal industry-related projects or Github if you’re in development
• Include a short objective to frame the recruiter’s expectations
• Use custom sections (e.g. Projects and Certification) to stand out from hundreds of applicants
• DON’T mention passion in your objective.

Successful example: [internship at Tesla]

Tips for making your resume stand out for senior employees

• Use custom section to stand out from your competition and add personality to your top-management experience (e.g. “A Day In My Life” and “Life Philosophy”  sections)
• Frame your experience with a well-researched custom headline on top
• Add links to a business-related profile (LinkedIn)
• Frame Skills sections in a unique way (e.g. name them “Workflows”, “Strengths”)

Successful example: senior manager resume at Verizon

How to create a standout resume with bad work history

• Go for a functional layout resume where skills and workflows are prioritized over the experience section
• Create a proxy item in your experience section, e.g. “Freelancer”, or “Agency” and list your temporary experiences within it
• Write an engaging Summary section to address the recruiter’s questions about your inconsistent work history and turn it to your advantage (e.g. several areas of competence)
• DON’T mention passion in your objective. Just don’t.

Standout resume for different positions

Over years we’ve shared and updated a library of 530+ professional resume example guides with best practices and tips for specific job titles.

Simply type in the job title you’re applying for, and you’ll get a resume guide similar to this one with actionable tips specific to your dream job.

BROWSE RESUME EXAMPLES

• Small details matter: make every section stand out for the compound effect
• Extensively research the company you’re applying for and use your findings in different sections
• Add custom sections to stand out and boost engagement with recruiters
• Visuals and readability matter more than you think. Watch your white space, fonts, and formatting

Did you like the guide? Anything else that we’re forgetting and you might want to add? What are your tips for creating a stand-out resume? Jump in the discussion below.

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13 skills examples for resumes that grab recruiters’ attention

What skills should you put on your resume.

Write a resume as unique as you

You have a distinctive and impressive skillset that sets you apart from other candidates, making you the best fit for a new role. But how can you effectively showcase your exceptional abilities and capture the attention of recruiters?

If you’re ready to make a career move, it’s time to dust off your resume. And when you’re adding your latest professional experience, you should also highlight your innate talents and special skills — these attributes make your application exciting and memorable. 

Of course, crafting a compelling resume can be challenging. The stakes are high, and resumes follow a fairly strict format, meaning you don’t have much creative (or spatial) leeway.

Deciding on the right unique skills for your resume can make or break the success of an application. Sit down, open your laptop, and seize this opportunity to stand out in the job market.

The best skills to put on a resume are the ones that best describe you. Don’t stretch the truth — keep descriptions accurate. But don’t be shy to show off what makes you an unbeatable fit for the role. 

If you’re struggling to brainstorm, we can help. Check out these 13 attention-grabbing hard and soft skills:

Hard skills

Hard skills are learned abilities, often technical or creative. These are key skills to put on a resume because they demonstrate how well you’ll be able to meet and exceed the granular, day-to-day expectations of a position. 

If you’re applying for a UX position and have graphic design skills, adding this tidbit to your resume tips off a hiring manager and tells them you would bring a keen visual eye to the role. Similarly, highlighting strong editing skills for a marketing job could be a plus, as you’ll likely have to produce snappy copy. 

Here are a few essential hard skills to consider adding to your resume: 

Writing: Most roles, particularly ones that involve client interactions, demand excellent writing skills. Whether you expect to craft perfect emails to customers or generate blurbs for social media, having a solid understanding of style and grammar is worth highlighting on your resume.

If you’re applying for a writing-forward position, such as SEO content generation, advertising your skills in this area is a must. Include what type of content you’ve generated, the publications or companies you’ve worked with, and any relevant metrics that demonstrate the content’s success.

Project management: While it’s obvious that a project manager needs to highlight this skill, any person applying for a leadership or tech role should include this point on their resume.

Consider a software developer: they may spend most of their time coding but likely also participate in Agile sprints or similar project management structures. And working knowledge of project management methodologies is a resume booster across various industries and niches.

Data analysis: Aspiring data analysts should itemize technical skills. (You could even list them in a spreadsheet.) Be sure to use search-browser-friendly terms that align with those hiring managers seek for data analysis roles, such as SQL, data modeling, and business intelligence.

Graphic design: Anyone in a design-focused career — including marketers, content creators, and developers — should highlight graphic design skills. If you’re applying for a design-based role, you might get more specific and call out unique knowledge or qualifications, such as the specific applications you’re proficient in.

Language skills: In the age of remote work, language skills are a plus — and sometimes a must. Many tech companies, for example, have cross-cultural teams. Speaking a second language that promotes better understanding between you and your coworkers in another part of the world makes you a more versatile, empathetic candidate. 

