The famous German politician Helmut Schmidt once said:
“The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.”
The same goes for your job resume. No matter how good your resume is, there is always something you can improve.
We will show you how to do it!
In the article, you will learn:
- How to improve your resume and make it even better than before
- How an improved resume can enhance your chances of getting a new job
- How to tell incredible stories in your resume sections
- How to present yourself in the best possible way
- How to take advantage of numbers and results
Let’s get right into it!
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How an improved resume can help with your job application
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The better your resume is, the bigger your chances of getting the desired position are.
Do you think your resume is good enough?
If your answer is somewhere between not sure and possibly, read on.
We believe that small improvements in each resume section can go a long way.
Adjusting your summary is valuable for not one but many reasons:
- You’ll be more easily noticed
- Your resume will match the job description
- You’ll talk about achievements, not responsibilities
- You’ll be able to describe both your professional life and personality
Showcase your dragon-slaying stories using various sections
Highlighting the things, you are proudest of is one of the best ways to bring more value to your resume.
There are various sections where you can do so:
- In the subheading section
- In the experience section
- Using special Enhancv sections:
- Most Proud Of
- Strengths
The subheading section is usually right after your Header (the part with your name) and consists of contact information. It’s a great place to catch the eye of the hiring managers.
OK, but isn’t the subheading section too short?
Yes, it is.
Most people think that telling a story requires lots of space and plenty of words.
Ernest Hemingway will disagree.
Rumor says that in 1991, Mr. Hemingway took part in a bet with the Canadian humorist John Robert Colombo, and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.
They bet that he won’t be able to tell a story in just six words.
And they lost…
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” – turned in one of the most famous stories in the world.
Why are we telling you this?
To reassure you that your subheading has enough space to highlight your story!
Check the example below:
Helen used only 4 words to showcase the carrier shift that she has been through. From her subheading, recruiters can learn that she has significant knowledge about fashion, which will be extremely useful in her career as a fashion designer.
That’s what you should be aiming for.
The Experience section is another part of your resume, where you can give valuable information about yourself and your goals.
It is a requirement for virtually all job applications. Without one, employers will assume you’re an amateur who can’t reinforce your listed skills because there’s nothing practical to show for it.
There are plenty of details to share in your experience section:
- Job titles
- Role and responsibilities
- Skills and accomplishments
- Company names
- Dates you’ve worked
Besides that, you can choose between a variety of different resume formats:
- Chronological resume format
- Reverse chronological resume format
- Combination/hybrid resume
- Functional/skills-based resume
Each one has a different goal and specific occasion to be used for, so it’s important you know which is most ideal for your application.
As you can see, there is room for plenty of improvements, so we highly recommend that you read our detailed article on how to perfect the employment experience section along with 5 proven resume work experience samples!
In addition to everything above, Enhancv has 2 special sections to help you tell your resume story even more efficiently:
- Most Proud Of
- Strengths
Both serve a similar purpose and can provide additional information to your future employer.
Take advantage!
Lift the curtain behind who you are beyond the work experience
Now, you have a great knowledge to improve your resume.
But we won’t stop now!
Besides the factual sections where you can tell your story, there are some Enhancv staple sections that can help the hiring managers see who you are beyond your work experience:
- Strengths
- My Time
- Life Philosophy
- Favorite reads/podcasts
We already mentioned the Strengths section above, but besides telling your story, it can be used as a way to describe your personality.
The “My Time” section purpose is also to paint a picture of who you are as a whole, not just at work.
The section looks like a pie chart visual graphic and its purpose is to share how you spend your time.
It’s easy to edit and you can find it in our resume builder!
Another great way to improve your resume is by implementing the “Life philosophy” module.
Check the example below:
Sheryl Sandberg is not only showing that she works as a COO at Facebook, but wants hiring managers to know her life philosophy.
She believes that more women should be in leadership roles.
That means that she has the courage to lead and wants to help other women in their career development and equality.
Last on the list is the “Favorite reads/podcasts“ section. Similarly, the idea of it is to present your interests and hobbies.
Sometimes, sharing the same hobby with your future colleagues can be the pebble that tilts the scales in your favor.
Talk with numbers and results
Numbers have always played a huge role in human history and the way we perceive the world.
In most cases, your future employers will be influenced by the numbers you have added to your summary. This is a powerful tool to improve your resume that you shouldn’t miss.
In the end, highlighting the revenue you achieved with your knowledge and skills is more valuable than a thousand words.
Have a look at the example:
The applicant in the above example not only presents what he did in his previous jobs but also uses numbers to enhance the effect of the results he achieved.
