it’s too long or too short

Yes, there’s a happy medium that recruiters look for in resume length. Somewhere in the 1-2 page range is usually safe. Using only half of a page says you don’t have any brag-worthy credentials to share or simply didn’t care enough to write a detailed account of your work history. Taking up 3-4 pages indicates that you have no filter and don’t possess the very important skill of being able to edit yourself and zero in on your most important skills. Some people will tell you that a single-page resume is the best option, but most recruiters won’t disregard a resume that’s 2 pages.

it doesn’t match the job description

Any recruiter will tell you that a resume that closely mirrors the job description will be more successful. Too many people go for quantity over quality, using a single resume to apply to hundreds of jobs, hoping that a few will stick. Instead of wasting your time applying to countless jobs you aren’t really sure if you want (or perhaps haven’t even read!) spend a little more time on applications for jobs you actually want. Seek out roles you’re excited about that correlate with your skills and job expectations. Then take a little time to ensure your resume is tailored to reflect the skills and requirements in the job description. Hiring managers usually include their wishlist of ideal skills and qualifications in the job description (they don’t always expect candidates to have them all!) so if you can show that you have a lot of these ideal qualities you can position yourself as a shoo-in for the role.

it doesn’t stand out

The average job posted online receives over 100 applications. That’s a lot of other people to be competing with! If your resume blends into the pack and looks like the other 99 applications that the recruiter received, there’s a good chance that your resume is going to end up being passed over. Make sure that your resume has a little of your personality in it. We’re not saying you have to go overboard with crazy colours and fonts (please don’t!) to draw attention, but a tastefully unique design, or a splash of personality or humour can go a long way to making your resume a little bit different than the norm. This is especially true if you’re working in a creative field. When you’re competing with so many other people, as is the case with online job applications, drawing a little attention is crucial. Just ensure that once you’ve got a recruiter’s attention that you follow through with a well-executed resume that includes all the necessary info.

you’re not telling a story

People love stories. Consider social media. Check out your feed and I’m sure you’ll find a few heartwarming stories about pets or people helping others that have an outrageous number of shares and likes. Stories appeal to our emotions, tug on our heartstrings and paint a picture. The same is true of your resume. We’re often taught that our resumes should be a strictly professional document with zero personality or charm. That kind of thinking is outdated. It’s unique resumes that tell a story and paint a picture of where your career has taken you (and where you plan to go next) that stand out and make you an impressive candidate. People aren’t a series of qualifications and skills. Tell your career story, and it’ll transform a bland list of skills into a story that hiring managers can relate to. We’re not advocating swapping out your resume for a short story about your life, but do make sure to include a professional summary or statement that talks about your career path in your own words!

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