Soft skills

Soft skills define a person’s character. Some socially-oriented abilities are inherent, but you accumulate or perfect others in your professional and personal relationships. Everyone communicates, but it takes work to become an expert listener or great at public speaking .

Not everyone has the same soft abilities — that’s what makes them stand out as special skills for your resumes. Some people are natural-born leaders, while others prefer collaborative work in a team setting. There’s room for everyone’s soft skills at most companies, and many recruiters — 93% of them, to be exact — want to see them. Here are a few in-demand soft skills worth listing on your resume:  

Communication: Are you excellent at active listening ? Do you have the patience to facilitate difficult conversations?Briefly describe what’s unique about your interpersonal skills instead of simply stating that communication is a strong suit.

Problem-solving: Conflict and obstacles are inevitable in any workplace. Being able to think critically about issues, draft potential solutions, and select the correct route forward is a valuable skill. Highlighting the skill implies you can face a roadblock with a clear head, which is what employers want to hear.

Leadership: Anyone in a workplace can be a leader , no matter their position or seniority. A team member who steps up because they have specific knowledge that can help a project is a leader. A relatively new employee who shows an even newer one the ropes is a leader, too. Listing this soft skill tells a recruiter you can motivate, guide, and support others.

Highlight this skill and let the work experience on your resume do the rest. Perhaps one of the bullet points under your last job is that you “Led a team of five developers to complete an app development project successfully” or “Took the initiative to introduce an innovative planning method.” These anecdotes demonstrate leadership and back up your skills section.

Time management: This top skill for resumes is important because virtually all employees must possess it. Whether you’re coordinating a project for a team or ensuring you finish your tasks on time, you must prioritize and schedule work and respect others’ expectations in order to mesh with a team.

Ability to work on a team (and independently): Hiring managers want to know how you’ll fit into the team. Highlight your ability to collaborate with others and take initiative on solo work by listing specific and relevant skills, such as conflict resolution and the ability to perform research.

Adaptability: In the workplace, you have to shift to meet changing project landscapes and circumvent roadblocks. Show — don’t tell — your ability to do so by listing various unique tasks and projects in which you’ve been involved. Tailor the list to the needs of the role: for example, if you’re applying to a development job, include some of the most out-of-the-box pieces of software you’ve worked on.

Self-motivation: Show hiring managers that you take the initiative to learn and grow by highlighting your ability to self-motivate. Cite a specific occasion when you taught yourself a new skill, vied for a promotion, or devised a new way of working. 

Customer service skills: Relating to clients is a communication skill that not everyone has — if you’ve got it, flaunt it. Someone needs to handle client-facing work, so if you excel at explaining concepts to others, selling products or services, or representing a company well, let potential employers know. 

Your resume is a powerful marketing tool — use it to showcase your unique abilities and align with the specific requirements of each job you apply for. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to selecting the perfect skills for your potential employer, here are some tips to help your application stand out :

• Customize for the role: Tailor your resume to each role by thoroughly analyzing the job description. Extract essential keywords and phrases like "takes initiative" or "knowledge of InDesign" and incorporate them into your resume using the same language. This approach allows recruiters to quickly identify key qualifications that align with their needs.

• Avoid excessive lists: Be selective and intentional with the skills you include. If you're applying for an advanced developer role, there's no need to state basic skills like using Microsoft Office (recruiters will assume you know this). Focus on relevant assets that add clear value to the specific role you're applying for.
• Create a balanced resume: While customizing your resume to match the job description is important, don't forget to make it stand out. Strike a balance between showcasing the skills recruiters are looking for and emphasizing what makes you special.
• Expand on your talents: Consider creating a dedicated skills section to list languages, software proficiency, and other abilities that don’t require elaboration. However, ensure your experience section also highlights your talents with specific examples of professional growth and successful initiatives.

Write a resume as unique as you 

You’re the only person in the world with your blend of talents, experience, and skills. A resume is your opportunity to prove this to potential employers.

Editing your resume to fit every role you apply to can be tedious work, but it’s worthwhile. Your resume may be your first and only chance to present yourself to a recruiter. Put your best foot forward and include the most impactful and unique skills on your resume.  

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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10 Creative Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out

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How to give a cookie-cutter resume a fresh twist

You’ve spit-and-polished your resume to a fare-thee-well, but can you make it stand out from the rest? How can you tweak your resume so it’s so unforgettable , the hiring manager not only has to call, but she also recalls your resume years after the fact?

Below, 9 professionals and 1 student share the unique, creative tacks they took that elevated their resumes—and helped them land jobs .

Also on Mediabistro

Follow their leads at your own risk—and possibly your own gain.

