When it comes to writing your resume trends will come and go. From different fonts to logos to headshots, it’s hard to tell what’s going to make your resume stand out and what’s going to get you kicked out of the running to secure the role.

You can rest assured that some things never change. When it comes to summarising your experience a well presented and laid out resume with simple format will do the job. You can download a sample template here to get started.

Here are some tips to make your resume stand out;

Keywords, Keywords, Keywords

If real estate is about location then resumes are about keywords. New technology used to source candidates means potential employers are using keywords to find you, especially if you are applying for a role with a large organisation  your resume may well go through a filtering system before it gets to HR. Use words that are relevant to your job and avoid creative job titles as they won’t show up.

Hyperlink where you can

Add hyperlinks for email addresses, LinkedIn profiles or social media pages that you want the hiring manager to see. They are also less likely to go searching the net if what they need is a click away.

Use chronological format

Always most recent work history first. The average time spent reading a CV is 7 seconds so don’t waste the reader’s time by making them search a long document for what they are looking for.

Presentation, presentation, presentation

Although it is obviously the content of your resume that will eventually gain you an interview, you should also take extreme care as to the presentation. You want it to be easy for the reader to follow and understand.  

Combine your skills and work experience together

Prospective employers want to see how you’ve used the skills you have acquired and where. This will help you tailor your resume more accurately to each role you apply for.

Include correct dates of employment

Make sure to include month and year of employment when recording start and finish dates. Year alone is not enough.