​The average corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes, according to the employment website Glassdoor. With that kind of volume, it’s little wonder that most resumes get looked at for seven (7) seconds or less.
 
If you think it's time to change your job, be sure to learn to increase the odds that a hiring manager will pay attention to your resume long enough to appreciate what you have to offer.
 
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make sure your resume gets read. Study these suggestions before you reply to another job listing.

Even if you're a star performer, you will need to know how to make your resume stand out. Learning about what employers want to see in a resume and making it easier for them to recognize your value will help you to land more interviews and job offers. 

Employers review your resume before connecting with you. Given the many that apply, this usually takes seconds. Consequently, we  must use limited words while we also have to be sure that the resume is well-written and grammatically correct. 

The resume must say almost everything about the person. This should always start with pertinent information such as the person’s name and contact information.  

Next is the Summary which briefly gives the audience an idea of what to expect as they continue to read the resume. It's almost like a quick introduction. If written in a precise and concise way, one can give a very professional introduction. 

However, many people find it difficult to write a brief resume summary. Below are six (6) examples for your review. 

Software development leader and technology evangelist with a strong leadership presence; is currently seeking a new role that will draw upon expertise in software leadership, data protection, business transformation, enterprise-level implementation, automation, analytics, AI, client relations, and strategic planning.

​There is no ideal resume. It depends on the job. It is an important step one must pass before being called for that first interview.

Becoming a Pharmacy Technician is a great career opportunity. As a student you will need to follow the same path that an individual looking to become a Pharmacist travels but only stopping short of completing your PharmD degree. A Pharmacy Technician serves both patients and the Pharmacist. A Pharmacy Technician has duties that are both challenging and rewarding too.

Median hourly earnings for pharmacy technicians vary by geographical location as well as by the level of individual experience. 

The job outlook for pharmacy technicians is phenomenal. Any pharmaceutically-based occupation will certainly be important now and also in the future. With people living longer and medicines becoming more sophisticated and numerous there is no way to go wrong with a career in medicine. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will always be in demand. Pharmacy technicians are more in demand due to the fact there can be as many as four technicians aiding one single pharmacist.

Pharmacy technicians have several options for workplace settings. The overall duties will not vary greatly in the field of pharmacist technicians. The variations in workplace choices add just enough spice to the career opportunities to make becoming a Technician greatly appealing. Seven of the ten jobs occupied by pharmacist technicians are in retail pharmacy positions. Retail pharmacy encompasses both independently-owned or chain store pharmacy settings.

Nearly two of ten pharmacy technician jobs are in hospitals. There are also smaller proportions that belong to the aspects of the pharmaceutical trade such as mail order, clinic, and wholesalers.

It takes grand people skills to participate as a pharmacist technician. Successful technicians are alert, organized, dedicated and efficient in their work. A technician should have an eye for detail and not be easily distracted. An independent reliable nature encourages the supervising pharmacist to be confident you can handle all types of situations. Your work is directly related to life and death in more ways than one.

As a technician you will have to interact daily with patients, pharmacists, and various healthcare professionals. Teamwork is an important part of the successful career of any pharmacy technician as you will be working closely with pharmacy aids and pharmacists too.

Your duties will vary greatly from those of any other health care professional but will relate directly to the duties of a pharmacist. Your responsibilities are receiving prescriptions sent electronically for your patients where by, you as a technician have to verify the information is accurate and complete. Then the prescription must be prepared.

These tasks take special attention to details. Prescriptions must be measured, counted, and weighed in some cases in order to for them to equal the dose requested by the physician for the patient involved. Technicians will label and price the prescriptions. Then the information has to be filed in an accurate and timely manner. There is no room for error in this type of career.

​Customizing your resume demonstrates your interest in a job and shows you have taken the time to tailor the resume. This guide will help you navigate the customization process.

