Is one of your 2016 career resolutions to find a new job? Then, as one of the leading recruiting agencies in Houston, Murray Resources knows your resume is a critical tool in the process. But if you haven’t looked at your resume in a while, then it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you create a great resume so you can land your dream job in 2016, here are 5 tips to help:

Tip #1: Brainstorm about your background.

When you’re first starting out, don’t filter yourself. Instead, write down everything you can think of regarding your career, including past jobs, accomplishments, awards, new skills, certifications earned, continuing education, and any other relevant facts. You can edit all this information and tailor it later.

Tip #2: Concentrate on the wins.

For each position you’ve held, don’t just define your tasks and responsibilities. Hiring managers want to know more than you just “Ordered office supplies.” Instead focus on the positive impact your work had on the company, as well as any important accomplishments. For example, state that you “managed the office budget and office supply contracts, re-negotiating with vendors and saving 15% on supplies in the process.” Hiring managers want to see a track record of success backed up by facts and figures.

Tip #3: Look for help from other sources.

Writing a great resume isn’t easy. Instead, look for inspiration from other sources around the web to jumpstart your thought process. For instance, a site like LinkedIn could be helpful when you look for other professionals with a background similar to yours to see how they market themselves. That’s not to say you should be copying and pasting from the web; but it’s a great place to go as a guide.

Tip #4: Take a look at past evaluations.

You can also look at your past performance evaluations as another source of inspiration when you’re writing your resume. If you have copies of yours, look for your areas of strengths and positive comments from your past bosses. It will also help ensure you don’t overlook any important areas in your background.

Tip #5: Tailor your resume every time you apply.

Don’t send the same resume to every job you’re applying to. Instead, tailor and tweak it for each unique position. For one position, knowing a certain computer program could be critically important. If that’s the case – and you’re literate in that program – then tout that detail at the top of your resume in a “Summary of Expertise” section. Remember, you’re trying to not only give hiring managers an overview of your background, but also stand out in a sea of other candidates.

Your resume is your ticket into the interview process. By following the tips above, you can ensure you create a great one that gets results.

If you’d like more help creating your resume, or finding job leads, call Murray Resources. As one of the top recruiting agencies in Houston, we can assist you with the entire job search process – from writing a strong resume to preparing for interviews to finding job opportunities that are a great fit for your skills and background.

Ready to get started? Contact us today.