Write an Incredible Resume!

The majority of resume advice you'll find online is subjective and may not be applicable to everyone.

That's why when Austin Belcak, a career advisor, released his findings from analyzing over 125,000 resumes, it was a game-changer. This data-driven approach provides us with concrete, proven principles to enhance our resumes.

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1. LinkedIn Profile: Your Secret Weapon

The study found that resumes with a LinkedIn profile link have a higher chance of scoring interviews.

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However, it's not just about having a LinkedIn profile, it's about the quality of your profile!

A poorly maintained or incomplete LinkedIn profile might actually reduce your chances of getting a callback.

In other words, if your LinkedIn profile isn't meticulously crafted, it's better left out of your resume.

The secret to a standout LinkedIn profile? An impressive professional headshot, an informative work detail section, and a network of meaningful connections.

2. Master the Art of Keywords and Skills

The study shows that most candidates only match about 51% of the keywords in the job description.

To increase your chances of making it past the Applicant Tracking Systems, you need to pay close attention to the job description and include those frequently appearing keywords in your resume.

More importantly, don't just focus on hard skills; soft skills are equally valuable and often overlooked.

3. Measurable Metrics: The Key to Proving Your Worth

Only 26% of resumes included five or more measurable metrics. Employers love numbers because they make your value easily understandable. The more you can quantify your accomplishments, the more likely your resume will stand out.

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A simple formula to achieve this is: “Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].”

4. Less is More: Optimize Your Resume Length

The research suggests that the sweet spot for resume length is between 475 – 600 words, with resumes within this range earning double the interviews.

So, keep it concise and focus on matching the job description rather than stuffing your resume with unnecessary details.

5. Cut the Fluff: Say No to Cliches and Buzzwords

Fluffy content, buzzwords, and cliches are major resume killers. They add no value and distract from the important information.

Instead of claiming you're a 'passionate team player,' demonstrate it through your experiences and accomplishments.

If you're a job searching right now

Then you might want to check out my guide on how to use ChatGPT for Job Search!