6 tips to show that you are the strongest candidate

Bet you didn’t know that a recruiter or hiring manager often takes no more than 3 seconds to scan your resume before deciding which ‘pile’ they’ll put you in.

It may seem unfair, but the hiring team’s main goal is to “remove” you from the selection process.

Getting noticed in a sea of ​​applicants is not easy. Make your resume stand out with these easy tips.

Tip 1 – Use titles or headings that match the jobs you want
Hundreds of resumes can land on the desk of a recruiter or hiring manager every day. Your goal: To get into the ‘Worth a Second Look’ stack. The best way to do this is to use job titles and skill headings that relate to and match the job criteria you are applying for. Take a good look at the job requirements. Use words that are directly related or identical to those that describe the position.

Before the summary:
Data entry
Management
Computer skills

After the summary:
Excel spreadsheets
Computerized Accounting Applications
Departmental Administration / Record Keeping
Your previous position may be titled ‘Administrative Operator’. Highlighting your skill set will give you a wider range of opportunities when the hiring manager doesn’t have to try to figure out if your last position required X, Y, and Z skills.

Tip 2 – Use an eye-catching design
Hiring managers and recruiters often make that quick decision when they look at your resume. If they see unrelated job titles or skills, they may assume you don’t have enough experience and aren’t qualified for the job. Hiring managers don’t have enough time to “connect the dots” on your resume. Decide if you need a functional or chronological resume. In many cases, you can have both to help your past experiences stand out. Design your resume to fit your work history. Highlight the most important information about your work experience, skills, and education. At first glance, this information tells the potential employer that you are a good candidate for the job.

Tip 3: Create content that sells
While design is important, content is even more so. The descriptions you include of your skills and abilities may or may not get you the interview. Here is an example of the details hiring managers are looking for:

Before the Summary:
Maintenance of records of accounts receivable and accounts payable.

After the summary:
Managed over 1,000 accounts receivable and accounts payable working directly with the CFO.

Detail is critical here. Please note that anything you leave off your resume will be discussed at the interview. Numbers are an easy way to show the hiring manager details about her past experiences. Don’t leave them out!

Tip 4 – Quantify and use powerful words
How many resumes do you think include the statement: ‘Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Records Maintained’? Some? The majority? Most likely EVERYTHING if the position is for AP/AR.

Another great way to show a hiring manager your value is to monitor the image employers develop of you. Use Power Words or verbs to align with the position level you want. To strengthen your image, use strong, detailed words that point toward your future career goals.

Typical verbs:
Gave job assignments to staff of entry level accounting clerks.

words of power:
Directed workflow, supervised and trained accounting staff performing posting to general ledger, accounts receivable and accounts payable.

Tip 5 – Analyze ads and job descriptions to identify keywords
Learning to analyze the keywords that hiring managers provide in help-desk ads and job descriptions is critical to creating powerful resumes. Keep keywords in mind for every resume you send to potential employers.

Accounts Receivable Manager
Experienced Accounts Receivable Manager wanted to oversee accounts, manage billing and collections, train accounting and administrative staff, develop status reports for management, and prepare monthly balance sheets. A bachelor’s degree or AA degree with a minimum of 2 years of experience is required. Each of these words can be used to advertise similar skills in this profession.

Keyword Skill Headers
A/R Account Management
Billing and Collections
Supervision of Accounting and Administrative Staff
Balance Sheets and Management Status Reports

Tip 6: Identify and address hidden employer needs
Digging deeper to learn more about what hiring managers are looking for in a position is critical to your success in landing the interview. Find out as much as you can about the position you are applying for.