Resume Tips
Hiring managers are attracted to well-formatted resumes with high-impact details. Creating a resume that will stand out to retail hiring managers can be a daunting task for many retail job seekers but can make a world of difference to your overall application success rate. Here are some tips to help you craft a resume that will help yours stand out from other job candidates.
Formatting
- Design your resume to take in consideration a busy hiring manager who needs to skim through many resumes. Keep your resume to 1 page if possible.
- Keep the design clean and esthetically pleasing by choosing basic fonts like Helvetica, Arial or Century Gothic with ample leading between lines for increased readability.
- Your resume should consist of four basic elements containing your employment information: Work Experience, Education, Skills, and Contact Information.
- Make your contact information prominent at the top of the page.
- Once you have structured the layout of your Work Experience, Education, Skills and Contact Info sections, be succinct with your descriptions about each item. Use clear and concise bullet points that both qualify and quantify the important aspects of the role.
- Have a PDF and Microsoft Word version of your resume for submission. Most employers have specific file preferences when asking for resume submissions, so it’s helpful to keep multiple file versions of your resume on hand.
- Consider having other electronic versions of your resume ready to apply, such as a completed LinkedIn profile, a personal web page, or uploading your resume to your profile on popular job application websites like Indeed to maximize your visibility as a candidate.
Work History/Job Experience
- Write a clear, concise objective/summary statement that closely matches the scope of work for the job you are applying. This is referred to as tailoring a resume.
- When appropriate, use keywords from the job description that match your experience. Focus on what you believe are the top considerations for the job you are applying for. In most cases, it’s better to exclude irrelevant experience.
- List prior job experience in reverse chronological order, with your current or most recent job at the top. If you have accomplishments from these experiences, this is where they should be noted. Indicate the number of years spent in each role at each job, including multiple roles at the same company. Always list these in order of highest achieved position or most current role first.
- Qualify: Don’t leave out important details that demonstrate a willingness to go over and above the expectations of your job duties in previous work experience. Succinctly detail measurable success that was created by it.
- Quantify: For added punch, include numerical data from measured analytics that demonstrate the impact of your previous role(s). List job duties that align your experience with the duties of the job you are applying for.
- Retail-Specific: To ensure your resume falls into the right hands, be sure to highlight any key roles, skills and accomplishments you already have within the context of the retail industry at large. Getting the correct Manager’s attention will ensure you are targeting jobs that fall within your area of expertise as well as your career goals. Research companies that align with your interests and tailor your prior retail experience to show how you can be a valuable asset.
Education
- This section should provide the highest levels of education you’ve received, your final GPA and any accolades/accomplishments achieved during your time there. (If you are still enrolled or receiving education, it is best to provide the date of your expected graduation to alert employers of your availability.)
- If applicable, list any relevant coursework by topic or course name that you think highlights your preparedness for the job in question. Keep this list to a handful or so to be mindful of page space.
Skills
- In a separate section from “Work History” and “Education,” list most relevant skills, training and certifications in bullet point format in a clear, concise way that accurately communicates your proficiency level. While there is no shortage of useful skills one could include in a job application, you should select those that best showcase your talents and abilities for the position in question.
Cover Letters
- A cover letter should communicate the reason(s) why you are interested in the role, while your resume should provide the Hiring Manager with all the informative details on your skills and previous experience. If you are required or wish to submit a cover letter, make sure not to simply restate the items word-for-word that are already on your resume. Instead, take the opportunity to describe to the Hiring Manager why you think you are a good fit for the position, and allow your personality to shine through while arguing your case.
- Cover letters should not exceed one page and should be addressed to the Hiring Manager as a formal letter with your contact information (name, email, phone, address) clearly marked in the document.