Written by

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Joe Briones

Co-Founder

Mar 27, 2024

10 Unique Tips to Create a Better Resume

In an ever-evolving job market, standing out is crucial and your resume is the first impression you make. While there are conventional rules you should follow in drafting your resume, there are also creative, unconventional strategies to ensure your resume doesn’t just blend into the pile. Here are ten unique tips to help you craft a better resume:

illustration of someone working on their resume
  1. The QR Code Revolution: While adding links to your social media profiles or portfolios has become a norm, how about transforming this information into a QR code? QR codes are easily scannable with a smartphone and can lead your potential employer directly to your LinkedIn profile, online portfolio, or personal website, providing an interactive experience.
  2. Invest in a Professional Headshot: Although it isn’t standard in some countries to include a headshot, a professionally taken photograph can help humanize your resume. This approach can be particularly effective for roles that involve public-facing or interpersonal skills.
  3. Try an Infographic Resume: Infographic resumes can be incredibly effective at illustrating your skills and experiences in an engaging way. However, ensure it remains professional, legible, and aligns with the job you’re applying for. This method works exceptionally well for design-related fields.
  4. Customize Your Resume for Artificial Intelligence (AI): Many companies now use AI in their recruitment process. Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description, and use clear, straightforward language. AI prioritizes resumes that seem to be a good match based on the language used.
  5. List Relevant Online Courses: If you’ve taken any online courses, especially from prominent platforms such as Coursera or LinkedIn Learning, don’t hesitate to include them. These can demonstrate your commitment to continual learning and adapting to new trends.
  6. Include Testimonials: Just like a product on an e-commerce website, your resume can shine with a few good reviews. Including a short testimonial from a former employer, professor, or coworker can help provide an outside perspective on your capabilities.
  7. Speak Their Language: If you’re applying to a company with a distinct culture or language, incorporate it subtly into your resume. Using a few key industry-specific terms or the company’s language can demonstrate your awareness of and fit with the company’s culture.
  8. Highlight Remote Work Skills: As the world moves towards a more digital and remote-working environment, skills such as self-motivation, time management, digital communication, and proficiency in remote work tools have become increasingly valuable. If you’ve got them, flaunt them!
  9. Consider Adding a ‘Passion Project’ Section: If you have projects that you’ve worked on outside of your professional life, including them can showcase your creativity, passion, and initiative. This could be anything from a blog you write, a community event you organized, or an app you developed.
  10. Don’t Neglect the Design: Yes, the content of your resume is important, but so is the design. A well-designed, clean, easy-to-read resume can set you apart. Use color strategically to guide the reader’s eye and consider hiring a professional if design isn’t your strong suit.

These unique tips aim to help you create a resume that reflects not just your qualifications and experiences, but your personality, dedication, and creativity as well. Remember, the ultimate goal of a resume is to tell your professional story and convince potential employers that you would be a valuable addition to their team. So, be authentic, be bold, and stand out!