Top 5 Resume Tips to Get Noticed in 2024

In a world where hiring managers are bombarded with countless applications for every job opening, crafting a standout resume is more important than ever. As we step into 2024, the job market has changed dramatically. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), remote working preferences, and employer expectations are evolving, making it essential for job seekers to tailor their resumes to meet modern-day demands.

So, what makes a resume stand out in 2024? It’s not just about keywords or a pretty template—it’s about strategically positioning yourself as the best fit for the role. Here are five essential resume tips to follow if you want to grab attention and increase your chances of landing your next job.

1. Use Action-Oriented Language to Highlight Achievements

When it comes to resume writing, many job seekers make the mistake of listing job duties instead of focusing on what they’ve accomplished. Employers are not just looking for someone to fill a role—they want someone who can make an impact. So, it’s important to showcase results and outcomes.

For example:

Instead of writing, “Responsible for managing a team,” write: “Led a team of 10, resulting in a 30% increase in productivity over a six-month period.”

Action verbs like led, initiated, achieved, and improved will grab the recruiter’s attention and make your resume more engaging.

LinkedIn offers great examples of action-oriented language to use in your CV, especially for management and leadership roles. These types of verbs are also favored by ATS tools, which scan resumes for specific terms.

2. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job Application

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is sending out the same generic resume for every job. With so many different roles and industries, your resume should be customized to fit each position you apply for.

How do you do this? First, study the job description carefully. Identify key skills and qualifications required, then tailor your resume to showcase those skills. Use specific keywords from the job description to increase the chances that your resume will pass through ATS filters.

For example, if the job requires experience in digital marketing, and you have that experience, make sure to highlight relevant projects such as SEO campaigns, PPC strategies, and content marketing in your resume.

Many job boards like Indeed or Glassdoor also offer advice on tailoring your resume based on specific industries and roles, helping you narrow down which keywords to focus on.

3. Use a Clean, Modern Layout for Easy Scanning

A resume isn’t just about content—it’s also about presentation. A visually clean and well-organized layout can help recruiters scan your resume quickly and find key information without effort. This is crucial, as hiring managers often spend only 6-10 seconds reviewing each resume.

Here’s how to make your resume layout more effective:

Use bold headings for each section (e.g., Experience, Skills, Education) to create a clear structure.
Choose a readable font like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica—these fonts are easy to read and look professional.
Use bullet points to list achievements or job responsibilities, making them easier to digest.
Keep margins wide and ensure there’s plenty of whitespace around sections. A cramped resume is hard to read and may discourage a recruiter from engaging with it.

Many resume template providers like Canva or Novoresume offer modern templates with pre-built, ATS-friendly layouts that can make the process easier.

4. Incorporate Key Skills and Keywords for ATS Optimization

In today’s digital age, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often the first point of contact between your resume and a recruiter. These systems scan resumes for relevant keywords and skills before they are even seen by a human.

To ensure your resume makes it past the ATS:

Include industry-specific keywords that match the job description. For instance, if you’re applying for a software engineering role, use terms like Java, Python, agile, and cloud computing if they align with your experience.
Use standard section headings (e.g., Experience, Education, Skills) because ATS systems may have trouble parsing custom headings like “My Professional Journey” or “Skills I Excel At.”
Avoid using graphics or images, as these can confuse the ATS and prevent it from scanning your resume properly.

You can also use tools like Jobscan or Resumake to compare your resume to a job description and get an ATS score based on the keywords included.

5. Don’t Forget About the Power of Soft Skills

While hard skills and technical expertise are essential for any role, employers also look for soft skills that demonstrate how well you’ll fit into the company’s culture. Communication, problem-solving, and collaboration are increasingly important as companies prioritize creating teams that can work together effectively—especially in remote environments.

Make sure to showcase your soft skills alongside your technical expertise. For example:

“Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design and implement new product features.”
“Demonstrated excellent communication skills while managing client relationships and leading presentations.”

Including specific examples of how you’ve applied these soft skills in real-life situations will make your resume more well-rounded.

The Muse offers great advice on highlighting soft skills in resumes, especially for roles that require interpersonal communication and teamwork.

Final Thoughts

Your resume is more than just a list of qualifications—it’s a chance to tell your professional story in a way that resonates with employers. By focusing on action-oriented language, customizing your resume for each job, using a clean layout, incorporating ATS-friendly keywords, and showcasing your soft skills, you can create a resume that’s not only effective but also memorable.

As the job market in 2024 becomes more competitive, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve and make sure your resume accurately reflects your unique strengths and value. With these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to landing your next role!

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You said:

next blog, what is the difference between a cv and a résumé

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Sure! Here’s Blog 18, focused on understanding the key differences between a CV and a resume, which is a common question for many job seekers. This post will explore the nuances of both documents, when to use each, and how to ensure you’re presenting the right one for your career goals in 2024.

Blog 18: What’s the Difference Between a CV and a Resume?

One of the most common questions that job seekers face when applying for positions is: What’s the difference between a CV and a resume? While the terms are often used interchangeably, especially in countries like the U.S. where “resume” is the standard, there are important distinctions between the two documents that every job applicant should understand.