It’s the difference between seeing a car commercial on television and having one show up in your Facebook feed. One is geared towards a large audience of viewers — the other, presumably, is more targeted to meet your specific interests in a vehicle. In a similar way, a customized resume demonstrates the alignment between what the employer wants to see in the resume of their next hire, and the exact skills, experience, and education you have to offer.

Estimates are that 70 percent of larger companies use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to screen resumes. If you’re not customizing your resume, you may be less likely to be selected for an interview. Even if the company doesn’t use ATS software, customized resumes are more appealing to human readers. One size doesn’t fit all. 

The process of tailoring your resume starts with your professionally written document. It helps to have guidelines or at least a list of tips for resume writing. Most resumes can be customized to target similar roles within the same industry. For example, you could customize your teaching resume to target different grade levels, different types of schools (public, private, etc.), and different school districts. But that same teaching resume should not be used for a different industry or profession — for example, to pursue a position in sales.
 
Tailoring the resume (and cover letter) can help your documents successfully get through ATS software and into the hands of the recruiter or hiring manager. This process doesn’t require a full rewrite of the resume. Tweaking the documents will improve your chances of getting your resume seen.
 
If the thought of customizing each resume stresses you out, don’t worry! You always have the choice to customize “a little,” “the middle” (more than a little, less than a lot!), or “a lot.” Another pro tip is to keep a second “master” document of your customizations. That way, you can copy-and-paste them into your customized document if they are applicable to a specific role.
 
Prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of sending the same resume to apply for 50 jobs, take the time to research and customize your resume for 10-15 roles. You may be submitting fewer resumes, but you are increasing your chances of landing the interview … and the job.
 
Customize “A Little”
You should always customize the resume, even if it’s just a little. Never send a generic resume. You wouldn’t send the same greeting card for a birthday and for an anniversary, would you? So don’t send the same resume to two different companies. Minor customization will only take 5-10 minutes.
 
The first step when customizing your resume is to do a “save as” of the document to preserve the original file. Re-name the file with your first name, last name, and desired job title (for example: JaneJobseekerSalesResume.doc).
 
The easiest change to customize the resume for the position you want is to include the desired job title and company name at the top of the resume. This is a quick visual cue to show you customized the resume for this specific opportunity:
(Job Title) at (Company Name)
 
For example:
Public Relations Specialist at ABC Company
 
If the job title of the position you’re seeking is not the same as your current job title, put this at the top of the resume:
Job Target: (Desired Job Title)
 
For example, if you are currently a sales associate and you’re seeking a sales consultant role, your headline on the resume would read:
Job Target: Sales Consultant
 
You can also use this formula:
Seeking (Desired Job Title) Role at (Name of Company)
 
For example:
Seeking Public Relations Specialist Role at ABC Company
 
When customizing “a little,” be sure to customize the Summary section. For human readers, this is often the first section they read. You want to ensure the skills and experience most desired by the prospective employer are highlighted in the top one-third of the resume.
 
Take a few minutes to make sure the job responsibilities and accomplishments listed in your resume match the needs of the employer, especially those outlined in the job posting.
 
You can also re-order accomplishment bullets to prioritize achievements related to the job being targeted.
 
Customize “A Middle” Amount
When customizing more than just “a little” — but not a full customization, focus on the company’s needs and how you are a match for what they’re looking for. This type of customization may take as little as 10-15 minutes.
 
When possible, have the job posting in front of you so you can tailor the resume to the job description. Companies hire employees to solve their problems. In her book, Resume Magic, author Susan Whitcomb identifies 12 specific needs (“Employer Buying Motivators”) a company has. These include the company’s desire to:

• Make money
• Save money
• Save time
• Make work easier
• Solve a specific problem
• Be more competitive
• Build relationships / an image
• Expand business
• Attract new customers
• Retain existing customers

 
Identify the problems this job is designed to solve and help the prospective employer see how you can help them solve these specific problems.
 