We know that organizing all the data and numbers might be overwhelming…
Don’t worry, we have a solution!
Our Content Analyzer can help you in quantifying achievements, while the Bullet Suggestion widget will help you in organizing them by showing quantifiable achievement bullet points from other successful resumes in your field.
Numbers are not the only ones that are important. Words matter too!
Buzzwords are an effective way to improve your resume. They help with readability, as well as your chances of getting your foot in the front door for an interview.
Be careful though.
According to more than 2,000 hiring managers, overused buzzwords disengage them from the applicant’s resume.
That’s why you need to use them in the right way.
We highly recommend you check our detailed guide, where we have covered everything related to this topic!
Add in the details
We’ve all heard the popular idiom:
“The devil is in the detail”
The same goes for your resume.
The Volunteering and Projects parts of your summary also deserve special attention. Improving them can significantly increase your chances of getting the position.
Why?
According to Deloitte, 82% of the hiring managers prefer applicants with volunteer experience.
Another survey, this time by LinkedIn, found that 20% of the hiring managers in the U.S. admit that volunteer work tipped the balance in favor of the candidate who had it included in their resume.
LEARN HOW TO USE VOLUNTEERING TO MAKE YOUR RESUME STAND OUT
Furthermore, Projects are also a valuable way to enrich your resume.
By adding side projects and activities that correlate with the position you are applying for, you show your dedication and willingness to develop in your career.
For example, if you are a real estate broker, you can add side projects like:
- Study on Consumer Buying Behavior and Satisfaction Level
- Load Testing of Loan Search
- Gap Analysis of Services offered in Real Estate companies
Format with the reader in mind
The design of your resume is just as important as the content in it.
A well-designed summary, with easily scannable text, enough white space, easy to read font, and brand matching colors will surely enhance the chances of getting the desired position!
What to improve in terms of design:
- Consider white space – It can be defined as a break in the copy, that helps the readers better comprehend what you’re trying to say. It also allows recruiters to easily skim the text, sub-headings, bulleted lists, and other elements implemented to your resume.
- Use colors smartly – Match the color scheme of your resume to the branding of the company you are applying for. Enhancv has a color picker that will help you with this!
- Choose an easy to read font and consider font hierarchy – Your font choices can easily influence how recruiters and ATS systems read your resume. They could be impressed, or daunted by the way it looks! Again, something less to worry about with Enhancv resume!
How to improve a resume for my job title
Improving a resume for a specific job title requires time and preparation. It includes everything we mentioned above as well as research about the company and position you are applying for.
We have prepared more than 530 professional Resume Examples and Samples, based on our knowledge and experience in the field.
Each one will provide you with detailed information about the position and how to tailor your resume in the best possible way.
For example, in Accounting Resume Example you will learn:
✔ How to choose the right accounting resume template for your experience level
✔ How to include accounting skills on a resume that reflect the job description
✔ Creating the most powerful accounting resume summary or objective you can
✔ Even an entry-level accounting resume can be effective by showing relevant skills
✔ How to include the right certifications on an accounting resume
And many more…
Find your profession and be ready to create your masterpiece – your resume!
How to improve a resume with no job experience
If you are in a position where your resume lacks work experience, you may be wondering what to improve then
There are a variety of other sections in your resume where you can focus on to impress the hiring managers.
The most valuable is your education section.
It serves as proof of competence, increases job relevance, and can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview.
That’s why doing it properly is crucial.
It must consist of relevant classes you have taken in college or university as well as activities and projects that are relevant to your future position.
Follow the example below:
In this case, the candidate is not only listing their extra-curricular involvement but explaining in detail what was their role and responsibilities.
Learn more tips for improving your resume without job experience in our detailed guide where we have covered:
- How to create a world-class education section of your resume
- 6 Sections to compensate for the lack of employment history
- Real examples of candidates who already got their dream job
How to improve a resume to beat ATS
ATS for those who are not familiar with the term is software used by recruiters and employers during the hiring process to organize and rank the job applications they receive for their open positions.
Everything you need to do to be on the safe side is to match your skills with the job description. You can do it in the experience, summary, skills section, as well as in every other section in Enhancv tool where you can add text content.
Improving your resume: Gotchas & Takeaways
Let’s summarize:
- No matter how good your resume is, there is always room for improvement.
- From content to graphics and design – every piece of your resume can be improved.
- Details are important and can tip the balance in your favor.
- Numbers are an important part of your summary that can influence the recruiters.
- You can get your dream job even if you lack work experience.
- Improving a resume is not a one-time thing. It’s a continuous process.
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What did you think of this article? Do you feel ready to improve your resume? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Make one that's truly you.
