3 Resume Secrets Recruiters Won't Share

Have you been feeling lost in your job search? Applying for jobs and not hearing anything back? It might be your resume. We all want to believe that we are the best fit for any role (and you might be) but if you aren't able to articulate that on that sheet of paper, then it won't really matter. Check out these tips, go forth, and prosper!

Own your skills. Most of the people I work with are overqualified for the positions that they want. However, when I ask about their experience and skills, they sell themselves short. Every job requires a different set of skills and it's important to note which ones are transferable. I'm not talking about changing your job title from your summer job at Subway to "Sandwich Artist" but highlighting the fact that you "consistently exceeded monthly promotion goals by up-selling featured products using innovative sales tactics" is way better than "took payments and showed excellent customer service. " This displays ownership and your ability to take a mundane task and contribute to the bottom-line.

Quantify your accomplishments. No recruiter wants to read your resume and see the same description in different words for every job. While describing your experience, show how you contributed to the company's bottom line by using what Google calls the "XYZ" method. It's described as "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]. By doing this, you stand out among the cookie-cutter templated resumes and make your accomplishments more memorable.

Don't be ashamed of your past jobs. Unfortunately, everyone won't get a job directly after college or in the field that they thought they would. This can lead to taking odd jobs or jobs that don't necessarily help you build your skills for your desired role. It's essential to note that employers are realistic and, most importantly, human. Your job at McDonald's or a call center offered valuable soft skills that need to be highlighted on your resume. Skills such as customer service and working independently in a fast-paced environment can be powerful if paired with hard skills while using the XYZ method.

Own your past and craft your accomplishments, it's what made you who you are today!

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