Instantly stand out

Welcome to Career Insider. On average, hiring managers look at a resume for less than 10 seconds before deciding to interview that person.

Worse, some employers use AI (artificial intelligence) systems to scan resumes for keywords. If the job opening attracts a lot of interest, they will spend even less time on each resume.

What is the moral of this story? You need to get your resume right. And you can’t just have one version of your resume, either. Why?

More on this below.

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RESUMES
How to design a resume that instantly stands out

In a sea of hundreds or even thousands of applicants, how can you ensure your resume stands out and showcases you as the best candidate for the role you’re applying for?

Here are six expert-level tips to put your resume on top of the pile.

1: Focus on specific traits.

Read and reread the job posting. Pick out the keywords and phrases. Note anything repeated - a specific qualification or skill set, for example. Look at job postings for similar roles within the company to determine what type of employees they’re searching for. Use this knowledge to ensure your resume checks all of their boxes.

2: Tailor your resume for the job you want.

You should have multiple versions of your resume for the different roles you’re applying for.

For example, suppose you previously held a position as a medical receptionist. In that case, your resume for a customer service role should highlight your achievements in the customer-facing aspect of the position. Likewise, your resume for a finance position should focus on your results and skills in the billing aspect of the role. Focus your resume on the specific qualifications the employer is looking for.

3: Make sure your resume is readable.

Your formatting should be easy to read, and the order in which items are listed should make sense to the reader.

Use a simple font and keep graphics and icons to a minimum. The general rule of thumb is to start with professional experience and list it in reverse chronological order (current or most recent to oldest).

If your resume includes a specific role that is not your most recent but is the most relevant, use headings to differentiate it, such as “[Specific Field/Role] Professional Experience” and then “Other Relevant Professional Experience.”

After the professional experience, list skills/qualifications and certifications, followed by education and references. Keep each section on the same page to avoid breaking them up and potentially confusing the reader, and adjust your margins to eliminate extraneous white space.

Finally, to avoid any wonky formatting issues, save the resume as a PDF (preferred) and a Microsoft Word document, which some companies ask for specifically.

4: Use strong, active language to keep it short and direct.

Use strong action verbs to help your resume stand out, provide clarity, and demonstrate ownership of your accomplishments. Refer back to the job posting(s) from step one and incorporate those keywords and phrases where applicable. Use present tense for your current role and past tense for previous positions. 

For example:

Passive voice (don’t use this): “A promotion was awarded to me after I secured a new client.”

Active voice (use this): “I was promoted after securing a new client.”

5: Include important achievements and results using numbers and metrics.

Use data as much as possible to prove your worth and demonstrate just how meaningful your accomplishments were to the company. Quantifying your accomplishments can help you stand out from other candidates and indicate that you are results-oriented. 

For example, you didn’t just bring in a new customer. You brought in a new $10 million customer. See how much more powerful data can be?

6: Have someone else proofread it.

By now, you’ve reread your own resume a hundred times. Your brain knows what it’s supposed to say and, as such, may skip over misspellings or grammatical errors. To a recruiter or a hiring manager, these errors can come across as laziness, especially when they appear on your resume, where you should put your best foot forward. Having someone else proofread your resume can help ensure it is error-free and ready for submission.

MONEY
How to Balance Work and Parenting

It’s not easy working a full-time job while caring for your children. Here’s expert advice from someone who’s doing exactly that.

My husband and I both work, making taking care of our 2-year-old son challenging. But here’s what I’m doing to make it easier.

Commit to your work hours - and stick to them

Think of your work/pay as a financial transaction. Anything outside of your agreed-upon terms should be paid more or delegated to another team member. Of course, the occasional emergency will arise in which you’ll need to be flexible, but should it happen more frequently, it might be time to discuss solutions with your colleagues and/or employer.

Establish clear calendar boundaries, including accessibility outside of work hours. Block off time in your work schedule so meetings cannot be scheduled to overlap with personal obligations, like your child’s recital, for example. 

Utilize task lists

Effective task lists are key. By categorizing and prioritizing tasks, you can ensure that both work assignments and family commitments are met. For example, creating a daily to-do list that includes work deadlines, school pickups, and meal planning can help maintain organization and reduce stress in managing multiple responsibilities.

Learn how to say “no”

Learning to say 'no' to additional work responsibilities or work-related social obligations can help prioritize family time. For instance, politely declining a last-minute work meeting so you can attend a child's school event will create a healthier work-life balance.

Turn abstract goals into concrete plans

Break down blanket objectives into smaller, more achievable tasks. For instance, instead of aiming to "spend more quality time with family," set a specific goal like "drive my son to his sports practices and have a family game night every Friday". This can help solidify your intentions and make them more attainable, even with a busy schedule.

Communicate openly with your employer and/or HR manager

You can create a more supportive work environment by discussing possible flexible work options or adjusting deadlines when needed. For example, you might propose a schedule that allows you to pick up your children from school while still meeting all work requirements effectively and efficiently.

Find reliable childcare

Research local childcare options, read reviews, and ask for recommendations to ensure a safe, reliable, and nurturing environment for your children while you're at work. Everyone’s childcare options and budget are different, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Enrolling your child in a daycare center with experienced staff and positive parent testimonials can give you peace of mind during work hours, as can enlisting a reliable grandparent or family friend - whichever works best for you and your family.

Don’t forget your partner

Make sure to involve your partner to share responsibilities and support each other. Communicate openly about schedules, tasks, and any challenges you may face to work as a team. For example, using a shared online calendar and taking turns with childcare duties to ensure both parents have quality time with the children (and quality alone time) can strengthen your family bond.

Give yourself some grace

The battle between perfectionism and parent guilt is ongoing and very real. At times, you will feel like you’re being pulled in opposite directions. Celebrate your wins, and don’t get too hard on yourself when you feel you’ve underperformed. Learn from it and move on to the next win.

CLICKS
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