Updating your resume & standing out successfully

As the retail industry prepares to come out fighting against COVID-19, HR & hiring managers are at maximum capacity with the influx of resumes coming in from job adverts. 
The stark reality is that some only glance for a few seconds at each resume before making the decision to put it in the “yes” or “no” pile. So it’s essential that you make those few seconds count.

These next simple steps will help you achieve how to stand out with your resume.

Use a modern, sharp and professional format.
 Set up your resume in a way that it is pleasing to the eye but doesn’t focus more on visuals than your content. You can find some examples here .

Adopt and use key industry words and lingo that accurately reflect your previous experience. 
For example, if you are applying for a role within eCommerce and have some experience in this, be sure to include that word on your CV. This will also help you past the robot gatekeepers who automatically scan CV’s for keywords determined by the hiring manager.

Fine-tune your resume to the specific role you are applying for. 
It’s also important you put the most important information on page one. Authenticate with details that prove why you are a great candidate for the position, speak of your experience and success and how it relates back to the role advertised. 

Keep things professional and include metrics. 
Try to avoid including any unfavourable information about your previous position or employer. The best way to show them how you’ll add to their bottom line is to show measurable achievements. They want to see how you made a difference to your previous employer.

Customise your resume to tell a story.
Your resume should be long enough to tell your story but short enough to glance over in one sitting. Your resume should take the reader through your professional experiences, accomplishments, skills and knowledge. It should show them how you have progressed and how you will add value to their company.

Design elements.  
This is good in moderation so be cautious not to go overboard. You can use colour in a moderate way to make your resume visually separate from the sea of resumes the recruiter will assess. Opt for something like a light coloured border, or an infographic when showing your transferable skills. 

Make sure you have triple checked it and it’s easy to read. 
Make sure there are no mistakes as often hiring managers will see typos and errors as laziness or that you may not have a high attention to detail, ask a friend or family member to proofread it for you.

Lastly, enhance your resume with a cover letter.
Think of it as your own first impression so you want it to be a good one!  Most recruiters say they simply won't read a resume if the candidate hasn’t submitted a cover letter.  

We hope the above 8 will inspire you to update your resume and help land you a new job!