The majority of resume advice you'll find online is subjective and may not be applicable to everyone.
That's why when Austin Belcak, a career advisor, released his findings from analyzing over 125,000 resumes, it was a game-changer. This data-driven approach provides us with concrete, proven principles to enhance our resumes.
(looking for my cover letter template? Click here)
The study found that resumes with a LinkedIn profile link have a higher chance of scoring interviews.
A poorly maintained or incomplete LinkedIn profile might actually reduce your chances of getting a callback.
In other words, if your LinkedIn profile isn't meticulously crafted, it's better left out of your resume.
The secret to a standout LinkedIn profile? An impressive professional headshot, an informative work detail section, and a network of meaningful connections.
The study shows that most candidates only match about 51% of the keywords in the job description.
To increase your chances of making it past the Applicant Tracking Systems, you need to pay close attention to the job description and include those frequently appearing keywords in your resume.
More importantly, don't just focus on hard skills; soft skills are equally valuable and often overlooked.
Only 26% of resumes included five or more measurable metrics. Employers love numbers because they make your value easily understandable. The more you can quantify your accomplishments, the more likely your resume will stand out.
The research suggests that the sweet spot for resume length is between 475 – 600 words, with resumes within this range earning double the interviews.
So, keep it concise and focus on matching the job description rather than stuffing your resume with unnecessary details.
Fluffy content, buzzwords, and cliches are major resume killers. They add no value and distract from the important information.
Instead of claiming you're a 'passionate team player,' demonstrate it through your experiences and accomplishments.
Then you might want to check out my guide on how to use ChatGPT for Job Search!