“Hi AdaMarie! I’ve submitted my resume so many times, but I’m not hearing back from any companies for interviews. It feels like I’m just sending my resume into the void. How can I better showcase my skills and stand out to potential employers during the hiring process?”

We get it.

Sometimes it feels like applying for jobs is a literal shot in the dark.

Don’t feel discouraged. Companies vary wildly when it comes to when they ramp up their hiring. Don’t be surprised if you get a call months after applying for a role!

Here are some tips we have to help with getting your resume noticed:

Match your skills to the job you’re applying for. Recruiters might be looking at hundreds of resumes a day. If they know they’re looking for a ‘python developer who knows CSS’, and the job description says, ‘we’re looking for a python developer who knows CSS, then be sure (if it’s accurate!) that your resume AND cover letter both state that YOU are a python developer who knows CSS.
Pay attention to keywords. Your resume may be run through an ATS that scans for buzzwords in the job description, so be sure you’re keeping an eye out for these and list them in your skillset (and cover letter!).
OWN your successes. Don’t be afraid to highlight your achievements, rather than glaze past them. The more specific, the better. Your job wasn’t just that you ‘Wrote Code’. You ‘Developed and maintained various applications using Ruby on Rails and React.” Special awards, accolades, certifications- all of these are important to include as well.
Your cover letter DOES matter! Recruiters aren’t looking for your life story, but a cover letter that’s punchy and gets right to the point is a great way to add to your chances of getting noticed. Talk yourself up and let them know right away why you’d be an asset.
Numbers to keep and numbers to lose. Be specific with your metrics. Big numbers get big attention. Consider leaving out numbers such as your graduation date. You don’t want your age to factor into whether you’re qualified for the position.
Apply, apply and apply some more. We know. It’s exhausting. But there is strength in numbers. The more you apply, the more likely you are to gain traction. Even if you don’t feel like you’re a perfect fit for something, apply anyway. Recruiters have said that they often keep resumes on hand for future jobs, even if the one you’re applying for isn’t a good fit.

Have several resumes with specific skills ready to go, so it makes this process easier for you. Doing that legwork up front will allow you to apply for multiple jobs quickly.

Know that we at AdaMarie are here to help answer your questions and guide you through this process. Be sure to check out our blog, with tons of resources and helpful tips.

You got this.