How to Write a Standout Resume: Tips and Examples

Are you tired of submitting job applications and never hearing back? Your resume may be the culprit. A standout resume is essential to catch the attention of hiring managers and secure an interview.

In this article, we’ll share tips and examples on how to write a standout resume that showcases your skills and experiences.

Tip #1

Customize your resume for the position you’re applying for. One of the most common mistakes job seekers make is submitting a generic resume for each job they apply for.

You must personalise your resume to the exact job you are looking for in order to stand out. This entails emphasising the talents and experiences most relevant to the role.

If you’re looking for a marketing position, for example, stress your experience with social media and digital marketing. Utilize the job description as a guide to ensure your CV is relevant to the role’s criteria.

Tip #2

Make use of powerful action verbs and metrics. Use powerful action verbs and metrics to measure your accomplishments to make your CV stand out.

Instead of saying “Managed a team of sales representatives,” say “Led a team of 5 sales representatives to surpass monthly revenue objectives by 20%.”

This not only showcases your accomplishments, but also your effect on the organisation. Employ active verbs such as “managed,” “lead,” “achieved,” and “produced” to highlight your achievements.

Tip #3

Make it brief and easy to read. Hiring managers sometimes have to evaluate hundreds of resumes, so make yours simple and easy to read.

Break up long blocks of information with bullet points, and keep sentences brief and to the point. Long paragraphs and complicated language that may be difficult to grasp should be avoided.

If at all feasible, try to keep your resume to one page.

Tip #4

Include a summary sentence. A summary statement at the beginning of your resume can help hiring managers notice you.

Highlight your most relevant talents and experiences in this part, as well as your unique value offer.

As an example, “Marketing professional with over 5 years of expertise in social media and email marketing. Proven track record of improving B2B and B2C customer engagement and revenue.”

Tip #5

Make your resume format unique. While a typical chronological resume may be appropriate for some, consider tailoring your resume structure to stand out.

A unique resume design or infographic may highlight your individuality and originality while also communicating your professional experience.

Simply ensure that the format is appropriate for the position and sector to which you are applying.

Examples of standout resumes Here are some examples of standout resumes that incorporate the tips above:

Marketing Manager

• Summary statement: “Innovative marketing manager with 7+ years of experience in digital marketing and branding. Passionate about creating compelling campaigns that drive engagement and revenue.”
• Key accomplishments: Led a team of 5 marketing professionals to increase website traffic by 40% through SEO and PPC campaigns. Developed and executed a successful influencer marketing campaign that increased social media engagement by 50%.
• Custom format: A visually appealing resume with a bold color scheme and graphic elements to showcase creativity and design skills.

Software Developer

• Statement in summary: “Results-oriented software engineer with 4+ years of full-stack development expertise. Skilled in many programming languages and driven by the need to create user-friendly solutions.”

• Major achievements include developing and launching a new mobile app that boosted user engagement by 70%. Lead a team of three developers in optimising website speed and performance, which resulted in a 50% reduction in page load times.

• A simple design that highlights technical talents and expertise, with a focus on project management and problem-solving.

In conclusion, a standout resume is essential to securing your dream job. By tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for, using strong action verbs and metrics, keeping it concise and easy to read, including a summary statement, and customizing your resume format, you can make your resume stand out from the crowd.

Remember to use simple English and storytelling techniques to make your resume engaging and interactive.

By following these tips and examples, you’ll be well on your way to writing a standout resume that catches the eye of hiring managers and lands you an interview.

Don’t forget to proofread and edit your resume for spelling and grammatical errors, and have someone else review it as well.

With a little effort and attention to detail, your standout resume will showcase your skills and experiences in the best possible light.