3 Key Areas to Target Now to Improve Your Resume Response Rate

While there are numerous strategies that go into creating an interview-worthy resume, I've put together a list of the top three that, once corrected and incorporated, can make a huge difference in your resume response rate.

A KILLER RESUME LAYOUT
If you think your resume format doesn't matter, you are dead wrong. As a former hiring manager I can tell you right now that messy, disorganized, or unprofessional resume formats communicate exactly that about the type of candidate you are. I can give you a prime example of the difference resume formatting can make. Which potential candidate would you want to interview:

Finance Candidate #1 or Finance Candidate #2

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
If you are responding to a job ad you've seen online, then the smartest way to get noticed is to draw attention to the fact that you meet their requirements. If a hiring manager is searching for the perfect candidate (meaning you meet their required and preferred qualifications), then the strategic thing to do is to call attention to these met and/or exceeded requirements throughout your resume. You can do this in a keyword section, personal branding statement, bullet points, accomplishment statements, etc. The possibilities are endless, but the point is the same - let them know that you meet or exceed what they need.

DON'T JUST TELL THEM
It is always so much more impressive to let your accomplishments speak for themselves. You would be surprised how something you did that seems trivial, mundane, and just part of the job can be so much more impressive when put into context. Examples? Yes, please:

Telling them you did something is like this:
Filed annual reporting forms for the company.

Selling them on your expertise and experience sounds like this:
Managed the annual filing of more than 80 critical forms, ensuring 100% compliance was achieved consecutively over a 5-year time span.

See how the second one really makes you shine? It's more detailed, yet still concise - and it gives the hiring manager the perfect impression of you. The first one says, "I meet the requirements." The second one says, "I exceed them, and will do the same for you."

To improve your resume response rate try incorporating the following 3 strategies:

1. Wow them with an impressive resume format. Looks do matter.
2. Point out throughout the resume that you meet/exceed their position requirements.
3. Win the interview by communicating your expertise and accomplishments in powerful and concise bullets that say more than just, "I can do the job".

Many other strategies can be incorporated into the development of a resume and cover letter to increase your resume response rate. If you're unsure how to achieve a higher response rate or are tired of tweaking, searching, and applying with little to no response, then visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com to find out how we guarantee job search success. Or call 800.991.5187 to speak to a professional resume writer.