The job market is quite busy these days. Thousands of people try their luck with new opportunities to step up their careers. Some land an interview and then the job on the first try, some get constructive feedback on why they cannot take the job, and other applicants simply never receive a response to their application to an office.
There may be multiple reasons for an application or a resume not to work, especially for an office job application. When sending out their resume, it must be immaculate and exhausting in terms of qualifications and competencies. So, before moving to the tips for a good office resume, let’s see the peculiarities of those for an office job.
What are the specifics of an office resume?
- Office recruiters pay a lot of attention to the resume’s formatting;
- The delivery and writing are important on resumes for positions that involve work with information;
- Due to the number of applicants for each vacant position, the resume must be easy to scan;
- Many offices in large companies use applicant-tracking systems to automate the hiring process, so it is important to use the right keywords not to get skipped.
So, with these specifics in mind, let’s check out the tips from professional resume writers who know how to make an application stand out.
Maintain your resume
Starting to compose the resume when you see a good opening may have a messy result. When one has to complete it under the pressure of a deadline, one may forget to mention something important or overlook a typo. Even if you are not planning to quit your job, it is much easier to catch the right opportunity with a resume that is application-ready at all times.
To maintain the relevance of your resume, document all your accomplishments and new qualifications in a simple draft. With all the information in one place, it will be much easier to organize it into an impressive resume without missing anything important.
Read the job description carefully
A winning application will hint to the hiring manager that you are a perfect match for the company. How can one achieve it? Reading the job description carefully and customizing the resume and cover letter to fit it. Naturally, one cannot simply lie on their resume about the skills that they do not have. Instead, they can use the wording from the job description, mention the skills required for the position, and reflect the aspirations the company wants to see in the applicant.
Such customization does not require the applicant to make up their persona. It means placing the right accents in the resume to resonate with the recruiter.
Research the company you apply to
It is a good bonus for a resume when the applicant shows interest in a particular company. Take a little time to search for information about the business. First, it will show you if the opportunity is worth the try. Second, it will help to see the company’s ethics. Finally, if the company is good, it will motivate you to make an outstanding application and charm the recruiter during the interview.
Keep it brief
A good resume must be easy to scan. It is enough for an experienced recruiter to glimpse a resume and see if it is relevant. Therefore, do not confuse it with a personal essay or a cover letter. To organize your application well, assemble information in logical blocks. For example, the “must” sections are education, experience, key skills, and other things worth mentioning. Use lists to name your competencies and make it easier for the recruiter to see your qualifications.
Mention only relevant information
With as many talents and interests as one may have, recruiters are only interested in the capabilities that will make you perform well in a particular position. Therefore, ensure that all the information, whether the list of skills, educational background, or professional interests, relates to the performance on the job. In addition, focusing on the job requirements will make it simple to tune the application to the company’s requirements.
Design the resume
Make sure your resume is easy to read and navigate. Apart from the brevity in writing required for a successful application, it must be intelligible visually. Today, many online and offline tools exist for building a resume. You can pick any template, change its colors, and edit the blocks mentioned there. If you have some design skills, go for more professional tools. However, it is best not to go over the top with design, as the resume should stay simplistic.
Proofread the resume
Sometimes, a simple typo or a grammatical error can ruin the first impression. It is important, as one can only make this impression once. To avoid such an occurrence, proofread your resume yourself or use spellcheckers just to ensure it is error-free. If you want to be positive about correctness, you can use the help of professional services.
Optimize your resume
As mentioned, offices often use applicant tracking systems and ATS bots to filter the relevant resumes. To compose a bot-beating resume, you need to use specific keywords that the software will recognize and greenlight. Then, use the job description to clarify the words and include them in the application.
Include a cover letter, if needed
The resume itself is not a place for extensive and emotional writing. However, if you feel like there is more you can say to land a job, you can include it all in the cover letter. A cover letter fill helps to reveal your motivation and goals and draw a vivid picture of your personality. Use a cover letter to communicate everything beyond a resume’s brevity.
To sum it up
Writing an effective resume is not magic. However, there are rules and principles that work for employers. Usually, the key to success is dedicating time, thought, and effort to an effective resume. Try these simple tips to craft a perfect resume for your ambitions, or reach out to SkillHub’s professionals and let them do the work for you!