With so many people in the job market today, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out when creating a resume. However, there is something you can do that will make a world of difference in how your resume is received and viewed by potential employers. It’s something that’s quite simple to do as well as something that not all job seekers have caught on to.

What is a focused resume?

It’s creating a results-oriented resume. That would be a resume that focuses more on accomplishments, achievements, and results than a recitation of tasks you’ve performed in previous job functions.

Instead of stating that you’ve answered phones in previous positions you may want to consider letting employers know that you managed communications between your previous employers and more than 1,500 customers, vendors, and supporting staff per week.

Why use specific numbers?

Shortly put, statistics sell. They provide convincing evidence that you’re up to the task at hand in a way that vague allusions to the fact that you’ve answered phones for previous employers never will.

Don’t forget to be specific about equipment you’ve used in the past. All equipment has some degree of a learning curve to go along with it. However, if you have previous experience on specific equipment used in the position you’re applying for, it can be the deciding factor between you and another candidate for the position who did not state which equipment he or she has worked with in the past.

Why does this type of resume resonate with employers so much better than traditional resumes?

Employers receive many resumes for a few limited positions. To some degree, they’re all a little bland and generic. They also offer little information about the mind behind the resume. A resume that focuses on accomplishments rather than responsibilities shows potential employers many things about candidates. Here are just a few things an accomplishment-oriented resume says to potential employers about candidates.

• It says you’re driven by the bottom line.
• It lets employers know you “speak their language.”
• It also shows that you are able to think outside the box when necessary.
• It shows that you take pride in your accomplishments and professional achievements.

The bottom line is this. When employers are sorting through large piles of resumes looking for candidates that stand out enough to pass through to the interview process, they’re going to be most interested in the candidates that show proof on paper that they can handle the best and worst the job has to offer. Offering hard numbers to quantify your accomplishments is one of the most powerful things to include in this resume, but keep them accurate. Then use the remainder of the resume to focus on the specific actions you took that achieved the accomplishments you made in your previous positions.

Look to Davis Staffing for multiple contract assignments in the Greater Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana areas that will help you achieve your career goals in a more focused way.