Are you actively looking for a work from home job but haven’t received any response or interview invites? Your resume may be to blame. The application process for home-based jobs is different than traditional employment. You will not always get to meet the client for an interview right away. That’s why the FIRST IMPRESSION IS VERY IMPORTANT, and that is your resume – a one-page profile that employers will check to see if they will be interested to interview and hire you.
Recruiters and hiring managers come across so many different resumes on a daily basis. Because of that, resume trends and practices are constantly evolving! For you to get ahead of the pack and attract attention, it’s a must that you have a resume that stands out.
Here are some creative ways to submit a work from home resume that makes you shine!
1. Optimize For Keywords
How can you make sure that recruiters or clients will look into your application? YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT EXACTLY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. More than 64% of staffing firms are now using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to help pre-filter resumes. They are using this software to scan resumes for specific keywords related to the position and qualifications they are looking for. It will give a score based on relevance and send the most qualified ones for human review.
If you want your application to pass for human view, make sure to optimize your resume for specific keywords. Yes, KEYWORD is the key! You need to identify the exact phrases from the job description and mirror their language throughout your resume. Words like “reliable”, “organized”, “self-starter”, “self-motivated”, and “dependable” are the most frequent work from home keywords employers use. These skills demonstrate leadership and initiative that makes you a dynamic candidate.
2. Use Modern And Appealing Template
The time when resumes are only created through Microsoft Word is long gone. With our fast pacing technology, people are looking to get an alternative to make life a lot easier. Today, there are tons of new applications if you want to level up your resume and get that dream job.
Canva is one of the easiest applications to use in putting together an eye-catching resume. You don’t need to be a graphic designer, this app will give you awesome results for minimal effort. You can easily add images, customize the background and add colors. Canva works both on mobile (iOS and Android) and computers. You can use their free templates or pay $1 per graphic if you add a premium graphic to your resume.
3. Make Your Resume Interactive
Modern technology offers endless possibilities to search for work and we need to take advantage of that. Using your online presence to make a good personal brand is another way to attract clients. An interactive resume is an online resume (electronic document) that includes more engaging information than what a word document can offer. One of its advantages is the POWER OF THE LINK – you can send and share it quickly! How cool is that?
Adobe Spark is one great tool that lets you create a single-page interactive resume. All you have to do is sign up and fill up some information. From there, you can choose to create a Post, a Page or a Video. Once you’ve selected the template, font, and color of your preference you can easily create an impressive portfolio with little effort on your part. Signing up is free!
4. Create Your Own Website
Another way to make your resume shine is through your own website. A well-developed website will enhance your personal brand and attract possible clients. You don’t need to worry if you do not have any website development experience. There’s a lot of applications that you can use to create a free website. Wix is one of the best apps in creating a professional website for beginners. It will build a nice looking website for you after answering some questions. Wix interface is very straightforward, what you see is what you get! Though it is not as customizable as WordPress, you’ll save a lot of time to build and maintain your own website.
In addition, your online presence is very important if you’re aiming for a work from home career. So make sure that all your social media accounts are updated and at its professional look.
5. Add An Animated Video
A video resume is one fun way to present yourself and can make an impressive impact on the viewers. You can create an animated video presentation of your skills, experiences, and achievements.
Powtoon is a free animation app that you can use to create your resume presentation. It’s as simple as drag and drop! You can either use their free template and characters or get a premium subscription for more options. Make sure that the video is not too long so recruiters can watch it without spending too much time. Once done you can simply add the video link on your written resume, to your website and other social media accounts.
Creative resumes are a great way to show off and make you stand out from the competition. Take some time to learn which format is most appropriate for the industry you’re applying for. Don’t be afraid to go out of the box and try something new! It may be just what you need to get that dream job!