You can either print the job description and highlight it or feed it into a word cloud app. Examples of free word cloud software includes:

• WordClouds
• MonkeyLearn Word Cloud Generator
• WordItOut

 
A word cloud generator will highlight some of the most important keywords being used in the job posting (especially ones that are mentioned more than once).
 
For example, here is a word cloud generated from a Public Relations Specialist job posting:

​The word cloud highlights skills (marketing, planning, communications), key responsibilities (media relations, working with the public, planning and executing events, developing community, soliciting sponsorships, building relationships), and values (collaboration, balance, flexible).
 
Analyze the job posting (and/or word cloud):

• What keywords and phrases are used in the job description?
• Make a list of key skills, job requirements, and responsibilities desired.
• Note the qualifications that you already possess that are mentioned in the job posting.

 
Make sure you are using the keywords used in the job description. “Similar” isn’t good enough. Match the language used in the job posting to help your resume rank higher in the ATS. Mirror the exact words and phrases that are used in the job description. 

​Be sure to incorporate keywords in your Summary, Skills, and Experience sections. Keywords can also be used in the Education, Training, and Affiliations sections.
 
If you do not have the skills and experience requested in the job posting, don’t lie on the resume or use a “trick phrase” (such as “willing to learn [x]”) just to get the phrase included. However, you can include “adjacent” experience. For example, if you have experience working as a teacher in a childcare center, but not in an elementary school classroom, you could list it as “Possess two years’ experience providing childcare for children ages 3-5, equivalent to preschool classroom teaching experience.”
 
As important as it is to include targeted information, it is just as important to remove irrelevant information. Remove information that is not relevant — any education, experience, trainings, or affiliations that are not relevant to this job. Be ruthless.
 
If you don’t have a specific job posting, research the company. If possible, use your network to connect with someone who works at your targeted employer. What values are part of their culture? How can you add value with your experience, education, and accomplishments?
 
One final step might be to run the newly customized resume through a word cloud generator to see how well it matches the job description word cloud.
 
Customize A Lot
To really stand out, show you are a perfect fit. Past experience is the best predictor of future success, so make sure you are highlighting your relevant experience and accomplishments. Don’t worry, however, if you don’t match all the requirements listed in the job posting.
 
This customization process may take 30-45 minutes per document.
 
Go back to the job posting again. Look how you can incorporate specific keywords into the Employment section. Human readers especially will focus on that section. Again, make sure you are using the exact keywords listed in the job posting. This will help your resume perform better when it is run through the ATS software.
 
Rearrange sections of the resume, if necessary, to match the priorities established in the job posting. For example, highlighting your Education or Training section to emphasize a particular qualification can help it be noticed by a reader. (Remember, the section order will only matter to a human reader — the ATS software will put the information into the appropriate section within the software, regardless of where it’s listed on the resume).
 
If you have a specific Skills section on the resume, re-order your skills to match the job description so that skills that are important to the prospective employer are highlighted first.
 
You can also change the Employment section header to match the job. For example:

• Teaching Experience (or Relevant Teaching Experience)
• Sales Management Experience
• Technology Experience

 
Make sure you are spotlighting the experience and accomplishments that are most relevant to the role you’re targeting.
 
Review the company website and/or LinkedIn company page to gain insight into the company’s values, mission, and culture. If possible, click through to review LinkedIn profiles of current company employees. Read the company’s “About Us” page on its website. If the organization is a publicly traded company, look up its annual report. What values do they highlight? Identify specific keywords to include that indicate cultural fit. When customizing the resume, give specific instances of these values, such as: teamwork, communication, initiative, honesty, etc.
 
Also look at your affiliations and associations and identify activities and organizations that might be a cultural fit with the target company.
 
But don’t stop with only customizing the resume!

Learning how to write a cover letter can open doors to new opportunies.

It’s estimated that only one-fourth of cover letters are customized — but this is a perfect place to demonstrate your fit with a target employer.
 
