How to really get noticed from your resume


Your resume is the first thing any potential new employer is going to learn about you. If it’s no good, then you’re not going to get your foot in the door with an interview – nevermind actually get the job. If you really want to stand out from the crowd with your resume, then follow these top tips.

Start with a cover letter

Some recruiters get hundreds of applications and resumes in their inbox every week, so you’re going to want to do everything to stand out from the crowd. One of the best ways to do this is by starting with a cover letter. This doesn’t need to be a 10-page essay, but it should be a good introduction of who you are and why you’re applying for this particular role. Don’t copy and paste, make sure your cover letter is tailored to each job you apply for. It might take a bit of extra time, but it will all be worth it.

How to really get noticed from your resume

Pretty it up

Most resumes follow a very standard template, complete with size 12 Times New Roman font, and any potential employer will see dozens of these every day. If you really want to get noticed, then try prettying your resume up. You can use free tools, such as Canva, to create something genuinely eye-catching in just a few minutes. This is especially handy if you’re going to be applying for any kind of creative role. Still, keep it professional, but make sure it stands out from the crowd visually.

Highlight the relevant skills

It would take far too long to create a new resume tailored to each job you apply for, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it a bit more personal. Look through the job description and highlight any particular skills that they have asked for. Most recruiters will scan-read looking for these, so they will appreciate that you’ve taken the effort out of it for them. Mention in your cover letter that you’ve highlighted the skills and experience you think would be relevant for this job.

Add some personality

What are your hobbies? What do you like doing in your free time? Make sure you include some personality in your resume, so potential employers can get a real feel for whether you’ll fit in with the rest of the team. Half the recruitment process is about skills and experience, whereas the other half will be making sure you’ll work well with the other employees. Add in some personality so they can decide for themselves if you’re right for the job.

How to really get noticed from your resume

Keep it short

If your resume is pages and pages long, any recruiter is bound to get bored. Try and keep it concise, and not go over two pages in length. Older, less relevant jobs can just have the very basic details listed on your resume. The quicker it takes for someone to find what they’re looking for, the better.

Writing a resume can seem like daunting work, especially if you’re applying for a dream job. However, following these simple tips and tricks, it should be easier to stand out from the crowd.

Recommended For You