As the job market continues to evolve, understanding when to use a CV and when to use a resume is crucial for optimizing your application materials. Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or shifting careers, knowing the key differences can help you navigate job applications with confidence.

1. The Length and Detail: CVs Are Comprehensive, Resumes Are Concise

One of the primary differences between a CV and a resume is the length and the level of detail.

Curriculum Vitae (CV): A CV is a detailed, comprehensive record of your entire academic and professional career. It typically spans multiple pages—often 3-5 pages—and includes sections such as education, research, teaching experience, publications, conferences, and awards. CVs are commonly used for positions in academia, research, medicine, or other fields where detailed career history and accomplishments are essential.
Resume: A resume is much shorter and more focused. It is typically 1-2 pages and is designed to provide a brief overview of your most relevant skills, work experience, and accomplishments. A resume is highly targeted toward the specific job you’re applying for, emphasizing the skills and experience most relevant to that particular role.

For example, a resume for a marketing position will focus on skills like SEO, content strategy, and analytics, while a CV for the same candidate might include detailed information on their academic qualifications, research projects, and publications in addition to their work experience.

Harvard Business Review discusses how the level of detail and the overall length can vary depending on industry expectations and career stage.

2. Purpose and Use: Different Industries and Regions Require Different Formats

Another important distinction is the purpose and context in which these documents are used.

CV: The CV is primarily used in academic, research, and medical fields. It’s also common in countries like the UK, Ireland, and Europe, where the term “CV” is more broadly used to describe any job application document. For example, if you’re applying for a PhD program or an academic position in a university, you’ll be expected to submit a CV that includes details about your teaching experience, research publications, and conference presentations.
Resume: In the United States and Canada, resume is the preferred term for job applications in industries like business, technology, marketing, and finance. Employers in these fields want to see a concise, easy-to-read document that highlights your relevant professional experience, skills, and achievements.

Understanding which document to use in the right context is essential. Applying for a job in the U.S. tech industry? A resume is your go-to document. Applying for a research role in a European university? You’ll need a CV.

Workplace Resource provides great insights into the best practices for crafting these documents in different professional settings and countries.

3. Content Structure: CVs Are More Comprehensive and Flexible

When it comes to the actual structure of these documents, the difference lies in the content and how it’s organized.

CV Content: A CV is a holistic document that outlines your entire career journey. You’ll include information about:
- Education (with dates, degrees, and institutions)
- Research (papers, projects, and published work)
- Academic Presentations (conferences and lectures)
- Grants or Fellowships (awards or research funding)
- Professional Experience (including teaching and other relevant positions)
- Certifications (licenses, research credentials)
- Publications (books, articles, or papers)
- Languages Spoken (especially if they’re relevant to the job)

This makes CVs more flexible than resumes. You can include anything that’s important to showcasing your professional achievements in detail.

Resume Content: A resume, on the other hand, is strategically condensed to focus on the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job at hand. A resume typically includes:
- Contact Information (name, address, phone number, LinkedIn)
- Summary/Objective (brief description of your skills or career goals)
- Work Experience (with specific results and achievements)
- Skills (both hard and soft skills)
- Education (degrees, certifications, etc.)
- Achievements or Awards (if applicable)

In a resume, every word counts. It should be written to optimize readability and appeal to a recruiter’s quick scanning, so you may choose to omit less relevant information like publications, certain job positions, or education that doesn’t directly relate to the job you’re applying for.

Jobscan helps applicants structure their resumes to ensure they meet the needs of recruiters and ATS, offering a tailored approach that cuts out irrelevant content.

4. When to Use Each Document: The Right Document for the Right Job

Knowing when to use a CV versus a resume is just as important as understanding the structure.

Use a CV When:
- You are applying for a position in academia, research, medicine, or science where a detailed record of your work is necessary.
- You’re applying for positions in countries that use the term “CV” more commonly, such as the UK, Ireland, or Australia.
- You want to highlight your long-term career achievements in detail.
Use a Resume When:
- You are applying for a business, technology, marketing, or government position where the hiring manager wants a concise overview of your skills and achievements.
- You are applying for jobs in the United States, Canada, or other countries where resumes are the norm.
- You need a document that is easily scannable, with specific attention to relevant skills and experience.

LiveCareer has a great guide on when to use a CV versus a resume, detailing the most common scenarios for both documents in various fields.

5. Key Takeaways: CV vs Resume

To recap, here’s a quick breakdown:

Aspect	CV	Resume
Length	3-5 pages (detailed, comprehensive)	1-2 pages (concise, targeted)
Content	Includes detailed academic and professional history	Highlights relevant work experience and skills
Purpose	For academic, research, or medical positions	For business, technology, marketing, or similar positions
Where Used	Primarily in Europe, academia, and certain professional fields	Primarily in the US and Canada, across most industries

Ultimately, the difference between a CV and a resume comes down to detail and focus. When in doubt, always read the job description carefully to determine which document the employer expects. And if you’re ever unsure, reaching out to the employer or recruiter for clarification can ensure you submit the right materials.