Tips to help you stand out in your career search
By Bob Dale and Heather Black
The job market has changed, and potential employees are no longer in the driver’s seat. For people searching for new employment opportunities there are many considerations. Due to the advances of social media, use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and expectations of recruiters, a lot has changed in the past few years. Your approach needs to change too. Leveraging the latest trends in resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and AI tools can help you stand out in today’s competitive job market. Here are some tips on how to get started.
Keep your resume concise
Aim for one page if you have under 10 years of experience and extend to two pages for longer careers. Prioritize the last 15 years, emphasizing essential details and achievements that align with your target role.
Pass the six-second test
Statistics indicate that recruiters spend an average of six seconds per resume, focusing on the top 1/3 of the page. Utilize this space wisely. Skip the objective statement; instead, captivate hiring managers with a profile statement—a brief, compelling personal pitch that highlights your value to the company.
Quantify achievements
Your resume should be more than a list of tasks. To stand out, demonstrate your contributions and highlight results achieved so cruiters and employers to rank job applications. Include a cover letter employers can understand your potential impact on their organization. Start each bullet point with strong action verbs like ‘directed,’ ‘assessed,’ ‘streamlined’, or ‘designed.’ Provide context to showcase the purpose of your work and quantify your achievements when possible.
Leave out the fluff
Try to refrain from using unnecessary words that not only take up space, but also add zero value. Anyone can say they are a ‘passionate and motivated team player’ or that they are ‘detail-oriented,’ ‘innovative,’ ‘strategic,’ or ‘creative’. Focus on accomplishments rather than cliches, and if you use buzzwords, make sure they are tied directly to demonstrated achievements in your bullet points.
Leverage keywords
AI tools like ChatGPT can be used for keywords for resumes. Copy the job description into the AI chat field with the following prompt: Identify the most important keywords for this role. Take it a step further by adding in your resume and instruct the AI to strategically integrate these keywords into your resume to help you stand out. Using job-specific keywords is important if your resume is scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS), which is software used by recruiters and employers to rank job applications.
Include a cover letter
Craft a well-thought-out cover letter that tells your unique connection to the role you’re applying for. Keep it concise and impactful for a better chance at an interview. Structure the cover letter with an engaging opening paragraph followed by three to four bullet points specifically addressing the key job requirements. End with a closing paragraph that confidently requests an interview.
Optimize online presence
Make sure you have a professional profile picture. Save your vacation shots, selfies, and formal event pictures for Facebook. A picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure yours says, ‘professional,’ ‘approachable,’ and ‘confident.’
Let recruiters find you
Privately signal to recruiters that you are open to new job opportunities on LinkedIn. To enable this feature, go to the jobs tab on the top menu, click on preferences, and then turn on ‘open to work’. This makes your profile visible to recruiters only. Next, fill out your job preferences and then save. We hope these suggestions help you as you prepare for the next stage of your career.
This article first appeared in PrintAction July/August 2024
Bob Dale is vice-president of Connecting for Results. Heather Black is managing director, talent and strategy, at Connecting for Results. They can be reached at info@connectingforresults.com.
From technical experts to skilled leaders, and everything in between, Connecting for Results helps companies find the right people to grow their business. Whether it’s running machines or managing printing operations, we help industry talent find their next career opportunity.
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