6 Tricks for a Recession-Proof Résumé (2)

2011-10-19
4. Customize your content
One of the most important steps when crafting your reacutesumeacute is to target your content to each company and position. Rather than creating a standard document for use with every opportunity, customize your reacutesumeacute so it speaks directly to a potential employer’s unique needs.
This may mean highlighting different accomplishments or going into greater detail about certain contributions, for instance. Doing so might take a little extra time and effort, but submitting a targeted reacutesumeacute demonstrates your knowledge of and interest in each position and will help you stand apart from other job candidates.
5. Use your cover letter
Like many job seekers today, you may have extended gaps in your work history due to current economic conditions. The cover letter allows you to address any concerns an employer may have about these gaps. In it, explain how you’ve kept your skills up-to-date since your last full-time position, whether through temporary assignments, volunteer work or professional development courses.
6. Check for mistakes
In a Robert Half survey, 84 percent of executives polled said it takes just one or two typographical errors on a reacutesumeacute to remove a candidate from contention for an open position. Employers see typos, misspellings and grammatical mistakes as a sign you lack professionalism and attention to detail. And in today’s environment, hiring managers are less willing to take a chance on applicants who seem unqualified. Use the spell-check function and ask friends and family toproofreadyour reacutesumeacute before you send it out.
One last piece of advice: Use your network to your advantage. Even if your reacutesumeacute is solid, having a professional contact who can refer you for an open position or personally hand your document to a hiring manager could be key to landing the role you seek.

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