Learn what recruiters seek in a resume. Get tips to craft summaries, highlight skills and structure experience to land the perfect remote role.
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In today’s fiercely competitive job market, your resume is far more than just a list of past roles, it is your golden ticket to standing out from the crowd. Think of it as your first impression, your “hello” before the recruiter even gets to know your skills. A well-crafted resume can unlock the door to interviews and opportunities.
Now, imagine your resume is like a first date. You want it to look good, be interesting and leave your date (aka the recruiter) wanting to know more. Much like a great date, your resume needs that perfect balance of style, substance and a little bit of personality to make the recruiter think, “Hmm, I need to see more of this person”. But what exactly are recruiters looking for? And how can you make sure your resume does not just get a polite “thanks, we’ll be in touch”, but instead gets that all-important “let’s schedule an interview”?.
To make this a little more real, let’s take a look at a hypothetical candidate: Roshan Perera, an aspiring Virtual Assistant. Roshan wants to make a lasting impression, so let’s break down what he needs to do to nail his resume.
Starting strong means getting the basics right. Your contact information should be easy to find, simple and professional. While “pissu_roshan_love247@example.com” might be tempting, stick with a straightforward email and ensure you have got your LinkedIn in there too.
Example:
Tip: Keep your email address professional and simple. A unique name may be memorable, but a quirky email might not be the first impression you want to leave with your future boss!.
In the dating world, we all love a good “about me” story. We want to know what makes the other person tick, what they are passionate about and what they are looking for. The same applies to your resume. The “About Me” is where you introduce yourself but remember, you have only got a few sentences to make an impression. This should be a concise snapshot of who you are and what you are looking for in a job. This is not the time to explain your life story but rather a quick, effective pitch that shows you are skilled and ready for the role. Tailoring it for the job you are applying for is the trick.
Example:
“Dedicated and detail-oriented Virtual Assistant with over 4 years of experience providing high-level administrative support to busy professionals and teams. Proven expertise in project management and customer service. Known for my ability to streamline processes, enhance productivity and improve communication. Committed to creating solutions that foster success and efficiency in remote work environments.”
Tip: Use keywords from the job description to improve your chances with both the recruiter and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) robots.
Here’s where you show off what you are really good at. List both hard skills (technical stuff) and soft skills (people skills), so recruiters see you are not just capable of ticking off the tasks list but also easy to work with. Think of this section like your skills highlight reel.
Example:
Tip: Keep it concise and relevant, focusing on what the job requires.
This is the heart of your resume. Instead of just listing job duties, highlight your achievements and use numbers where possible. Also give recruiters a context on the companies you worked for. Mentioning company size or the number of clients or teams you supported shows you can handle diverse environments and scopes. Remember, you are selling yourself here, make each role sound like it brought you closer to being the perfect candidate.
Example:
Virtual Assistant
Freelance, Remote
March 2020 - Present
Administrative Assistant
ABC Corp, Remote
January 2018 - February 2020
Customer Service Specialist
XYZ Solutions, Colombo
June 2016 - December 2017
Tip: Always list experiences in reverse chronological order, so recruiters see your most recent and relevant work first.
Education matters but it is not the centre of attention unless you are a recent graduate. Include degrees, certifications and training relevant to the job. For Roshan Perera, his business skills did not come out of nowhere!
Example:
Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Colombo
Graduated: December 2018
Diploma of Virtual Assistance
Colombo Institute of Technology
Completed: December 2016
Certifications:
Tip: Mention any honours or notable achievements from school, especially if you were the class clown who also managed to graduate with high marks.
Photos on resumes can be tricky, some companies love them, some don’t. But if you are applying to a place that values personality and a bit of visual flair, a professional photo can make your resume memorable. Make sure it is a crisp, well-lit photo that reflects your personality.
Example:
Tip: Avoid party photos, holiday snaps or blurry selfies. This is a professional headshot, not your social media profile pic.
Volunteer work, projects or hobbies can add depth to your resume, giving recruiters a better sense of who you are beyond your work experience. It is your chance to show some personality, especially if it aligns with the company’s culture.
Example:
Volunteer Experience
Community Outreach Volunteer, Colombo Remote Support Centre
Hobbies:
Tip: Choose hobbies that reflect who you are and give recruiters a little insight into your personality.
A polished resume is easier to read and makes a stronger impression. Simple, clean formatting with consistent fonts, spacing and bullet points will go a long way. A cluttered resume can be a turn-off, no matter how strong your experience is.
Tips:
Crafting the perfect resume is not one-size-fits-all. Tailoring it to each job can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed. Take a little time to tweak each section to match the job description and you will already stand out from those mass-sending generic resumes.
And there you have it! A memorable, clear and effective resume that showcases the legendary Roshan's skills, experiences and readiness for action. With a few tweaks, you can make yours stand out just as much.
Ready to put these tips into action? Download your free resume sample template here to start building a standout resume that catches recruiters' attention. Tailor it to showcase your skills and experience for that perfect remote job fit.
Good luck and happy job hunting!
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