Make your resume stand out with these resume elements

Do you know the best way to stand out from the competition when you are applying for a job? To write a unique resume. A lot of job seekers use the same traditional resume format that lists the basic resume sections. If you want your job application to grab the attention of recruiters, you should go a step further. Here are six unique resume elements to add to yours today:

1. A Professional Headshot

If you work in an industry like acting, modeling, or entertainment, adding a professional headshot to your resume is a great way for you to stand out. Depending on the type of job you are applying for, you will need to curate your appearance. Dress professionally for your photo and hire a professional photographer. Ensure that the image is cropped to fit the frame on your resume.

2. A resume summary or resume headline

A resume summary or resume headline, is a short paragraph that goes on top of your resume. A resume headline is a sentence that mentions a few key skills or achievements. Your resume summary is comparatively longer, consisting of 2-4 sentences. You can highlight a few related key skills, experiences, and achievements in your resume summary. The aim of both of these resume elements is to provide a quick snapshot of who you are to the reader.

3. Testimonials or Quotes from References

Adding testimonials or quotes from your previous employers, ex-coworkers, clients, current employers, or present coworkers is a great way to spice up your resume. Honest testimonials from people who have worked with you or obtained services from you can tell a lot about your abilities to a potential employer. Testimonials give a hiring manager a glimpse of who you are and the level of your professional skills. Also, only a few job seekers include testimonials on their resumes, which will make yours stand out in the competition.

4. Relevant Hobbies or Interests

Including hobbies or interests on your resume is one way to incorporate more keywords into your resume. Are you lacking work experience to back up a certain skill the employer is asking for? Then, use one of your hobbies or interests to show your familiarity with the skill. For example, the job description demands excellent teamwork skills, but you have no team projects to highlight in the work experience section. What you can do is add a hobbies and interests section to your resume and mention how you have won several trophies for a team sport.

5. A Creative Design or Format

The first thing any hiring manager will notice about a resume is the format. If you have used a traditional black-and-white resume design with zero design elements, your resume will look like a boring read. On the other hand, if you use a creative resume template from the internet, your resume will most likely look overdone. The best option you have is to create your own resume template. You can use sample resumes from the internet to inspire you.

6. Metrics or Results

Results-oriented resumes are the new black! Gone are the days when hiring managers were impressed by mile-long lists of job duties on resumes. Today, hiring managers want to see how you quantify your achievements on a resume using real data. This tells them all they need to know about your ability to add value to their teams. Always back your results up with metrics and let those achievements have a special place on your resume.