1. Add a Little Special Something

Julia Zangwill says the resume she sent to TV Land Digital for a designer position did not have a typical header. Instead, it led with this: “WHAT MAKES ME SPECIAL (besides what my grandma would say) by Julia Zangwill.”

It was a creative (and gutsy) move, but one that paid off. “The headline in Julia’s resume made it stand out from the others I was reviewing at the time; it showed a creativity and sense of humor that is important in our business,” says Jennifer Larkin , Sr. Director digital multi-platform experiences at TV Land.  “And I still remember it three years later!”

Zangwill got the interview and the job (though her grandma probably expected as much all along).

2. Drop Names, Not Internships

While most people omit internships from their resumes once they’ve had a few real jobs, Jacki Garfinkel , senior director of social media at Nickelodeon , kept one in there: an internship with the Montel Williams show.

“I get asked about it on every single interview,” says Garfinkel. “I’ve even been told I was brought in for the interview strictly because of the Montel mention.”

It makes me wonder how effective a Montel Williams show reference works on Montel Williams’ resume.

3. Share Your Handiwork

Even with experience from Nickelodeon and Scholastic on his resume, Jed Weissberg , SVP of product and strategy at Mobiquity Networks , still makes room for another gig: puppetry.

“People are intrigued by it,” says Weissberg. “It’s almost always the first thing they ask about.” And when there’s an emergency in the office, who doesn’t start looking for the nearest puppeteer?

4. Face the Music

Simon Tam , a former marketing manager for Oregon’s “I Have a Dream” Foundation , put his dance rock band The Slants on his resume not to show off his musical chops, but to emphasize his marketing skills.

“I had been applying for marketing positions and, when they researched my band and saw how much brand exposure we had and how successful our marketing was, I quickly stood out,” Tam says.

5. Give an Answer in the Form of a Question

Bonnie Zaben , COO of executive search firm AC Lion , included experience as a Jeopardy! contestant on her resume.

“Lots of interviewers noticed and asked me about it,” says Zaben. “Most were friendly conversations about the experience, the selection process and Alex Trebek’s personality—it was a great conversation starter.”

But it also gave Zaben insight into her interviewers. One intrigued potential employer spent most of the interview aggressively quizzing her, leaving Zaben with an important impression.

“If this is how he conducts his interviews, then this is not someone I want to work with,” she says. “I waited until the 30-minute mark, made my excuses and never looked back.”

6. Put Your Best Numbers Forward

Nathan Hirst , a product manager with BlenderBottle Company , realized after six months of job searching that prospective employers valued statements of impact over job descriptions.

“Instead of putting something generic like ‘managed PPC accounts,’ I put things like ‘increased PPC ROI by 125 percent,’” explains Hirst, who says the change “made all the difference” in his job search (though there’s no exact percentage on that yet).

7. Play with Fire

Teague Hopkins, who runs a Web strategy group under  his own name , says the one job he made sure to put on his resume was the hottest one he had: running a fire-dancing troupe.

“Without fail, I was asked about fire dancing in every single interview,” Hopkins says. “It was a great way to showcase my individuality and give me an entrance to talk about my leadership experiences.”

No wonder companies warmed up to him.

8. Drop Your Objectives

Wayne State Universit y information officer Rasheda Williams says the best thing she did to her resume was not an addition, but an omission: dumping the “objective.”

“To me, listing an objective is pointless and it seems to limit the possibilities of you actually being considered,” Williams says. “If you’re applying for a position, then it’s assumed that your objective is to get the position!”

Williams instead uses that area to list her qualifications, which gave her “bragging rights and another chance to really shine.”

9. Humor Them

When Rebecca Maguire transitioned from stay-at-home mom to PR professional, she didn’t run away from her eight years of domestic work; she used it to showcase her humor—and some equivalent experience at the same time.

Maguire’s resume roles include “head of household management,” “director of preschool education,” CFO, head chef, housekeeper, chauffeur, nurse, zookeeper, gardener, personal shopper, stylist, groomer, social secretary and party planner.

“This ultimately led to the landing of my dream job,” Maguire says, “and I now run my own firm. When in doubt, humor always works!”

10. Rely on Your Peers

As an honors junior at Park University , Andi Enns had no fewer than six internships under her belt. The one thing that makes her resume stand out, she says, is a section called “peer review.”

The section contains the four most popular words her classmates suggested when she asked them to describe her: Determined. Intelligent. Strong. Entertaining.

At the four interviews Andi had for marketing and design positions, “every interviewer mentioned it,” Andi says. Considering two of the interviews led to offers, Andi could add one more word that describes her: Successful.

If you’d like your resume to stand out even more, consider getting the help of a pro. Mediabistro’s Career Services offer  everything from a quick resume edit to several sessions of career counseling to tackle your CV, networking skills, career transition and more.