In your initial draft, you can use the “T” format for the cover letter to demonstrate your fit for the role while working in more keywords. Imagine drawing a large letter “T” on a piece of paper, with a vertical line separating the page into two equal halves. The left side is labeled “Your Job Requirements” and the right side is labeled “My Qualifications.” Create a two-column table in the document. 
 
Copy-and-paste each of the job requirements into the left-hand side. Across from each requirement, list your education, experience, and other qualifications to meet the requirement. This is a very helpful way for you to write your first draft. Next, it will be much easier to turn this content into a letter format to present a professionally-written cover letter and it allows you to clearly demonstrate your qualifications for the role.

There are many ways to enhance a LinkedIn profile. One suggestion is to optimize the keywords in your LinkedIn profile.
 
While you can only have one LinkedIn profile (you can have an unlimited number of customized resumes and cover letters), if you see specific keywords included in multiple job postings, be sure to add them to your LinkedIn profile — under the About section, in the Experience section, and especially the Skills section.
 
Keywords are critical to search engine optimization and being found by recruiters and hiring managers online. So, don’t just “set it and forget it” when it comes to your LinkedIn profile.

When applying for a job, never forget to include a cover letter. The cover letter is just as important as the content of the resume itself. Resumes are merely a background relating to your experience and interest that determine if you qualify for a job. The cover letter offers additional information that the resume cannot cover. 
 
Cover letters are often provided when the resume is sent to the employer. A cover letter should have an outline of the basic information included in the resume.  The cover letter can bring forth more response from employers if it is presented properly. 
  
Never use negative connotations within a cover letter. The usage of negative connotations will only drive the employer into another direction. If you successfully did something in your life, use positive words to bring your success to light.  
  
It is important to keep within the guidelines when writing your cover letter. One of the important rules is to stay focused. Do not tell your life story in your cover letter. Be concise and don't lose sight of your goal; in this case, getting the job you're applying for.

​Dear (Contact Name):

I recently relocated from California to New York. Consequently, I am looking for my next challenge. My focus is a management role drawing on more than 15 years of experience in manufacturing and production. I have enclosed my résumé which outlines my qualifications.
 
I am asking my network — including you — to help me identify possible employers who would value someone with my experience and skills. My work history emphasizes supervising production teams (up to 30 employees per shift), keeping manufacturing lines operating at peak capacity with a minimum of downtime, ensuring quality and regulatory compliance, and managing special projects.
 
If you know of someone I should contact to explore an opportunity, I appreciate the referral. You can reach me at (phone number) or email me at (email address).

I look forward to hearing back from you with any potential leads.

Sincerely,

Your Name

​Starting your resume can seem like a complicated task but it doesn't have to be. When you are creating your resume, you want to make it the most powerful statement that you can about yourself. You want your resume to highlight your strong points that make your resume stand out from the others. Remember that you can make changes to it once you get something on paper and can revise it as you see fit.

​Here is a list of tips for resume writing:

• First, gather the information that you'll need to begin. You can use a worksheet or just a plain sheet of paper. Be sure to assemble your key pieces of information. This includes work history (including dates), education, skills, knowledge, qualifications, experience, professional affiliations, and any special achievements or awards you have been given that relate to the job. Start with as much information as possible. As you craft your resume, you'll filter out what items you don't need. It is always best to start with as much information as possible.

• Make a list of your qualifications for this particular job. Start with a Resume Checklist. Think about why you would make a good candidate for this employer and then write that into one or two sentences. This can be put near the top of the resume. The starting section of your resume should include a compelling one- statement about what sets you apart, what you bring forth, and why you would make a good candidate. This is similar to an elevator pitch.

• When you consider what your qualifications are, make a list of all of them. Then, edit the list to include the unique qualifications that many other people wouldn't have. Start with a list of at least three and no more than 10 of your outstanding qualifications for the job. These can be experience-related or skill-related or accomplishment-related. Write simple true statements about yourself to sum up your qualifications. It's important to also quantify your ccomplishments on your resume.

