If you are not receiving as many responses to your resume as you may like, there are a few things you can do to help improve your odds.
Generally speaking, potential employers do not want their time wasted sifting through resumes that are hard to read, too lengthy, and/or filled with grammatical errors. Therefore, your resume should be well-organized and easy on the eye. It should be straightforward, to the point, and should utilize headlines, bullet points, and bolded font when necessary.
Likewise, remember to keep items lined up correctly and well-spaced. If your resume looks too confusing or jumbled, employers will simply move to the next candidate. Also, keep it simple; employers should never have to search for the information they are seeking. Thus, limit your resume to one page, if at all possible, and never more than two.
Most importantly, proofread, proofread, proofread—and then proofread again! If you have a typo or a grammatical error (especially if you are applying for a transcription position) you are setting yourself up for failure. Your resume should not only be perfect visually, but grammatically just the same.
Moreover, resumes are not a one-and-done kind-of-thing. You need to continually update, revise, and rework your resume over time. Additionally, you have to mold your resume to meet the requirements of each position/employer.
Keep in mind that your resume is an employer’s first impression of who you are and what you have to offer. Don’t sell yourself short with a resume that is inadequate, improperly formatted and/or filled with grammatical errors.
What resume tips do you have? Share your suggestions!
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