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Seven ways entrepreneurs can make their resumes stand out

You may be wondering why an entrepreneur even needs a resume. After all, you most likely work for yourself. If you are an entrepreneur, no matter how successful you are, it is still a good idea to have a resume on hand. If things don’t work out, at least you’ll have a career plan to fall back on. Here are seven tips to help you create a stand-out resume.

1. Highlight your transferable skills. As an entrepreneur, you pick up a lot of random skills that can be used in a variety of other jobs. Make sure that your resume highlights those skills . You don’t have to focus on them, just mention how they apply to other companies.You may be wondering why an entrepreneur even needs a resume. After all, you most likely work for yourself. If you are an entrepreneur, no matter how successful you are, it is still a good idea to have a resume on hand. If things don’t work out, at least you’ll have a career plan to fall back on. Here are seven tips to help you create a stand-out resume.

2. Don’t emphasize a business failure. Entrepreneurs wear their past failures as a badge of pride, but potential employers might not see it that way. Recruiters and hiring managers want to want to see your successes.

3. Stand out from the crowd. What makes you stand out in the business world? As an entrepreneur, you take on a lot of different responsibilities, but usually there are one or two things that you can do better than anyone else. These are the things you need to focus on, when crafting your resume. Remember, you can always craft different versions of your CV depending on the job you’re targeting.

4. Add a cover letter. Many people think that they only need to have a resume ready to go. It is also a good idea to have a cover letter on hand. This is your introduction to a prospective employer. In fact, your cover letter could be the only reason an employer takes a look at your resume. You need to know  how to write a great cover letter if you want  to attract employers.

5. You need a title. The title you use on your resume should reflect the type of position you are seeking. For instance, if you want to be in sales, make sure that you use a title such as sales executive or sales director on your resume. This is important for potential employers to see, because it shows you are seeking more than just a job, you are seeking a career.

6. Use the right keywords. Many recruiters use applicant tracking systems (ATS) so it is not only important to use keywords , but you need to know which ones. Look for words or phrases that describe your past experience, and fit the type of job you are looking for in the future. One way to narrow down the list, is to see what keywords occur in your job postings. Then, use those same keywords when applying.

7. Include leadership skills. If you have operated your own business, then you have some degree of leadership experience. Even if you did not manage any employees, you still had to run that business, deal with clients and customers, and possibly handle distributors. Show potential employers that you have what it takes to take charge and get things done by including this on your resume.

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7 Creative Ways To Make Your Resume Stand Out

When I looked at his resume, it was immediately obvious what the problem was. His resume looked like  everyone else’s ! Unless you have a ton of great experiences or come pre-recommend, you have to make sure that your resume stands out from the dozens of other resumes that recruiters and hiring managers see each and every day.

The ways you can make your resume stand out are limited only by your creativity — and basic common sense regarding what’s appropriate in business contexts. Let’s look at seven examples I recommend of ways to make your resume stand out .

1.  The Story Resume

A story resume  takes your experiences and qualifications and weaves them together into a coherent and clear narrative. You want to aim for less than a page in length and include all relevant information about yourself, your education, your experiences, and where you ultimately see yourself at the company to which you are applying.

2. The Sales-Page Resume

Phillip Dubost created the most famous sales-page resume when he created  an Amazon-style profile as his resume a few years back.   I have helped clients develop a wide variety of sales-page resumes both in print and online. A sales-page resume is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stand out.

3. The Delicious Resume

This is the riskiest of the creative resume ideas I’m sharing today, but a small personalized gift of food  could be  a great way to make your resume stand out.

A former client of mine, Charlene, sent a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies to the P.R. agency she was applying to — and she was called in for an interview the very next day.

 4. The Video Resume

A video resume  is an easy way to display your personality. I recommend that your video resume be less than three minutes long. Use a program like Camtasia  to combine video of yourself with video of your computer screen, where you can display a PowerPoint presentation that covers your accomplishments and resume.

 5.  The Colorful Resume  

For example, quite a few of my job seekers have gotten jobs using resumes with black type printed on red paper.

6. The Over- or Undersized Resume  

A great tip for going to networking events is to create a business-card-sized resume you can hand out. I recommend placing a picture of yourself and your contact info on the front of the card and printing your resume info on the back.

You can also go the opposite direction and blow up your resume, printing it on larger paper and using larger fonts.

7.  The Example Resume

The last creative resume I want to share with you is what I call the “example resume.”

With the example resume, you turn in not just your resume, but also an example of the work you would be doing for the company.

My student Mark was applying for a job managing a real estate company’s website. He noticed that the company did not have a blog, so he created one on his own and emailed a link to the company, a long with his resume.

He was hired without even needing to attend an interview!

