The first step in this process is to first assess what it is you actually are looking to do. Ask yourself “why do I want this job?” or “what is it about this job that truly sparks my interest or relates to what I WANT to do in my career?” Once you are able to convince yourself that you are right for the role and this position makes sense for what you want, convincing the hiring manager of the same realization will be a cake walk.

It is important to remember that using the exact same resume for every job that you apply for may not be the best strategy. You want your resume to be tailored specifically for not just the job you’re applying for, but to the outlined job duties. Be sure to update and highlight specific job description details from past employment on your resume that are easily and readily recognizable as transferable skills. You want to focus on past experience that can directly relate to the new role in question. In an effort to try and match up your experience to a new role, do your research. Get to know the company’s culture and all around mission to grasp a better idea of what type of position this may be. This will help you be prepared to prove to the hiring manager how you are THEIR solution and not just another resume.

Unless you work in some form of design, fashion or other creative industry, less is certainly more when it comes to the formatting and layout of your resume. While you want your resume to look professional and stand out, if the layout, font, colors, etc. are too distracting, the hiring manager may not even bother reading it. It is important to keep your resume simple, concise and with a lot of white space. Although, you may feel it necessary to list all qualifications, duties, etc. on the resume, by keeping it simple and to the point, you can better convey your value to the Recruiters reading it.

Whatever you do, do not rely solely on applying online or leaving your resume out there on a job board, hoping that someone will locate it. If you want to stand out among the crowd, you need to be proactive in your strategy. Try reaching out directly to Hiring Managers or start building relationships with individuals in your industry. Networking can be huge when it comes to getting in front of the right people. By cultivating these meaningful relationships, you may find out about openings before they are even posted and could, in turn, get your resume in front the proper decision makers before your competition.

If you have concerns about your resume or are trying to figure out why you are not getting any hits or responses, take these tips to heart and maybe re-evaluate your current job seeking strategy. Your resume should never be the only arrow in your quiver; but should be the catalyst to get you noticed so you can truly sell your skills and value to your future employer.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 100 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.

According to Glassdoor.com, the following Hard and Soft skills are what employers are currently looking for in a variety of industries and and occupations.

Hard Skills

1. Data Collection and Analysis: With increased technology usage and the ability to track data and information more easily than ever before, employers are not only seeing this skill set appear more often on resumes but are eager to see how a candidate has been able to use this skill to their advantage. Whether you are marketing professional, working in logistics or operations, try and think of ways in which you have gathered and analyzed data. In fact, Glassdoor even recommends that if you can’t come up with examples from your previous employment, try taking a free online analytics course to get you going in the right direction.
2. Social Media: As many hiring managers are still reluctant to hire a full-time individual to manage their social media, they may be looking for someone who can supplement the need. However, when listing out specific experience in managing social media profiles, be sure to only touch on professional experience when it relates to social media management.
3. Content Management Systems: Creating websites and writing blogs are not just for professional designers and coders anymore. With the introduction of a number of free, easy to use websites such as WordPress, Blogger, etc., anyone can learn how to create/design a website or blog. Glassdoor recommends to check out one or more of these free sites and become knowledgeable in the platform. Looking to really make an impact? Create your own industry specific blog or online portfolio.

Soft Skills

1. Communication: As long as their have been companies and positions to be filled, employers have always valued someone with strong communication skills. In fact, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 73.4% of employers are looking for this very trait! The easiest way to display this skill on your resume is quite simple. Go over your resume and be sure to check for any grammatical or spelling errors. You want your resume to be written in a clear and concise format, give enough detail but not so much as to be overwhelming. Also, when speaking with a Recruiter, be sure to be brief when answering questions but also warm and conversational.
2. Problem Solving: All employers are looking for someone who can not only help to solve problems but have the ability to come up with creative ways in which to do. On your resume when explaining your job duties for previous positions, be sure to express those points in a way that focuses on you finding a solution. For example: “Increased monthly sales by 15%.”
3. Positive Attitude: Having a positive attitude is crucial for so many reasons in the workplace. This trait can make it easier to collaborate with co-workers and allow for creative solutions to be implemented, not to mention making the workplace a much more enjoyable atmosphere. When outlining your ability to have a positive attitude on your resume include words such as “overcame”, “determined”, “succeeded”, etc., to give an overall feeling of having a positive outlook.

Making just a few of these changes on your resume could, in fact, help you stand out just enough from your peers when applying for positions. Above all else, be confident in your skill set and make sure the Recruiter or Hiring Manager understands what you can bring to the table.

The Trillium brand of companies is privately owned by René Poch and provides more than 30 years of industry leading recruitment and staffing services through its divisions including: Trillium Staffing, Trillium Construction Services, Trillium Driver Solutions, Trillium Marine, Trillium Technical, Trillium Environmental, Trillium Hospitality and Trillium Techs. With approximately 98 offices nationwide and nearly 400 internal recruitment professionals, the Trillium brand is proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as a Top 25 Largest Industrial Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Largest Staffing Firm in the U.S., a Top 100 Fastest Growing Staffing Firm in the U.S., and a winner of National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. For more information please visit www.trilliumstaffing.com.