You only have one chance to make a first impression, so why not start with a great resume to get you noticed.

If you combine relevant experience with an effective resume, you’ll coast right into the interview.  Here are some essential tips in your quest to impress recruiters.

1. Think of your resume as a marketing tool 
   A resume is a strategic tool for marketing your individual brand.  Think strategically as you build it.  Yes, it’s a summary of your work experience and professional history, but should also summarize what you’ve accomplished in the past and what you can offer in the future.

2. Tailor your resume to each job 
   Customize your resume for each role you’re applying for.  Take the time to research the company and thoroughly read the job description. Figure out exactly what the Company is looking for, then reflect those qualifications in your resume.
   
   

3. Use a sleek, uncluttered design
   An easy to read resume will impress a recruiter immediately.  Remember to:

   • Make use of white space
   • Cut out irrelevant experience
   • Use easy to read fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial
   • Use point size 10, 11, or 12
   • Include bullet points, short paragraphs, measurable achievements, and industry-specific keywords.

    

4. Put work experience before education

   Recruiters want to see your professional experience and skills, so put this ahead of your educational accomplishments. If you’re concerned about age discrimination, leave off your year of graduation. Organizations just want to see you have a relevant degree, and don’t care as much about when you received it.

5. Offer a skills summary at the beginning
   Open the resume with an introductory profile or synopsis.  It can simply be a short paragraph that is a snapshot of your skills and experience, as it relates to the role you’re applying to. Think of it as a 30 second elevator pitch that sets the stage for what's to come. 

6. Highlight Accomplishments 
   Focus on your achievements and how you’ve made a difference in companies.  Explain what you’ve accomplished and why you did the job better than someone else. Use numbers to quantify achievements, when possible. 

   Remember | Past performance indicates future performance.  By highlighting past areas of success, you’ll demonstrate to the recruiter you’ll be similarly successful in the future.

7. Organize experience in reverse chronological order 
   Order your work experience from most to least recent.  Recruiters should easily be able to see your career progression, at a glance.

   If you have employment gaps, address them with a brief explanation. For example, make note that the Company you worked for laid off a workers, or that you traveled internationally.

8. Capture Relevant Technologies
   For technical resumes, be sure to capture the relevant technologies and tools you’ve worked with. This can be summarized at the bottom of each role or in a separate skills matrix toward the end of the resume.
   
   

9.  Proofread. Proofread. Proofread.  
   Make sure your resume is detail-oriented. Ensure a consistent design, with intentional margins, font, font size, and spacing.  Second, double check your spelling, punctuation, and word choice. For technical resumes, one should avoid spell check, as many 'techie' words are not included in Word processing dictionaries. 
   
   Remember | Attention to detail is important, as hiring managers (and recruiters) will take mistakes as an indication of a person’s lack of interest and care. 

10. Keep references on a separate document 
    Do not put the names of your References on the resume. These should be provided as a separate document or list upon request.

11.  Boost your LinkedIn Profile
    Many recruiters will check you out on LinkedIn, so be sure to build up your LinkedIn profile.  Use action verbs and highlight your accomplishments; and include testimonials from past employers and co-workers.  Also be sure that your LinkedIn profile and resume are consistent with each other. 

    Have questions about how to make a rock star resume? Send us a note jobs@amtrasolutions.com. 

Photo credit: http://blog.stephengates.com/2015/07/21/how-to-write-a-resume-that-will-get-you-noticed/