And, of course, take into account the type of organization you are applying to. While many companies will be receptive to nontraditional resumes, other organizations — especially large, established companies — will reject such resumes outright. Take some time to get to know a company before you send a creative resume!

• Career Blog

50 Creative Resume Headline Examples to Stand Out

In the competitive job market, job seekers need to stand out from the crowd. One of the most effective ways to do so is by having an attention-grabbing resume headline.

An Overview of Resume Headlines

A resume headline, also known as a resume title, is a brief phrase or sentence that summarizes the candidate’s skills, experience, and career goals. It is usually placed at the top of the resume, just below the contact information.

Resume headlines should be customized to the job applied for and showcase the candidate’s unique value proposition. It’s the first thing recruiters and hiring managers see, so it must make a strong impression.

The Importance of Creative Headlines

Creative headlines not only catch the recruiter’s attention but also make the candidate memorable. A well-crafted headline can pique the employer’s interest, increase the chances of getting an interview, and help the candidate stand out from hundreds of other applicants.

Moreover, creative headlines can demonstrate the candidate’s personality, creativity, and communication skills. It can also show that the applicant is up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the industry.

Steps to Choose the Right Headline

Choosing a resume headline requires a bit of brainstorming, research, and creativity. Here are the steps to choose the right headline:

Identify key skills and experiences: Analyze the job description and highlight the key requirements. Then, match them with your skills and experiences.

Define your value proposition: What unique value can you offer to the employer? What problems can you solve? Use this to craft a compelling headline.

Be specific: Avoid generic or vague headlines such as “Dynamic Sales Professional” or “Results-driven Manager.” Instead, use specific keywords that are relevant to the job and demonstrate your expertise.

Keep it concise: A headline should be short and sweet, ideally no more than 10 words. Avoid jargon or complex terms that may confuse the reader.

Test and iterate: Show your headline to friends or colleagues to get feedback. Tweak it until you have a headline that resonates with your target audience.

By following these steps, job seekers can create a resume headline that stands out and makes a favorable first impression. In the next section, we’ll take a look at 50 creative resume headline examples that can inspire candidates to come up with their own unique headlines.

Common Types of Creative Resume Headlines

When it comes to creating a resume that stands out, the headline is the first thing that catches the recruiter’s eye. A good resume headline should convey your skills, experience, and unique selling proposition in a succinct and eye-catching manner. Here are five common types of creative resume headlines to give you an idea of what works best for you:

Jargon headlines use technical or industry-specific terms and buzzwords that hiring managers are likely to be familiar with. This is an effective strategy if you’re applying for a job in a technical or specialized field where specific skills are required. For example, “SEO Specialist with 5+ Years of Experience in Analyzing SERP Rankings.”

B. Summary Statements

A summary statement gives a brief overview of your career achievements and goals. This type of headline is suitable for mid-career professionals who want to highlight their accomplishments and experience without getting into specifics. For example, “Experienced Marketing Manager with Proven Track Record of Result-Driven Campaigns.”

C. Branding

A branding headline is all about establishing your personal brand and uniqueness in the job market. This type of headline is suitable for creative professionals who want to showcase their personality and creativity. For example, “Award-Winning Graphic Designer with a Passion for Minimalist Aesthetics.”

D. Position-Specific Headlines

A position-specific headline is tailored to the specific job you are applying for. It highlights your relevant skills and experience, making it clear to the hiring manager that you have what it takes to excel in this position. For example, “Content Marketing Manager with Expertise in Analytics and Lead Generation.”

E. Qualifications

A qualifications headline emphasizes your educational background, certifications, and other credentials that make you qualified for the job. This type of headline is suitable for recent graduates or professionals making a career change. For example, “Master’s Degree in Business Administration with Concentration in Marketing and 2+ Years of Experience in Public Relations.”

A well-crafted resume headline can make all the difference in getting noticed by potential employers. By using one of these five common types of creative resume headlines, you can showcase your skills and experience in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd.

50 Creative Resume Headline Examples

When crafting your resume, one of the most important things to consider is your headline. A well-written headline can grab a hiring manager’s attention and make them want to read more about you. Here are 50 creative resume headline examples to help you stand out from the crowd.

