4 things in your resume for getting noticed and respond

4 things in your resume for getting noticed and respond

1. You addressed the requirements of the job which is posted.

This is so basic. Even if you don't tick all the boxes, at least acknowledge them! While you might not have PHP as a card in your development deck, perhaps you have HTML, Javascript and Objective-C. Explain in your cover letter why having those skills should fill the post with confidence that you can fill out the rest of their requirements over time.

2. Tell who you are, not just what you do.

While this might sound like namby-pamby new-age rot, think about how you would forge a new relationship in a social setting. You may start with what you do for a job, but what really makes you connect with someone is sharing something of yourself. Not just what you studied, but how you enjoyed the experience and how studying opened new ideas to you that you never thought you would consider. People are not looking for your life story - but if they want to work with you, they want to know that we're going to get on well.

3. Examples of your work.

Whether included as a portfolio or as a link to a site or blog you are working on, if they can see what you've done, it will speak volumes more than a 15-page list of all your programming languages, university awards and extra-curricular pursuits. Show people what you can do in the real world and they might just find an excuse to get you in to meet their boss.

4. Be professional in your cover letter, but also be yourself.

There is no bigger shock after reading a professionally-crafted cover letter and resume to find that the person you are interviewing is a Goth with multiple facial piercings and a neck tattoo. Whilst none of those things would ever stop people from hiring the right person, not showing some kind of personality in your cover letter to indicate that you are a little left-of-centre and then finding that you look like the lead singer of Nine Inch Nails in person isn't doing you any favours. While you might want to hide yourself for fear that you'll be rejected, sooner or later, they are going to see what you're like - so better that you're up-front about it now than shock us with it later.