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Finding a new job or internship can feel daunting – all at once you’re trying to balance your LinkedIn profile, your resume, and how you represent yourself. With so many plates spinning, it’s hard to put your best foot forward and still make sure you’re checking all the boxes to land your dream job.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Microsoft to take the heat off by outlining resume practices that will having hiring managers sold, every time. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for crafting the perfect resume, but there is some built-in intelligence in Microsoft Word called Resume Assistant that can do the heavy lifting for you.
Resume Assistant does exactly what it sounds like: It helps take the guesswork out of creating your resume so the whole process is that much less frustrating. You can use it right from the resume template in Word, while the built-in intelligence works on the backend to help articulate your skills and experiences in the best way. We know, it’s pretty much a miracle!
Whether you’re pursuing a career in journalism or engineering, or just trying to find your first internship, here’s how Resume Assistant can help you differentiate your professional experiences and make them stand out from the candidate pool.
Step One: Leverage Your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile is the best way to keep your skills up to date and visible to your network, but a resume is still an important part of the recruitment process. Did you know that when you’re scouting for jobs, your resume will be reviewed by humans and automated application systems, screening and looking for potential matches? It’s true – and that can feel like a ton of added pressure.
Resume Assistant can better leverage your LinkedIn so that you align with those keywords hiring managers have on their radar. Basically, it scours LinkedIn for the skills that recruiters in your industry are looking for – plus it gathers insight into how people with similar roles are describing their skills – then suggests ways to communicate your resume in a way that’s going to get you noticed. Your experiences will have never sounded better!
Step Two: Customize Your Resume for a Specific Role
Even if you’re applying to two jobs in a similar field, you always want to tailor your resume for each different company and position. Hiring managers don’t want to read something generic; they want to see your passion and genuine interest for the role. They want to see YOU, a real person – and that authenticity doesn’t shine through if you’re using the same template on every application!
Feeling stuck on how to differentiate your resume every time? Resume Assistant pulls information from real job postings so that you can frame your skills to meet the desired job qualifications. It’s the ultimate formula for getting your creative juices flowing and pulling your brain out of that resume rut!
Step Three: If You’re Stuck, Get a Second Opinion
Sometimes having a second pair of eyes is the biggest aid. If you’ve built, scrapped, and re-built your resume again and again but can’t seem to finish a final draft you’re happy with, just use the ProFinder feature to connect with experts and get their insight. ProFinder is LinkedIn’s network of freelance career coaches that can help with everything from resume writing to interviewing. Simply submit a project request and a qualified professional will counsel you through the resume speed bumps giving you trouble. (Seriously, it’s that easy.)
Resume Assistant is currently available to Office 365 subscribers on Windows, and you can learn more about how to get started here. It truly provides that extra boost you need to take your resume to the next level, but just remember: YOU have a unique experience that’s worth sharing. Don’t be afraid to utilize whatever tools available to make your resume sound as compelling as you are!