If you’re in a niche industry or field, using industry-specific jargon can show that you’re knowledgeable and experienced. Consider these examples:

• “Marketing Maven on a Mission”
• “Software Samurai Seeking Challenges”
• “UX/UI Guru: Crafting Seamless User Experiences for Enhanced Customer Engagement”
• “Software Engineering Extraordinaire: Architecting Scalable Solutions with Agile Methodologies”
• “Graphic Design Dynamo: Transforming Ideas into Visually Stunning Masterpieces”
• “Financial Wizard: Maximizing Profits and Minimizing Risk through Strategic Investments”
• “Content Marketing Jedi: Captivating Audiences with Compelling Storytelling and SEO Magic”
• “Sales Dynamo: Closing High-Value Deals and Exceeding Revenue Targets”
• “Human Resources Ninja: Cultivating Positive Workplace Culture and Nurturing Talent for Organizational Success”
• “Data Science Alchemist: Unleashing Hidden Insights through Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning”

B. Summary Statement

A summary statement is a brief introduction of who you are and what you can bring to the table. Here are a few examples:

• “Innovative Problem Solver Focusing on Optimization”
• “Marketing Expert with a Passion for Storytelling”
• “Accomplished Sales Professional with a proven track record of exceeding revenue targets and building long-term client relationships.”
• “Seasoned Project Manager with extensive experience leading cross-functional teams and successfully delivering complex initiatives within scope, budget, and schedule.”
• “Highly skilled Marketing Specialist with a deep understanding of digital marketing strategies and a passion for driving brand growth.”
• “Accomplished Financial Analyst with expertise in financial modeling, data analysis, and forecasting.”
• “Results-oriented Human Resources Manager with a proven ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent.”
• “Dynamic IT Professional with a broad range of technical expertise and a passion for leveraging technology to drive business success.”
• “Experienced Customer Service Manager known for delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving customer satisfaction.”
• “Results-driven Supply Chain Analyst with a strong background in logistics and inventory management.”

Branding your headline can set you apart from other candidates and make you memorable. Try these branding examples:

• “The Marketing Mind That Generates ROI”
• “The Design Wizard with a Knack for Visual Storytelling”
• “The Social Media Guru: Building Online Communities and Driving Engagement”
• “The Strategic Business Partner: Aligning HR Initiatives with Organizational Goals”
• “The Tech Innovator: Transforming Ideas into Cutting-Edge Solutions”
• “The Creative Content Strategist: Crafting Compelling Narratives to Captivate Audiences”
• “The Financial Strategist: Orchestrating Wealth Management for Long-Term Prosperity”
• “The Operations Maestro: Streamlining Processes for Operational Excellence”
• “The Customer Experience Architect: Creating Memorable Journeys for Every Interaction”
• “The Data Whisperer: Unlocking Insights and Driving Data-Driven Decisions”

If you’re applying for a specific position, creating a headline that highlights your skills and experience in that area can be effective. Consider these examples:

• “The Software Developer with a Speciality in AI”
• “The Marketing Manager with a Knack for Market Analytics”
• “The Customer Success Champion: Building Strong Client Relationships and Driving Customer Satisfaction”
• “The Supply Chain Maestro: Streamlining Operations for Seamless Logistics and Cost Efficiency”
• “The Data Science Wizard: Extracting Insights and Unleashing the Power of Big Data”
• “The Creative Director: Inspiring Visual Storytelling and Transforming Ideas into Captivating Designs”
• “The Business Analyst Extraordinaire: Translating Complex Data into Actionable Strategies”
• “The Operations Guru: Driving Efficiency and Process Optimization for Maximum Productivity”
• “The Sales Strategist: Orchestrating Revenue Growth and Expanding Market Share”
• “The HR Trailblazer: Empowering Teams and Fostering a Culture of Collaboration”

Highlighting your qualifications and achievements can be a great way to make a strong impression. Try these qualifications-based headlines:

• “Award-Winning Writer who Excels in Content Creation”
• “Creative Designer with Exceptional Attention to Detail”
• “Results-Driven Professional: Consistently Exceeding Sales Targets and Driving Revenue Growth”
• “Detail-Oriented Analyst: Expertise in Data Analysis and Extracting Actionable Insights”
• “Dynamic Leader: Proven Track Record of Successfully Managing and Motivating High-Performing Teams”
• “Strategic Problem Solver: Proficient in Identifying Challenges and Implementing Effective Solutions”
• “Effective Communicator: Skilled in Building Strong Relationships and Delivering Compelling Presentations”
• “Tech Savvy Innovator: Keeping Abreast of Emerging Technologies and Implementing Cutting-Edge Solutions”
• “Customer-Focused Specialist: Passionate About Providing Exceptional Service and Ensuring Customer Satisfaction”
• “Highly Organized Administrator: Proficient in Streamlining Processes and Managing Multiple Priorities”

By using these 50 creative resume headline examples, you can make sure that your resume stands out from the rest and catches the attention of hiring managers. Remember to tailor your headline to the position you’re applying for and showcase your unique skills and experiences.

Tips to Make Your Headline More Effective

When crafting your resume headline, there are a few key elements to keep in mind that can make a big impact in catching the attention of potential employers.

A. Highlight Your Achievements

One effective way to make your headline stand out is to highlight your achievements. Rather than just listing your job titles, focus on specific accomplishments or successes that you have had in your career so far. This will help demonstrate your value as a potential hire and make you stand out from other candidates.

