Fact: Men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them.
But why is this the case?
It boils down to confidence—a quality that many women (yes, even me) struggle with when applying for a job. If you struggle with confidence while searching for jobs, you’re not alone.
However, one way to build and show off your confidence is through your resume. Learning how to make your resume sound better can be a great start to improving your confidence.
Why is Confidence Important in a Resume?
A solid resume is key for anyone on a job hunt, since it’s the first thing a potential employer sees about you.
That’s why it’s important to make a good first impression with a resume that not only demonstrates your experience and qualifications, but that shows your confidence in your ability to do the job better than anyone else.
Below, we discuss how to make your resume sound better by adding some confidence!
1. Customize Your Resume to Fit the Job Posting
Hiring managers are scanning for specific qualities in job candidates. So, if your resume doesn’t match those qualities, they may just toss it and move on to the next candidate.
Customizing your resume to address points that relate to the job you’re applying for is a great way to stand out among other candidates. This lets the employer know that you’re able to do the job, and that you cared enough to really study the job description and demonstrate interest.
2. Remember: It’s Okay to Brag
When you’re looking for a job, you have every right to talk about everything you’ve done that you’re proud of—whether it be experience, awards, or skills, you should give them the details!
If you’re not proud of your work or you don’t go above and beyond describing your achievements, then it’s very difficult to stand out among others. Showing off these aspects show that you’re both capable and trustworthy.
3. Include Examples
It’s important that you back up your statements with examples. For instance, if you have on your resume “planned company events,” you should elaborate on that. Include a brief description of one of these events and how it helped the company grow.
Note: Don’t add too much detail. No one wants to read a resume that has excessively long descriptions. Find a way to cut out any unnecessary wording and focus on making your point in 1-2 sentences.
4. Use the “XYZ Formula”
The XYZ formula is a way to format elements of your resume to make it easy-to-read and concise, while also providing context and flow.
In one sentence, it includes what you’ve accomplished (X) + the qualitative results (Y) + the skills or experience you utilized to achieve the outcome (Z). This use of both facts and numbers helps add credibility and gives insight into your strengths!
A sentence structure in the XYZ format should look like this: action verb, achievement, measurement, detail of what you did to achieve your goal. Here’s an example:
“Grew revenue for 15 small business clients by 10% quarter-on-quarter analysis through mapping new software features as solutions to their business goals.”
5. Avoid Cliché Words
There are several words that many people tend to use on their resume. Using the same cliché words that thousands of other people use on their resumes tends to get boring, and won’t help you stand out whatsoever.
Below is a list of words and phrases that are overused on resumes:
- Detail-oriented
- Team player
- Self-motivated
- Hardworking
- Innovative
- Responsible for
Try to find different words that portray the same meaning. For example, instead of “team player,” try “team-oriented” or “collaborative.”
This way, you still describe yourself with the same attributes. However, it won’t look like the same cookie-cutter resume sections that the hiring manager has probably seen many times before.
Want to Learn How to Make Your Resume Sound Better? Enlist the Help of a Professional Performance Coach
Before you display your confidence on paper, you need to find it within yourself.
At Stiletto, we provide professional performance coaching to help individuals and organizations find confidence and clarity in the workplace.
We work with individuals and organizations to create deep self-awareness and effective actions to make positive changes. We hope that these efforts are reflected in all of our clients’ everyday lives so that they can eliminate vulnerability and intimidation in order to achieve their goals.
If you want to feel more empowered in your professional life, contact us today!
