The U.S. economy added an average of 180,000 jobs per month in the first 11 months of 2024, according to the Indeed Hiring Lab, indicating a solid but slowing labor market. Just 10% fewer job advertisements than the same month the previous year meant that competition still remained hot — especially in roles that relied on effective problem-solving, with 89% of hiring managers flagging that particular skill as one to look out for in resumes in the same year, according to Resume Genius data.
A good CV is more than just a formality in the competitive job market of today; it’s your personal marketing tool that could open doors to fresh prospects. Whether you recently graduated or have experience, the caliber of your CV will decide whether or not you get passed over the stack of applications or earn an interview. It’s about highlighting your special worth in a way that draws attention and fits what companies are looking for, not only about enumerating your experiences. Let’s investigate why a well-written resume is crucial – especially for positions requiring problem-solving abilities – and how you could differentiate yours.
Why A Well-Written Resume Is Key In A Problem Solving Job
A solid resume is your ticket to getting the interview and the job you desire. It is your first impression of a potential employer which presents your qualifications, work experience, and accomplishments in a structured way. With employers getting upwards of hundreds on one job role, a well-formatted resume allows you to stand out from the crowd. Regardless of whether you are applying for an internship or a managerial role, your resume needs to be clean, professional, and customized as per the job application. Jooble is one of the most reputable job search engines and a great source of tools and insights to help job seekers optimize their resumes and increase their chances of getting hired. You can explore thousands of fresh opportunities on Jooble’s online job listings tailored for flexible and remote roles.
Key Resume Writing Tips
Take the Keywords from the Job Posting
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are used by recruiters and hiring managers to filter resumes. Over 98.8% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS, while 66% of large companies and 35% of small organisations rely on them. To get your resume into the right hands, use keywords from the job posting itself. These keywords typically contain job titles, skills or qualifications related to the position. If a job description says “project management” or “customer service,” make sure to include those phrases organically in your resume. Make sure to use the right keywords – this will help you get through the initial screening steps and finally land an interview. Jooble gives the job seekers detailed job description, which helps to find crucial keywords for their resumes.
Combine My Experience and Accomplishments
A good resume needs to emphasize your most relevant work history and achievements. Rather than providing a comprehensive list of every job you’ve ever held, highlight those roles that validate your ability to succeed in the position you’re seeking. List top achievements in bullet points and explain how you used to make your previous employers successful. Employers want to know precisely who you are, so you need to understand which skills and experiences you bring to the table that can provide value. In fact, hiring managers look for candidates who can provide value to their organization, so you need to ensure that the skills and expertise you list in your resume resonate with the requirements of the job application. You can find additional tips on showcasing your work experience in Jooble’s career resources.
Select a Professional and Clean Format
Your resume format is the backbone of how readable it is. Choose a simple, professional layout with obvious section headings. A good CV is in reverse chronological format, starting with your most recent work experience. Use a standard font such as Arial or Calibri so that it is clear and professional. Steer clear of too much graphic design or complicated formatting – they can make your resume hard to digest. Following a well-structured resume format allows recruiters to spot what they want to know easily. Jooble suggests using a format that is ATS-friendly to make your resume more likely to pass the first screenings.
Be Succinct in Your Resume
Hiring managers have only a few minutes to read each resume, so it’s critical to be brief. If you have a lot of experience, let a second-page be your friend otherwise, your resume should ideally be on a single page. Pick and choose the details you include and keep the focus on the most impactful aspects of your career. People were bored, so don’t put fluff in – every sentence adds to the story and ruthlessly cut anything that does not. A concise resume allows employers to assess your qualifications quickly and see if you’d fit the role.
Show Your Accomplishment in Numbers
You can not only make your work seem impactful, but you can also use numbers to give some quantified metrics about how you contributed in previous roles. Rather than “Managed a sales team,” say “Managed a sales team of 10 and grew revenue 25% in six months.” Numbers help you quantify success and show potential employers what value you will add to the company. Quantifying your accomplishments makes your resume more powerful, no matter if it’s revenue growth, cost savings, or productivity: How much or how many did you save or gain? Jooble recommends creating a results-driven resume that grabs the attention of the employers with measurable achievements.
Leverage Active and Engaging Language
What you say and how you say it, can have a massive impact on resume perception. Use strong action verbs to convey your duties and accomplishments. Replace passive phrases such as “was responsible for managing projects” with active verbs like “led cross-functional teams to complete projects ahead of schedule.” Using active language makes your resume more readable and interesting to hiring managers. Using strong verbs help emit confidence and competence.
Proofread carefully to avoid mistakes
Spelling and grammatical mistakes can make even the most qualified applicant look careless. Before submitting your resume, carefully check it. Read it out loud, use spell check, and ask a friend or mentor to review it. Employers will notice the time you put into your resume, and having an error-free document shows professionalism. Even a small error can leave a negative impression. So make sure to double-check your work.
This resume review guidance from Jooble enables an applicant to hone their resume’s details. This in turn helps them to avoid the most frequent blunders that could make them lose out on opportunities. Steps to make the best use of your resumes:
Final steps to make your resume better
Get Feedback from a Professional or Mentor
Someone who is familiar with your work may identify the opportunities for you to improve your resume. Ask your mentor, career coach, or someone familiar with your business to examine it and give you their opinion. They can also open up what an employer might be expecting. Constructive criticism can help you refine your resume to create the most accessible and balanced one for your qualifications to land a position. Jooble further advises their clients to seek professional advice.
Customize Your Resume for Each Application
A one-size-fits-all resume won’t make a lasting impression on employers. With U.S. job seekers needing to send 50-100 resumes to secure a role in 2024 (Zippia), customization was critical. Customize your resume to be hired for a position. Feel free to alter your abilities, work history, and accomplishments to match the job you’re applying for. This could show your thoughtfulness and an actual assertion that you are interested in a career. You may also include a thoughtfully crafted cover letter that reflects and complements your resume’s theme, stating why you are the best candidate for this position
With these resume tips, you’ll end up with a concise, polished document that makes employers take notice. Important note: It’s more than a summary of your work experience – it’s a tool! Make sure you spend time looking over your resume, tailoring it for every opportunity, and making sure that it is the best representation of your professional skillset. And with the tools and insight from Jooble, you can be well on the path to your next job!