How to Make YOUR Resume Stand Out
1. Use a Great Template
Avoid reinventing the wheel when it comes to your resume. There are a plethora of fantastic resume templates out there. Many are free and are easy to use. Select a template that is simple but eye-catching. Your resume is often the first thing employers see. Consider it your first “digital” impression. If you’re not sure where to start and what to include in your resume, review our Resume Writing Guide.
2. Upgrade Your Verb Choice
It’s time to retire boring verbs that will undoubtedly show up on every resume. Instead, replace common verbs with power verbs to truly send your resume straight to the top. Need some inspiration? Check out our list of 101 Power Verbs to Make Your Resume Shine!
3. Highlight Your Skillset
You are unique! There is no one else like you in the world. Your experiences and skills are also unique. Focus on highlighting the most powerful examples of your unique skillset and background. Applying for a science teaching job? Remember to list experiences relevant to your content area. Perhaps you facilitated a science summer camp. You’ll want to include that! Be sure to Include any other roles you might be able to fill for the employer. Were you an assistant volleyball coach for a middle school? Did you help out with the drama productions? Include those as well!
4. Use Clear Formatting
A resume should be easy to read with clear headings and formatting. Make sure to be uniform with font size and spacing to ensure the hiring committee can focus on the important details in your resume.
5. Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Keep your resume concise. It is best to avoid “filling in” the template just to have more on your resume. Remember that the hiring committee looks through a lot of resumes and scans for the necessary items. They want to know: Are you qualified/certified? What is your experience or background like? Keep your entries relevant and focused.
6. Make Sure to Spellcheck AND Proofread
Make sure the “spellcheck” function is turned on while typing your resume so as to catch any silly mistakes. The next thing you should do is proofread it slowly. Many job seekers forget to proofread the resume themselves. You may find it helpful to print out a sample and read it on a physical copy. Punctuation and grammatical errors tend to appear more clearly when on paper.
7. Ask a Friend to Review
The more eyes on your resume, the better, especially if it is someone in your line of work! Ask a friend or two to review your resume and give you feedback on the content or formatting. Ask them if it is clear and if there are any errors you can fix before your final copy. P.S. Did you know that Texas Teachers offers a FREE Resume Review service for enrolled candidates?! Log into your Intern Portal to learn where to send it!
8. Make It PDF-Friendly
Typically, the HR department combs through applications before they even make it to the hiring committee for review. It is common practice to print the resumes in order to review a large stack in one sitting. Make sure your resume is uploaded to your application in the form of a PDF. This will help you rid the document of any unwanted formatting glitches. Keep in mind most printers are black and white, so you should avoid using a lot of color on your resume that may look fantastic digitally, but loses its luster after making its way through a black and white copier.
