Most job applicants struggle to tailor their resume to the job description. This failure to creatively write a resume to align with the jobs they are applying for can considerably lower their chances of securing an interview.
In the competitive world of job hunting, your resume serves as your first impression on potential employers. When you write a resume, it is like getting a ticket to an interview and, ultimately, your dream job.
According to recent statistics, over 80 percent of resumes don’t move past the first screening, and only 1 in 10 get to a hiring manager.
Below are some ways to creatively write a resume for your dream job.
Use Resume Writing Tools
Many job seekers are now using resume writing tools, like LinkedIn Profile Writing Services, to organize their resumes.
Resume-generating tools can organize your resume to increase its chances of appearing in recruiters’ searches around the world.
The other advantages of resume-generating tools include:
- Professional Formatting – Resume writing tools have many pre-designed professional resume templates that can resonate with potential employers.
- Identify Errors – A resume riddled with errors has little chance of progressing to the next level. Resume writing tools have grammar and spell checkers that can easily spot the errors and typos that skip your eyes.
- Keyword optimization – With resume writing tools, you can access relevant keywords for the job position you are applying for.
Remember that resume writing tools can only help you organize what you feed into them. Always review the information you insert into resume writing tools to ensure accuracy.
Understand the Job
Before you write a resume, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of what the job entails. And thereafter, ask yourself if you have the skills, qualifications, and attributes the job requires.
Your answers to these questions will help you determine whether the job you want to apply for aligns with your career goals.
If you do not have the requisite skills for the advertised position, you can prepare and obtain the required certifications which you can include in your resume.
you can direct your energy and effort to another job posting.
On the other hand, if you feel you have what the job requires, you can tailor your resume to highlight the skills most relevant for that position.
Do not write a resume until you have researched the employer’s company. Often, job postings have information you can leverage. If not, do your research about the values, culture, and mission of the hiring company.
Choose the Right Resume Format
One of the first things recruiters notice in your resume is the format. A poor resume format can mean the end of the road for you in the hiring process.
An excellent resume format, on the other hand, can make a good first impression and increase your chances of landing a job interview. Below are some attributes of an excellent resume format:
- Clear and easy to read – Recruiters love resumes that are easy to read and understand at a glance. A good resume should also be visually appealing to the reader. To achieve a visually appealing resume, use clear fonts and adequate white spaces in your resume.
- A Brief Summary – Crafting a summary of your qualifications and career can give recruiters a quick overview of your candidacy.
- Make it Relevant – Customize your resume for each job application to highlight your most relevant qualifications for that position.
- Length – Experts advise your resume should be one to two pages. Recruiters have little time to read all the resumes they receive, so staying within one or two pages is ideal.
- A well-formatted resume is vital because it helps you make a good impression and increases your chances of securing an interview with
Craft a Unique Visual Design
A resume with a unique visual design has a better chance of standing out and progressing in the recruitment process than resumes with poor visual designs. You can create a resume with a unique visual design by doing the following:
- Use Visual Hierarchy – Because recruiters have little time to examine resumes, they make decisions quickly. Arranging your resume in the order of importance means your best qualifications and skills come before other information.
- Use Visual Elements – Although some experts warn against overusing icons and graphical elements in your resume, they can help you create a unique visual design by highlighting your most important skills and qualifications.
- Use Professional Colors – While it is advisable to avoid using distracting colors in your resume, professional colors like black, gray, and navy can make your resume stand out.
When creating a resume with a unique visual design, avoid making it overly flashy. Be moderate and focus on making it easier for recruiters to see your skills and experiences.
Tell a Compelling Story
Storytelling has evolved from simple cave drawings to oral traditions, theater, films, social media, and so on.
Some of the main reasons for storytelling are to educate, advocate, and communicate values and ideas. In the same way, your resume is an opportunity to tell your potential employer the story of your professional journey and experience.
Resumes with a storytelling format are engaging and can capture the attention of recruiters, who may want to know more about you by inviting you to an interview. So learning the art of storytelling can help you create the perfect resume.
Instead of just doing what everyone does by listing your skills and past work experiences, use your resume to weave a beautiful narrative of your career aspirations.
Incorporate Keywords
Every industry has keywords commonly used by its professionals. Using industry-specific keywords in your resume is a quick way to show your familiarity with the position you are applying for.
Recruiters always search for resumes with relevant keywords to sift the grains from the chaff.
Because of the sheer volume of people applying for jobs, recruiters use the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software to search for relevant resumes. According to some experts, recruiters only see a fraction of submitted resumes as ATS software rejects about 75 percent. Resumes without industry-relevant keywords have little chance of going past the initial stage.
You have a duty to carefully review any job posting to identify the relevant industry keywords when enumerating your qualifications, skills, and experience.
Fortunately, most job postings have some of these relevant keywords for those positions. All you have to do is carefully identify the keywords and incorporate them into your resume.
Finally, on How to Creatively Write a Resume for Your Dream Job
A creatively crafted resume can make you stand out from the crowd. This article will explore the art of creatively writing a resume that showcases your qualifications and reflects your unique personality and skills.
By understanding the expectations of your desired position, choosing the correct format, crafting a unique visual design, telling a compelling story, incorporating relevant keywords, and using resume writing tools, you can create a document that impresses employers and reflects your individuality and potential.