In today's competitive job market, a well-constructed resume is your golden ticket to capturing the attention of your dream employer. While we often focus on what we include, it's equally important to address what might be missing. A resume that misses key components is like showing up to a job interview without a shirt on (don't ever do that).🎽 Here are a few suggestions to start you off right!

🔠Take the Time! Add Relevant Keywords Tailored to the Job Description

One major oversight is the failure to tailor your resume with keywords from the job description. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they ever reach human eyes. These systems scan for specific keywords related to the job role. Without these, your resume might not survive the first round, regardless of how qualified you are. Make sure you carefully read job descriptions and incorporate relevant keywords and skills into your resume.

📊Quantifiable Achievements

Resumes often list responsibilities but neglect to highlight achievements. Adding "Top achieving sales rep" to your resume is all fine and good, but not if hiring managers don't know what that means. The addition of quantifiable achievements such as, "increased sales by 20% within the first quarter" will peak interest, while just adding you were a top achiever doesn't really mean much. Numbers provide concrete evidence of your capabilities and success, making your contributions more tangible and memorable to hiring managers. A resume missing quantifiable achievements is like a recipe missing the measurements of its ingredients. 

🛍️Sell Me! 

The top of your resume is prime real estate. Yet, many job seekers fail to make the most of this space with a compelling professional summary. Instead of a generic objective statement, a well-crafted professional summary provides a snapshot of your qualifications and career goals. It's your elevator pitch that entices the reader to learn more about you. Aim for a concise, impactful summary in 3-5 sentences to captivate the reader's interest.

✒️Edit Thyself! 

What many job seekers miss out on is the importance of a reader-friendly resume that hiring times can read quickly. Think synopsis not thesis paper. If you're new to the job market, no more than one page and if you're very experienced, 2-3, but no more. See how you can edit your resume down without removing key skills and achievements, because sometimes we're just too darn wordy! Bullet points are ideal for easy scanning, and use a simple font like Arial, Open Sans, or Times New Roman. 

Quick Tip: Don't use obscure fonts. They may look great, but certain applicant systems may not be able to read them and even if your application goes through the resume might end up blank or scrambled into nonsense characters and we don't want that!

🗝️Links to Professional Profiles and Work Samples

In the digital age, your online presence can be as crucial as your resume. Surprisingly, many candidates overlook the opportunity to include links to their online profiles, such as LinkedIn, or to a portfolio showcasing their work. This can be a missed opportunity to provide a more comprehensive view of your professional brand. 

Quip Tip: Test your links! There's nothing more frustrating for a hiring team when they can't access what you've submitted. 

🏆Brag About It! 

Today’s job market values continuous learning and adaptability. If you've undertaken any recent training, courses (even free ones), or certifications, make sure these are prominently featured on your resume. They demonstrate your commitment to staying current and enhancing your skills, an attractive trait in any candidate.

⭐Last, But Not Least

A resume is more than a list of experiences; it's a reflection of your professional narrative. By addressing what might be lacking in your resume, you're not just filling gaps; you're enriching your story. Taking the time to refine and complete your resume could very well be the key to unlocking doors to exciting new roles. Every element of your resume should serve a purpose and contribute to the overall impression that you are the ideal candidate for the role. ;) 

Yours In Health,

💘Team Tribe