Published on March 23rd, 2017 | by Guest

What science tells us about creating a killer résumé [Infographic]

Jobseekers have used printed résumés and pdfs for years while applying for work, but only recently have we truly begun to use research and data to get a fuller idea of what it is that makes an résumé effective. If you were taught about this years ago in school and are still updating that same old Word document each time you’re looking for work, you are not giving yourself the best opportunity for success. It is well worth looking at the tried and tested methods of creating a killer CV if you want to make an impact with potential employers.

For example, you may be accustomed to beginning your résumé with a list of your previous jobs and volunteer opportunities. In fact, surveys have revealed that 41% of HR managers are more likely to sit up and pay attention if you hit them with your skill set before you go into details about where you developed these skills.

You should also think twice before including a photograph with your CV. While the prominence of LinkedIn may make it seem like a modern thing to do, research suggests that 88% of the time the inclusion of a headshot on a classic format résumé will result in rejection. However, we don’t know if this is for reasons of aesthetics or professionalism!

And don’t forget about the extra touches. Nearly half of all job applicants neglect to include a cover letter when sending their résumé – yet 40% of employers would like to see one. Get yourself ahead of the pack with a brief, friendly, professionally-formatted cover letter.

A new infographic from Net Credit provides a detailed rundown of some of the things science has taught us about crafting that killer résumé. Put an hour aside to apply these principles to your application documents, and you will surely improve your chances of success.