Often, two candidates applying at a top construction have similar educational and professional backgrounds. So, who gets the interview? To stand out, you need to create a strong resume, and the words you use can make all of the difference. Keep in mind that your resume is often the first impression that potential employers have of you. In this article, we will go over some quick tips to best showcase yourself.
The adage “It is not what you say, but how you say it” rings true when creating your resume. The words you use to describe yourself, your experience, and what you can bring to your next employer can and will make a difference.
On average, a recruiter or employer will spend less than a minute looking at each resume. This means that the words you use need to be the ones they are looking for and immediately catch their interest.
When writing your resume, remember that less is more. To achieve this, rather than creating complete sentences, use bulleted lists that include keywords that are included in the job posting.
In addition to using keywords from the job posting, use strong action words to describe your experience and be sure to quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. Focus on achievements and successes more than merely stating duties and responsibilities. Share real numbers such as: “increased sales by 45%” or “project completed 25% under budget.”
Some great action words include:
- Coordinated
- Organized
- Operated
- Developed
- Decreased/Increased
- Launched
- Achieved
In addition, do not be afraid of some white space to improve readability. Leaving space between sections helps the eye scan the entire document and allows each section to be easily discovered and reviewed.
Keeping the above tips in mind will also ensure that your resume gets through any electronic scanning processes and into the right hands. Using the concept of “Less is More” while integrating impactful words will help hiring managers and recruiters learn who you are, what you do, and how you can help their organization move forward.
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