How to Write a Resume That Stands Out

Summary

This video discusses how to craft a resume that stands out in today’s competitive job market. It covers key tips such as avoiding outdated mission statements, using clear headlines, emphasizing relevant experience (even in unrelated roles), and considering the importance of AI-friendly formatting. The video also explores the rising trend of incorporating personal interests and addressing career gaps in resumes. Additionally, it highlights the need for two versions of a resume: one optimized for applicant tracking systems and another for human review. Overall, the advice aims to help job seekers navigate the complexities of modern resume writing.

Takeaways

• 📄 The modern resume should be tailored to catch a recruiter's attention within 10 seconds, highlighting key information concisely.
• 🔍 Recruiters first notice the name at the top, then the most recent experience, and required skills and education.
• 🚫 Avoid cliché mission statements; instead, use a simple headline that describes your specialty and role.
• 🎯 Emphasize achievements and responsibilities with bullet points to align with job descriptions effectively.
• 🏢 Include a brief description of your company's role if it's not widely recognized to provide context to your experience.
• 👚 Even seemingly unrelated past roles can offer transferable skills, which can be valuable for entry-level positions.
• 🤖 With AI technologies filtering resumes, ensure your document is in a standard format without ornamentation that could confuse systems.
• 💼 Having two versions of your resume—one for AI and one for human reviewers—can be beneficial for different application processes.
• 🌟 Personal branding is becoming more important, with resumes now including personal interests and causes, reflecting a more holistic view of the candidate.
• 📜 Recommendations or endorsements from others can be included on resumes to provide external validation of your skills and character.
• 📑 The length of a resume is flexible; it can be more than one page if it contains substantial and relevant experience, as scrolling is easy in digital formats.

Q & A

What is the average time a hiring manager spends reviewing a resume before making a decision?

Hiring managers typically spend less than 10 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether to accept or reject it.

What should be the first thing on a resume according to the script?

The first thing on a resume should be the applicant's name, followed by their most recent experience.

Why is it advised to remove the traditional mission statement from a resume?

The mission statement is advised to be removed because it takes up valuable space on the resume and can be replaced with a simple headline that describes the applicant and their specialty.

What should replace the traditional mission statement on a resume?

A simple headline that describes the applicant and their specialty, such as 'Content Creator' or 'Marketing Specialist', should replace the traditional mission statement.

What is the recommended way to highlight one's achievements on a resume?

Using bullet points to list achievements, data, responsibilities, and specialties is recommended, especially if they mirror the job description.

Why is it important to include a brief description of the company under the job title, even if the company is not well-known?

Including a brief description helps provide context to the recruiter about the nature of the company and the role, which can be beneficial if the company is not widely recognized.

How can someone with limited work experience make their resume stand out?

By examining past project experiences, even roles that may seem unrelated, and identifying transferable skills such as customer service or public interfacing.

What impact do AI technologies have on the resume screening process?

AI technologies are used by 75% of employers to filter resumes, saving recruiters time and narrowing down candidates, but also making it crucial to avoid formatting or content that could confuse these systems.

What is the recommended format for resumes submitted through an applicant tracking system?

The recommended format is a standard Microsoft Word document or a PDF, free of ornamentation that could disrupt the applicant tracking system.

How has the approach to resumes changed in recent years to include more personal aspects?

Resumes now often include personal interests, causes, and even past career gaps, reflecting a shift towards a more holistic representation of the individual.

What is the current stance on the length of a resume, and how does it differ from traditional advice?

While traditional advice often limits resumes to one page, recent trends show that resumes can be two or even three pages if they contain substantial and relevant experience.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Crafting the Perfect Resume

This paragraph delves into the challenges of creating a resume that is both professional and personal. It raises concerns about the brevity of attention from hiring managers, the pressure to stand out in a sea of applicants, and the dilemma of having limited experience for an entry-level position. The speaker introduces Christy DePaul, a content creator and career navigation expert, who provides insights into what recruiters look for in the first 10 seconds. DePaul advises against using a mission statement and instead suggests a headline that succinctly describes the applicant's specialty. She also emphasizes the importance of bullet points to showcase achievements and skills that align with the job description. Lastly, she touches on the value of including a brief description of the company to give context to one's experience.

05:02

🌐 Navigating AI and Personalization in Resumes

The second paragraph addresses the modern challenges of resume submission, particularly the use of AI in applicant tracking systems and the shift towards personalizing resumes. It highlights the need for a standard format that AI can process without errors, suggesting two versions of a resume: one for AI and one for human reviewers. The paragraph also reflects on the trend of including personal interests and experiences in resumes, moving beyond the traditional listing of skills and experience. DePaul encourages the use of recommendation letters and endorsements to add authenticity and depth to a resume. She discusses the flexibility of resume length, noting that while some insist on a one-page limit, recent trends show that two or three pages are acceptable if filled with substantial content. The speaker concludes by sharing their personal experience of revising their resume with these insights, indicating a shift towards a more conventional appearance and the incorporation of metrics and endorsements.

