5 easy ways to make your résumé more persuasive

Contrary to popular belief, recruiters do give résumés more than a passing glance, spending an average of three to six minutes on each. To impress, you need to make your case to them. Here are five ways to make yours more persuasive: referring to and make sure it aligns with your overall message. For example, the seasoned HR professional mentioned above might write: “I lead a team of six HR managers who together have contributed bold initiatives, and bottom line results.”

1. Make sure there’s a fit

First, make sure you have a case. Your job experience must align with what the employer is looking for. This need to find the fit between the job posting and your background does not mean “fake it till you make it.” It means applying only for those positions that align with your experience and achievements.

2. Create a single, powerful message

Ask, “What’s the one idea I want to get across about myself?” Put it at the top of your résumé. I’ve seen résumés that begin with a jumble of ideas, and provide a blurry, unfocused picture of the candidate. Instead, write something like this: “I am a seasoned HR professional who has led teams of high achievers in three successive industry positions.”

3. Develop a message for each job you’ve held

Look at each of the jobs you’ve held, and write a one-sentence message about your role in that position. Put it just under the title of the job it’s

4. Bullet your achievements

Create a set of bullet points for each job you’ve held, showing your accomplishments. The bullets should all start with a verb or action word. They should be as specific as possible about the impact of your work

5. Proofread your résumé

Carefully proofread your résumé, several times!