• Resumes are written in backward chronological order. Always list the most recent position first. If you have many years of positions you can drop off anything older than 20 years old which can be covered in the interview. List your previous employment along with job titles and major skills for each position. 

• Next, list your educational credentials including the name of the college, the location, the degree obtained and the year. Don't list high school education unless it is the only academic achievement.

​

• If you have specific technical education or courses that pertain to your position list them here. If you have won any awards or special honors you should list them as well.

• As a general rule of thumb, you can add a statement at the end of your resume that says you will provide additional information on request.

• Consider the presentation quality. Browsing through professional resume samples helps. Arrange the items in an aesthetically-pleasing format. You can use special resume template software or just use your document.

​

• Consistency is important. Choose one easy-to-read font and stick to it for the entire resume.

• When it comes to document alignment, keep the content formatted to the left of the page to create an easy-to-read document. It’s ok to center the headings.

​

• Use bold for the main section names as well as for your name at the top.

• Be sure to include your contact information on top, under your name. Posting your contact information on the bottom section is not a good idea. 

This video demonstrates the first two pages of six resumes. You will see twelve pages. The first three resumes with pictures of nature are mostly selected for positions related to envrironmental protection businesses. The following resumes are mostly used for industrial jobs, production plants, and project management.

This is only an introduction. Please drop me a line if you are interested in seeing other designs. 

​In recent years, job search methods and practices have become increasingly digital. However, as you move forward with your job search efforts, you will soon learn that hard copies of your resume still play a significant part in your success.
 
Two of the most common scenarios where you will need hard copies of your resume are when you attend a job interview or a job fair and most people tend to overlook the actual paper they use to print their resume.
 
Many people wonder “how to write a resume that will stand out”. Of course, the content of your resume matters more than the resume paper. But let’s not forget that you are in a competition. It is when you go the extra mile and learn how to choose the right resume paper that you will make your resume stand out from the crowd. Not to mention resume paper lasts much longer than regular paper. 

Below are brief descriptions about the varieities in style and quality when it comes to choosing resume paper. 

The available shades are usually white, light grey, ivory, and even blue/grey.

• White resume paper - This could be a very conservative look. While other colors may help you stand out, many job seekers choose this color.
• Ivory resume paper - The ivory shade is readily available and it could be your safest choice if you want to stand out a little. Many job seekers and employers alike prefer this shade.
• Resume Paper in other colors - If you search for it, you will probably find that resume paper is available in many shades and colors. Experts’ opinions remain controversial because many employers find color paper to be unprofessional. Although for some professions—often in creative fields--colored resume paper could be a better choice. Of all the colors, aside from white and ivory, light gray may be the safest.

Resume paper quality is usually categorized based on weight and the varieties that you may find often available are 24lb/m2 OR 32lb/m2. The weight varies based on paper thickness. You will also find that they are substantially different in price.

​We recommend the 24lb/ m2 because it is a little thicker than standard copy paper but it is not as thick as a business card. The 24lb/ m2 also goes through most home office printers without complication.

There are many textures available and they vary in the weave and finish of the paper. More often than not, you will find linen or cotton. Other kinds include coated, uncoated, laid, etc. As you will shop for resume paper, feel the different textures to find out which you prefer.

​We recommend the cotton paper as it is more often used as a popular choice for resume paper and it has a smooth finish. On the other hand, linen resume paper feels like an embossed paper because it is woven-like. 

Watermark is used on high-quality paper. As you use any brand of resume paper with watermark, make sure the watermark is only visible under the light because you do not want the watermark to distract attention from your resume content. Next, make sure your resume is printed right side up. In other words, when you're holding the resume as you're reading it, the watermark should be readable (I am not saying visible, but when held under the light, the watermark should be seen the right side up and not backward).

​Of course, this is not a deal-breaker obviously but why take the risk of recruiters noticing that your resume is printed backward and thinking you are sloppy?