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with keywords, which Skarep said
can be found by highlighting recurring
words in the job posting. Keeping these
keywords short allows you more room
to use language that sounds like you.
“Avoid trying to stack your statements
with keywords that feel awkward or
forced,” Heard said. “Also avoid using
what feels like a generic description of
a job duty with no reflection of how you
approach things.”
Resumes use many keywords and
action verbs that are not commonly
used in everyday speech. Though the
tone of resumes is more formal than
what you use every day, you still want
your resume language to sound like you.
“In crafting your phrases, use
language that you are comfortable with
and is also industry appropriate,” Heard
said. “For example, don’t try to use
‘million-dollar words’ that feel forced or
get used in the wrong context.”
Overall, the use of action verbs and
keywords in a resume requires you to
balance the formal resume tone with
your own personal speaking style.
Keep Your Tone
Consistent
Especially when adding action verbs
and keywords, it is important that your
resume has a similar tone throughout.
If you start your resume sounding very
professional and finish the document
with an informal tone, it will leave the
employer to wonder which one is the
real you. Keeping your tone consistent
ensures that you are presenting an
accurate representation of yourself.
Have Someone Else
Read it
Sometimes, you have spent so much
time reading your resume over and over
that you miss things.
“Having that outside looking in
perspective can help you see things
that are bigger picture and help you find
what you’re missing,” Lee said.
Not only can a second set of eyes
pick out typos and spelling mistakes,
but if they know you well enough,
they can also let you know if you are
presenting who you are accurately.
A resume is first and foremost a
professional document, but it is a
window into what kind of person you
are. Your resume is your first chance to
show your future employer who you are,
so be sure to make your resume
YOU
.
AG
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