By Amanda Ferrara, Student at New York University

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Your resume is the first chance you have at impressing a potential employer, and if you don’t nail it, it might be your last.

Here are four tips to spice up your resume and make you stand out from the rest of the pile.

1. Add a Little Flair

Download templates, add bold borders or make your name pop in a fun font. Use the industry you want to get into as an inspiration. For example, if you are trying to get a job at an art museum or a theater, fun fonts and a bright border will be appreciated. On the other hand, a sophisticated header and block lettering might be better for someone looking for a job in finance. As long as you don’t go too crazy, there’s nothing wrong with showing off a little bit of your personality!

2. Showcase Something Different

Show diversity by including at least one item that shows who you are as a person outside of any previous “real” jobs you held. This, of course, requires some work because there are many opportunities that allow you to volunteer or work temporarily. For example, if you are applying for a job in the fashion industry, try to volunteer at a fashion show or a trade show for a weekend. If you want to get a job as a teacher, you might want to include how you volunteer at a children’s hospital to show that you have experience working with children.

3. Add a Highlights Section

When it comes to employment history, it is helpful to explain what each job encompassed on a daily basis, however, it is equally important to describe what the highlights of the work you’ve done are. Did you close a deal thanks to a killer presentation? Did you redesign the company website? Were you the person who took interns under her wing when no one else wanted to? Include all of the moments where you went above and beyond, and employers will definitely appreciate it.

4. Give Examples

Having supplements to your resume is a good idea and will help whoever is reviewing it get a better idea of the work you are capable of. Attach photos, video clips and samples of work you’ve done in a simple way that is easy to view. The only things to remember are to only include what is relevant and to not bombard the recipient. Only one or two supplements (if any) are necessary!

While how far you take each of these tips depends on what kind of jobs you are applying for, the main thing to focus on is showing your personality and putting your absolute best face forward. Don’t be shy about adding pizzazz or explaining how important your role at your previous job was; make your resume so interesting and impressive (all the while staying professional) that whoever is on the other end just has to meet you.
 

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