Is Your Resume Bland?

Crafting a great resume is an initial first step for grabbing a hiring manager’s attention and getting your foot in the door. Without a rock-solid resume, you’re unlikely to ever be invited to an interview. In fact, “One in five recruiters will actually reject a candidate before they’ve finished reading their resume.”

What if your resume is bland? Here’s how to create a straightforward resume that paints a great picture of your experience and qualifications.

Start With the Right Font

Would you believe that 31 percent of recruiters reject a resume because of inappropriate font? It’s true. So stick with a standard font that reads easily on a computer or mobile device. For instance, Arial, Georgia and Calibri tend to work well.

Get Creative When Showcasing Your Skills 

One of the best things about hiring managers viewing resumes digitally is you can seamlessly insert links to external sources. This is an excellent way for them to learn more about your accomplishments and what you’re capable of as an employee.

For example, you could set up a portfolio providing samples of your work on a website and incorporate a link to it under the “experience” section. You may even want to include graphs, charts and relevant images to give it plenty of eye appeal.

Consider Using an Infographic to Highlight Your Experience 

Breaking information down visually tends to be a great way to get your point across. In the case of your experience, an infographic can really spice it up and lets a hiring manager get a quick overview of your past.

While you don’t want to be “too cute” or over the top, this is an option worth considering and is almost guaranteed to make your resume stand out. To learn more about the process and see examples, check out this post from Fast Company.

Ditch the Clichés  

Another major turnoff among hiring managers is when applicants pack their resumes with annoying clichés. In fact, half of hiring managers actually reject a resume because of this. If you really want to separate yourself from the pack, stay away from these top five clichés:

  1. I can work independently
  2. I’m a hard worker
  3. I work well under pressure
  4. I’m enthusiastic
  5. I’m a team player

Instead, try to include specific, quantifiable information that tangibly demonstrates your ability. For instance, you might say “I helped increase sales by 20 percent between the first and third quarter of 2015.”

With many recruiters being swamped with stacks of resumes, you need to go the extra mile to make yours stand out. By thinking outside the box and capitalizing on the digital format, you can increase your likelihood of making a splash and getting an interview.

Looking for career opportunities in your area? Get in touch with Encadria Staffing Solutions today.

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