How To Get Your Resume Seen | CPS

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Resumes and cover letters, they are the critical entry point into a new relationship with an employer. But if they are not done right, they can be the blocker to your career success. Both are a critical introduction to you as an employee. While it may seem like they’re an outdated or even unnecessary step in the application process, they do still provide candidates with an important opportunity. That opportunity is the one where they get their hiring manager’s attention. Here’s a quick look at what you should do to make sure your resume isn’t ruining your chances.

What Are The Best Ways to Get Your Resume Seen?

Your First, First Impression

Cover letters and resumes are your first real chance to engage prospective employers. There’s a reason that most employers still require them. It’s because when compared to a LinkedIn profile or digital application, a resume and cover letter help answer the question that is at the front of a hiring manager’s mind. Why do you want this job? Why are you qualified? Over time, many candidates have fallen back on boring, templatized cover letters and resumes. But both are still a really important opportunity for you to introduce yourself, note what job you are interested in and why you believe yourself to be a qualified candidate.

Lead with a Hook

It’s important to keep in mind that hiring managers often end up receiving hundreds of resumes and cover letters, so remember to keep it short, to the point, and differentiate yourself. You want to say something that grabs the reader’s attention right at the beginning of your letter. Keep your resume results focused. A good hook can be a statement of why this job is the perfect opportunity for your skillset and experience, or it can be something personalizing and memorable. The point of a hook is to entice readers to consider you right from the get-go. If you know you have a hiring manager’s attention, you give yourself the chance to shine further on down the hiring process.

Highlight your Accomplishments

Your cover letter is the perfect place to really highlight your best accomplishments. Avoid simply reiterating the information in your resume. Instead, tell the story of what a great and accomplished employee you are. Pick one particularly relevant project or accomplishment to highlight in your resume, and be specific about how the experience has prepared you for the position you are applying for. It’s really important to remember your audience when you are writing a cover letter and resume, and do everything you can to tell the employer how you meet their needs as an applicant. Make sure the information is all present for employers to see easily. Make sure there are no gaps, and everything is easy to find.

Share Your Knowledge

Many people make the mistake of not doing their research until the interview stage of the hiring process. Employers want the hire people who are excited by the thought of working for them. Show them that you have targeted their company as the next step in your career by researching a company’s mission, their recent projects, or even their mentions in the news. You’ll put yourself ahead of the competition by customizing your cover letter and resume for a specific position and company, proving that you are committed to this opportunity.

Share Your Passion

Cover letters are notoriously dry and formal. While making sure that your professionalism shines through, it’s not a bad thing to let your personality shine through as well. People hire people they like and want to work with. It’s a good opportunity to reassure hiring managers that you are a friendly and engaged employee through a more personalized approach.

Ready to Make Your Resume Stand Out?

For help finding your next exciting job opportunity, connect with the team at CPS today.

 

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