Keywords

💡Resume

A resume is a document used by individuals to present their professional experiences, skills, and education to potential employers. In the video's context, it is central to the theme as it discusses how to create a resume that stands out in a competitive job market. The script mentions concerns about resume length and content, reflecting the importance of a well-crafted resume in the job application process.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism refers to the quality of being professional, which includes conduct, appearance, and speech that is appropriate for a workplace. In the script, the desire to look professional on a resume is highlighted as a key concern for job seekers, emphasizing the importance of presenting oneself in a manner that aligns with industry standards.

💡Personal Branding

Personal branding is the process of creating a unique image or identity in the professional world that sets an individual apart from others. The video discusses the importance of personal branding in crafting a resume, suggesting that individuals should be themselves while also presenting a professional image.

💡Entry-Level Job

An entry-level job is a position that typically requires minimal prior experience and serves as a starting point for individuals beginning their careers. The script addresses the challenges faced by those applying for entry-level positions, particularly the concern about having insufficient experience to fill a resume.

💡Recruiter

A recruiter is a professional who seeks out potential job candidates for organizations. In the video, it is mentioned that recruiters have a short time to decide on the suitability of a resume, highlighting the importance of making a strong first impression on these professionals.

💡Attention Span

Attention span refers to the length of time that a person can concentrate on a task without becoming distracted. The script notes that recruiters have a short attention span due to the volume of resumes they review, underscoring the need for resumes to be concise and impactful.

💡Bullet Points

Bullet points are used in writing to present items in a list, making the information clear and easy to read. In the context of the video, bullet points are recommended for listing achievements and responsibilities on a resume, as they help to convey information succinctly and effectively.

💡Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied across different jobs or industries, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. The script suggests looking at past experiences, even seemingly unrelated roles, to identify transferable skills that can enhance a resume.

💡Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

An Applicant Tracking System is a software used by employers to filter and manage job applications. The video mentions the use of ATS in the resume screening process, indicating that the format and content of a resume should be compatible with these systems to avoid being overlooked.

💡Endorsements

Endorsements are public statements of support or approval, often found on professional networking sites like LinkedIn. In the script, adding endorsements to a resume is suggested as a way to gain credibility and showcase the recognition of one's skills by others.

💡Metrics

Metrics are measures or figures that can be used to assess or evaluate something, such as performance. The video script advises including metrics on a resume to quantify achievements, providing concrete evidence of one's capabilities and successes.

💡Recommendation Letter

A recommendation letter is a document in which one person recommends another for a job or opportunity. The script mentions the inclusion of recommendation letters on resumes as a way to add credibility and a personal touch, similar to testimonials seen on movie posters.

💡Networking

Networking refers to the process of building and maintaining professional relationships. The video suggests having two versions of a resume, one for AI and one for networking with people, indicating the importance of tailoring one's presentation to different audiences.

Highlights

Resumes should be perfect to stand out professionally while being authentic.

Hiring managers decide whether to accept or reject a resume in less than 10 seconds.

Recruiters first notice the name, then the most recent experience, and required skills and education.

Avoid cliché mission statements; use a simple headline that describes your specialty.

List achievements, responsibilities, and specialties using bullet points to mirror job descriptions.

Include a brief description of your company to provide context, especially if not well-known.

For early-career individuals, consider past projects and roles for transferable skills.

AI technologies are used by 75% of employers to filter resumes, impacting design and content.

Standard Microsoft Word or PDF formats are recommended for applicant tracking systems.

Having two resumes—one for AI and one for humans—can be beneficial for different contexts.

Incorporating personal interests and causes can make resumes more comprehensive and authentic.

Recommendation letters or LinkedIn notes can be included for an eye-catching and sincere touch.

Resumes do not necessarily have to be limited to one page; two or three pages are acceptable if filled with relevant experience.

Endorsements and metrics can enhance a resume's appeal and demonstrate quantifiable achievements.

Modern resumes are evolving to include more personal elements, reflecting a shift in professional presentation.

Writing a resume is a challenging process that requires adapting to new trends and technologies.