B. Use Actionable Language

Using actionable language can also be a powerful tool to make your headline more effective. This means using active verbs that imply action and results, rather than simply describing your skills or experience. For example, instead of saying “Experienced Marketing Manager,” try using “Drive Results with Strategic Marketing Leadership.”

C. Show Your Personality

Your headline is also an opportunity to showcase your personality and what sets you apart from other candidates. Consider using a catchy phrase, a play on words, or a unique statement that reflects your personality or personal brand.

D. Keep It Concise

It’s important to keep your headline concise and to the point. Avoid using generic or overly complicated language that may confuse or bore potential employers. Keep your headline short and sweet, highlighting your key skills and accomplishments in as few words as possible.

E. Tailor Your Headline to the Job Post

Finally, it’s important to tailor your headline to the job post you are applying for. This means incorporating relevant keywords and skills that the company is looking for, and highlighting any specific experiences or achievements that make you a strong fit for the role. By customizing your headline to each job, you can increase your chances of standing out and landing an interview.

Using these tips can help you create a more effective and attention-grabbing resume headline that will make you stand out to employers in a crowded job market.

The Don’ts of Creating a Headline

In creating a resume headline that can capture the attention of potential employers, it’s important to avoid certain pitfalls that can turn them off. Here are the “don’ts” of creating a headline that you should keep in mind:

A. Don’t Be Too Generic

A generic headline is one that lacks specificity and fails to convey your unique selling points. Examples of generic headlines include “Experienced Sales Manager” or “Customer Service Representative.” These types of headlines are too vague and do not make you stand out from the thousands of other applicants. To avoid being too generic, focus on using powerful, action-oriented verbs and adjectives that will showcase your strengths, skills, and experiences.

B. Don’t Use Inappropriate Language

Using inappropriate language, including slang or profanity, in your headline can be a quick way to turn off potential employers. It may give them the impression that you lack professionalism and may not be a good fit for their company culture. Keep your language professional and avoid slang or any language that could be deemed offensive or unprofessional.

C. Don’t Be Offensive

While it may be tempting to use a headline that is provocative or edgy to grab attention, it’s important to be mindful of what may be considered offensive. This includes anything that is racist, sexist, homophobic, or discriminatory in any way. Avoid using humor that may be inappropriate or detract from your professional qualifications.

D. Don’t Use Clichés

Cliché phrases like “team player,” “detail-oriented,” or “results-driven” are frequently overused in resumes and headlines. These phrases have become so commonplace that they no longer communicate anything of value. Instead, try to find unique and specific ways to describe your skills and accomplishments in a way that sets you apart from others.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can create a strong and effective headline that highlights your unique strengths and experiences, and impress potential employers with your professionalism and attention to detail.

How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market

When it comes to standing out in a competitive job market, your resume is your first chance to make an impression. To make yourself stand out from the crowd, consider the following tips:

A. Use Keywords

Employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through resumes and identify potential candidates. To ensure your application makes it to a real person’s desk, be sure to include relevant keywords for the job you’re applying for.

Review the job description and highlight any skills or experience that match your own. Include these keywords in your resume, both in the main body and in any skill or qualifications sections. This will help you get past the initial ATS and stand out to human hiring managers.

B. Include Metrics and Data

Numbers and data can help quantify your accomplishments and make your resume more memorable.

Include quantifiable information whenever possible, such as sales figures, the total number of clients served, or the number of projects completed. Use bullet points to list your accomplishments and keep them organized and easy to read.

C. Focus on Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied to a variety of industries or job titles. Emphasize these skills in your resume, especially if you’re changing careers or applying to a new industry.

Examples of transferable skills include communication, problem-solving, project management, and teamwork. Highlight these skills in your employment history and use them to connect your past experience to the job you’re applying for.

D. Emphasize Your Industry Knowledge and Experience

Your industry knowledge and experience are critical factors in making you stand out in a competitive job market. Use your resume to showcase your knowledge of industry trends, best practices, and innovations.

Highlight any certifications or training programs you’ve completed that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. Be sure to showcase any past experience you have working in this field, emphasizing the results you achieved and the impact you made.

By following these tips, you can produce a creative and standout resume that will catch an employer’s eye in a highly competitive job market.

Frequently Asked Questions about Resume Headlines

Creating a strong resume is crucial to getting your foot in the door with potential employers. One component of a successful resume is a well-crafted headline. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you understand the importance of a resume headline:

A. What is a resume headline?

A resume headline is a short phrase or sentence that appears at the top of your resume. Its purpose is to succinctly summarize your relevant skills and experience to catch the attention of hiring managers.

