5 resume tips to help get you hired faster

Your resume is your main job-hunting tool. Its quality can make or break your chances of getting interviewed. So how can you improve your resume and potentially get hired faster?

If you're applying into different fields, tailor your resume for each one. As your main tool in the job-hunting process, you should invest effort into adapting the message in your resume for each potential employer. It shows that you're interested and pay attention to details. What's more:

• Avoid sending out the same resume to different industries, which may place more or less emphasis on different types of skills or experience.
• Omit experience that's not relevant to the job in question, and try including specific elements such as ways you feel you can help make a contribution to that specific organization, relevant experience to the position you're applying for, and any relevant awards or previous accomplishments.

When designing the layout of your resume, make sure it is, above all else, easy to read.

• To do that, place the most relevant information at the top, including skills and experience.
• Also, use appropriate spacing to keep it clean and simple looking, and avoid using fancy fonts or unnecessary design elements.

Today, many resumes are submitted online. These systems typically have a tough time deciphering elaborate fonts, bullets, and fancy design elements. Keep it clean, simple, and easy to read. This will improve your chances of getting noticed by a prospective employer.

Add metrics wherever you can.

• Employers can evaluate you better using metrics. It also allows them to see exactly how successful you have been in your career so far.
• Backing up any vague performance claims with quantifiable information can also give your resume more credibility. For example, "grew sales by 15 per cent year after year..." rather than just "grew sales."

Your resume is a reflection of who you are and how you work.

• Make it a habit to review it for any factual errors, typos, poor formatting or poor grammar.
• Ask a friend to review it as well to ensure it's error-free before you send it out. One typo or inaccuracy could cost you the interview.

Your potential employer is likely sifting through hundreds of resumes. They don’t have time to read lengthy documentation.

• Keep your resume short and concise.
• One- to two-page resumes will perform best.