Transcripts

okay so you're writing a resume and you

want it to be perfect what does it look

like what does it sound like i want to

look professional but i want to be

myself but do companies care about who i

am do i have enough to fill a page i

don't have five years experience this is

an entry level job this looks so

old-fashioned is this really still how

you're supposed to do a resume these

days

do you know it takes hiring managers

less than 10 seconds to decide whether

your resume lands in the accept or the

reject pile there is a lot writing on

this piece of paper and it's important

to know how to catch a recruiter's

attention it's also hard to do and very

easy to obsess over are you doing too

much are you doing too little what if i

don't have enough experience does this

even look good

the rules around what makes a resume

great are always changing so let's

unpack how to stand out

in the modern world

how do you stand out on paper

[Music]

it's a shame that recruiters at the

moment seem to have the attention span

of a goldfish but

it's also a necessity because there are

so many roles to fill and so many

resumes to read and only so much time

that's christy depaul she's a content

creator who writes a lot about career

navigation and personal branding she

helps people with resumes productivity

job interviews and lots of other stuff

so i heard that when a human looks at

our resume they're giving it like 10

seconds of consideration before it lands

in the accept or reject pile can you

tell us like what's happening in those

10 seconds where their eyes go first

what kind of

makes them say yes or no as someone is

scanning your resume of course they're

going to notice your name it's at the

very top and then moving on down to your

most recent experience and then do they

have the requisite skills and education

christie has a lot of advice for people

around how to write resumes here's what

she had to say

there used to be this trend where you'd

write a little mission statement at the

top of your resume like i'm an

experienced thoughtful ambitious person

who's interested in this industry etc

etc but just ditch that it's taking up

real estate on your resume christy says

you should just replace this with a

simple headline that describes you and

your specialty like content creator

marketing specialist and this can be

really useful if you're trying to switch

industries

you do want to hype yourself up on your

resume but not too much where it seems

cliche or insincere

instead use bullet points to list out

your achievements data responsibilities

and specialties

and if that is something that mirrors

the

job description that's going to be a box

that is ticked one last bit of context

to add unless your company is very

recognizable include a little blurb

about what they do i like to see when

someone adds a single line beneath the

organization name that says you know

this is

this is the premier professional

development association for engineers

you've just given me you know like a

cheat sheet to your resume

if you're early in your career or fresh

out of school it can be really daunting

to fill out a blank resume

especially if you feel like you just

don't have a lot of experience but you

do have more experience than you think i

would look at your past your past

project experience i would even look at

what you might think are roles that

aren't

at all applicable so i had a slew of

retail and service roles and you know

way back in the day i was a subway

sandwich artist there's a lot of things

i learned you know folding clothes at

american eagle

there's a lot of transferable skills

that you gain from roles that even seem

like they're way outside of what you

want to do whether those have to do with

interfacing with the public whether it's

customer service in some way i would

take a hard look at what you've done

whether it's internships volunteer work

there are a lot of ways that you can

position yourself as somebody who has

more experience than you really think

[Music]

i know one resume is hard enough

but 75 percent of us employers use ai

technologies to filter through resumes

it's mostly used to save recruiters time

and narrow down a high volume of

candidates

but yeah robots are analyzing you

it's almost impossible to predict if

you're going to do something

formatting-wise or if you're going to

say something that is going to either

downgrade your resume or possibly get it

excluded altogether if you're giving one

to a human being it could be a lot more

elaborately designed you could create

something really beautiful and a little

bit more complicated but if you're

submitting something through

an applicant tracking system

it should be a standard

microsoft word document or whatever

they're requiring a pdf and be free of a

lot of ornamentation that could throw

the applicant tracking system totally

off this is where having two resumes

comes in handy

one for ai

and one for people when you're

networking in person

[Music]

people talk about bringing their whole

self to work now we're seeing that

people are bringing their whole self to

their resume and that is a really

interesting shift for 2022 that it's not

just about a laundry list of skills and

aptitudes and past experience but it is

something that can be all-encompassing

and include

some of your personal interests causes

whether you're an activist

it can include past career gaps they're

no longer stigmatized or taboo because

we all just lived through collectively

the toughest couple of years in recent

memory and that's a relief

christy says if you have a great

recommendation letter or maybe a note

from someone on linkedin and it's

eye-catching and sincere go ahead and

put it on your resume kind of like those

little blurbs you see on movie posters

writing about yourself is tough just let

other people do it for you

[Music]

there will always be people who say that

your resume should be limited to one

page but i i think generally speaking

the more resumes i've seen lately are at

least two pages some are three christie

says not to overstuff your resume you

don't usually need more than one page

but if you have a lot of great

experience own it most applications

these days are online and christy said

it's not hard for recruiters to scroll

between pages i would say that this

process was challenging

i had i sort of went into this thinking

you know i had it figured out i have a

few years of work experience i've

written several resumes but there were a

lot of things that surprised me when i

talked to christy i did end up making

some changes to my resume i made it look

a lot more boring added some

endorsements some metrics i was really

surprised by cutting out the line at the

beginning and just having a regular

title for myself

i also have my old resume which you know

i used to be pretty proud of um and it

looks pretty like it's it's fancier um

but i do still have to make a lot more

changes to it um even though this is the

one for people and not the ai system

there you have it writing a resume will

never be easy but at least now that you

have little context around how to stand