B. What makes a good resume headline?

A good resume headline should be specific and relevant to the job for which you are applying. It should highlight your most impressive professional achievements and qualifications. Avoid using generic statements that do not add value to your application.

C. How long should a resume headline be?

Your resume headline should be brief and to the point. It should ideally be no longer than one line and contain no more than 10-12 words. Captivating and memorable headlines make a stronger impact than lengthy and generic ones.

D. Where should a resume headline be placed?

Your resume headline should appear at the top of your resume, directly under your name and contact information. It should be in a larger font than the rest of the text and bold to make it stand out.

E. What are some tips for optimizing a resume headline for an online job search?

In the age of online job applications, it’s essential to optimize your resume headline to appeal to online algorithms and hiring managers. Here are a few tips to consider:

• Use keywords that are relevant to the job listing to help your resume appear in search results
• Avoid using all caps or special characters in your headline, as it can appear unprofessional
• Tailor your headline to the specific job you are applying for, rather than using a generic statement
• Keep it concise, creative, and easy to read, as hiring managers often skim resumes quickly.

By following these guidelines, you can create an attention-grabbing resume headline that increases the chances of landing that dream job.

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10 CREATIVE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR RESUME STAND OUT

A resume is an essential tool that helps job seekers showcase their qualifications, experiences, and achievements to potential employers. However, with so many applicants vying for the same position, it can be challenging to make your resume stand out from the rest. In this blog post, we will discuss ten creative ways to make your resume stand out and help you land your dream job.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR RESUME FOR EACH JOB APPLICATION:

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is sending out the same resume for every job application. However, it is important to tailor your resume to fit the specific requirements of the position. Use keywords from the job description, highlight your relevant skills and experiences, and tweak your resume’s format to make it easier for recruiters to scan quickly.

USE A VISUALLY APPEALING DESIGN:

While the content of your resume is critical, it’s also essential to make sure it looks visually appealing. A visually appealing design can help your resume stand out from the rest. Use a professional-looking font and add some color to highlight key sections or make them stand out. You can use tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to design your resume.

Crafting an Effective Summary or Objective Statement for Your Resume

Your resume’s summary or objective statement is the gateway to catching the recruiter’s attention. As the first thing they see, it’s crucial to make it stand out. Your summary or objective statement should highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. It should also explain how you can add value to the company and demonstrate your fit for the role. By creating a strong summary or objective statement, you can make a positive first impression and increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.

SHOWCASE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS:

Don’t just list your job duties; highlight your accomplishments and how they benefited your previous employers. Incorporate Quantifiable Data to Strengthen Your Resume Statements. For example, instead of saying you managed a team, say that you managed a team of ten and increased productivity by 20%. This helps demonstrate your impact and value.

INCLUDE RELEVANT CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS:

If you have any relevant certifications or awards, include them on your resume to show that you have gone above and beyond in your field. This can help demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your career. For example, if you have a certification in digital marketing, include it on your resume to showcase your skills in that area. By including relevant certifications and awards, you can make your resume more keyword-friendly, particularly if you’re using a resume maker Malaysia .

ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH:

Include a personal touch to your resume to make it more memorable. For example, you could add a quote that represents your work ethic or include a short personal anecdote that highlights your skills. This can help you stand out from the rest of the applicants and make a positive impression on the recruiter.

USE ACTIVE LANGUAGE:

Use strong action verbs and active language to describe your experiences and achievements. This helps make your resume more engaging and gives the impression that you are proactive and capable. For example, instead of saying you “assisted” with a project, say you “led” the project or “collaborated” with a team to complete it.

INCLUDE RELEVANT HOBBIES AND INTERESTS:

If you have any relevant hobbies or interests that showcase your skills or personality, include them on your resume. This can give recruiters a glimpse into who you are beyond your work experience. For example, if you volunteer at a local non-profit, include it on your resume to showcase your commitment to giving back to the community.

USE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS:

Choose a Professional and easy-to-remember Email Address for Your Resume. Avoid using unprofessional email addresses or ones that are difficult to remember. Your email address should be a combination of your first and last name or some variation of it.

PROOFREAD AND EDIT YOUR RESUME:

Finally, prioritize proofreading and editing your resume for a flawless application. typos and grammar errors can make a negative impression on recruiters and diminish your chances of getting hired. You should also ask a friend or family member to review your resume for any mistakes or areas that could be improved. Having another set of eyes can help you catch errors you may have missed.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, making your resume stand out from the rest is essential to securing your dream job. By customizing your resume for each job application, using a visually appealing design, starting with a strong summary or objective statement, showcasing your achievements, including relevant certifications and awards, adding a personal touch, using active language, including relevant hobbies and interests, using a professional email address, and proofreading and editing your resume, you can make a positive impression on recruiters and increase your chances of getting hired. Good luck on your job search!

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