Very few will argue that the job market is more competitive than it has been in recent years. As company after company is forced to downsize, these displaced workers are adding to the pool of jobseekers competing for available jobs. With so much competition in the marketplace, how can you increase your chances of standing out from the crowd? The first step is to develop a resume that accurately represents your experience, while highlighting your accomplishments in a concise, professional format.
A recent survey conducted by TheLadders.com, a job board catering to mid-senior level jobseekers, asked more than 500 recruitement professionals to share the top ten criteria that they look for in a resume. This is what they had to say:
- Areas of expertise: Recruiters said that demonstrating a strong area of expertise is what sets a candidate apart from the pack.
- Relevant industry experience: Recruiters want to know instantly that a candidate has a solid track record of success.
- Leadership capabilities: Has the candidate managed a business unit? A sales team? Recruiters in the $100K+ job market are looking for proven leaders.
- A strong professional summary: Akin to the liner notes on a best-selling novel, a succinct and engaging professional summary is one of the first things recruiters read on a candidate's resume.
- Education credentials: Recruiters want to know where candidates went to school and how well they did when they were there.
- Professionalism in the presentation: An effective, well-organized resume helps recruiters quickly and easily focus on the candidate's qualifications.
- Strong quantitative accomplishments: Candidates must demonstrate quantifiable accomplishments and results that show how they contributed to the bottom line.
- Technical/business skills: What certifications does the candidate have? If a candidate has a strong skill set in a particular area, make sure the recruiter has the technical details.
- Stability at a company (tenure): Has the candidate job hopped every other year or do they show a consistent track record on tenure? Commitment is important.
- Summarized job descriptions: Rather than providing a bullet list of duties, a candidate should summarize key responsibilities and focus on measurable results
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