Look at Me: 5 Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out for the Right Reasons

Arkansas Hiring and Employment trends in 2021

When applying for your dream job in Central Arkansas, you will likely face stiff competition from other professionals. Make a strong first impression with your potential employer by crafting a resume they will simply not be able to put down.

Working with a staffing agency that offers job placement services in Little Rock is a great way to have a competitive edge during your job hunt. As you work with a staffing expert, you will gain access to rewarding positions that may not be posted publicly, but this does not necessarily mean that you will be the only applicant. To increase your odds of landing an interview, you must ask the question, “How do I make my resume stand out?” The following tips will help your resume grab the attention of hiring managers in Central Arkansas and make sure you come across as a promising candidate.

1. List Your Most Relevant Experience First

While many people list their previous job experiences in reverse chronological order, this will not do much good if your most recent job is not relevant to the one for which you are applying. For example, if you took a part-time retail or restaurant job to pay bills while looking for jobs in the competitive health care field, you will want to list other experiences first. The most crucial and relevant information should float to the top of your resume to ensure it will be seen before any other employment details.

2. Limit Your Bullet Points

Listing the job responsibilities for each position you have held allows employers to browse your qualifications, but do not get carried away. Include no more than five bullet points for each position. Add more than that and you will run the risk of employers skimming too quickly and ending up at the end of your resume unimpressed. Make sure to include the most relevant responsibilities for each position, and begin each bullet point with a verb to provide lots of attention-grabbing action. If you are working with a job placement service in Little Rock, your staffing specialist can recommend what responsibilities will be best for your intended audience.

3. Use Specific Examples Instead of Vague Terms

While being a “team player” is a positive trait to have, this term does not provide employers with enough information about your actual experience. Instead of using generic phrases or business jargon, offer concrete examples that illustrate why you are a good fit for the position an employer is offering. For instance, highlight that you launched a complicated project while staying on budget rather than simply stating that you are “detail-oriented” or a “strategic thinker.”

4. Include Different Skill Sections

If you have a variety of skills, consider placing them in separate sections instead of listing them all under a general skills portion of your resume. This design tactic is called “chunking,” and it makes your collections of skills stand out more when employers review your resume. You might include a section for the software programs you are familiar with, keeping it separate from the hardware skills you possess instead of combining them into a single, overarching technology section.

5. Display Your Achievements

Be sure to reserve a section of your resume for the achievements and honors you have received, even if they are not specifically from a previous employer. Sharing personal achievements that show how dedicated you are to accomplishing goals, such as running a marathon, can give a potential employer an idea of what kind of worker you are. List your achievements under an appropriate section, such as “Interests” or “Accomplishments.”

If you’re looking for a new job, check out our Job Openings page + to see what’s available. Apex Staffing specializes in connecting talented job seekers with high-quality, local employers. Our service is completely free for job seekers and we are always accepting applications.