7 Crucial Resume Tips For Career Changers
/Have you ever felt like you are stuck and have nowhere to grow professionally?
Does it bother you that it feels like your company does not want to increase your pay?
Have you ever considered changing your job?
If so, then you are one of those we are referring to in this article. You are a career changer, and good for you!
Sometimes changing where you work might be the best solution to your current challenges, as new tasks often boost creativity, stimulate growth and make us aim for the stars.
The main issue is that you now must start everything from scratch. You need a new resume; you will have to go to a couple of interviews; and choose between several options you might be offered.
Do not stress out over it; it’s not that hard. Just take one step at a time.
We however, want to help you on this journey by offering a list of useful tips that can take your resume to the next level.
Here are 7 important tips for improving your resume.
1. State a clear objective
This is the first thing potential employers pay attention to once they open your resume. You need to make sure that from what you write in this section, the recruiter can easily understand what you expect and what you are looking for.
You may mention a couple of areas you would like to work in to let the employer see if what they are offering is relevant to you or not. Since you want to change your career, you should know exactly what you want. Mention this in the objective section.
2. Highlight your achievements
Talent acquisition managers want to hire real talent. They want them to be qualified, experienced, good team players, etc. The list can go on and on. The only question is whether you can sell what you have. Make sure your resume outlines your achievements and real facts.
If you feel like there are educational or professional development gaps in your resume or if the thought of having to take a course fills you with dread, the good news is you might be able to get Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) which takes into account the skills and experience you already have.
3. Do not showcase irrelevant experience
If you want to impress a recruiter within the limited time frame you have, you need to add only the real “meat” to your CV. You can leave all the experience that does not help you sell your candidacy out of the resume, and emphasize the qualifications that make you perfect for the job. Otherwise, if there are too many things to pay attention to, the employer might miss the relevant section. Why risk it all?
4. Include activities and hobbies
Your boss does not expect you to be a robot with no interests outside the office. He wants you to be a real person. So, if you are into sports, enjoy reading, horseback riding, or participating in chess competitions every now and then, you should add this information to your resume. It will help your potential employer see who the person behind the resume really is.
5. Use a clear structure
You probably have tons of facts to share on your resume but given the limited time the employer has, it is best you organize your thoughts in a clear and concise manner. This will help them get the most out of your resume, and understand the information you have provided there. Split your experience into categories, and make each category short and easy-to-read. Add numbers to descriptions of your achievements and stay away from buzzwords. Be concise and structured.
6. Tailor your resume for each company
Do not send out one resume to different companies. It hardly ever works this way as generic CVs are often obvious to recruiters. Instead, you need to tailor each resume you send out so that it fits the requirements and expectations of each prospective employer. It will take time, but the results will be worth it.
7. Use keywords
Every job description has several keywords. You need to identify them and mention them in your resume, whenever you have the corresponding experience. Highlight those keywords so that it is clear to the recipient whether or not you are a good fit for the job.
Changing your career might be the best thing that ever happened to you. However, it might never happen if you do not have the right resume.
If you want to make it happen, put these tips to action. If you have any other tips, please share them in the comments section. Remember that sharing is caring, so do not hesitate to let us know what you think!
Author's Bio:
Charles Ebert is a career mentor, motivational speaker & human resources consultant with over 10 years’ experience in the HR sector.
Charles is a lead expert at Professional Resume Solutions.
Apart from career mentoring, he loves photography and football.
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