When you're actively searching for a new career, you know the importance of crafting a compelling resumé. In addition to the expected information, such as work history and experience, there are certain "green flags" that can help your application catch the eye of prospective employers.
To help job seekers land that coveted interview, the members of Young Entrepreneur Council share their experiences on the other side of the hiring table. Read on for 13 attributes that can send your resumé to the top of the list—and the top of a hiring manager's mind.
In today's work world, what's one thing you might see on a job candidate's resume that would make you excited to bring them in for an interview? Why?
1. Community involvement
I expect job applicants to have a consistent record of work-related achievements and continuous learning. But those who are also involved in the community through volunteerism or civic participation have an added dimension that is distinguishing. —Evan Nierman, Red Banyan
2. Initiative beyond the job description
One thing that instantly catches my eye on a resumé is a track record of initiative beyond the scope of a candidate's job description. Whether it's spearheading a new project, learning a skill to improve their performance, or actively contributing to a team's success in a demonstrable way, it shows that this person isn't just about clocking in and out and will be an asset to the company's growth. —Michelle Aran, Velvet Caviar
3. Contributions to the industry
My favorite thing on a resumé is volunteer work or any contribution made toward a field or industry. For example, my businesses rely on the WordPress ecosystem, and I enthusiastically hire people who have contributed to it in some way, whether by organizing camps or translating documentation. Contribute to your industry to make your resumé stand out in a powerful way. —Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner
4. A track record of adaptability
I would be excited to see a demonstrated track record of adaptability and learning on their resume. When I see a candidate who has taken the initiative to upskill themselves or navigate through different industries or roles, it shows me that they have the drive and motivation to thrive in dynamic environments. It also indicates that they are flexible and eager to take on new challenges. —Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
5. Long-standing loyalty
If I look at an application and see that a candidate was with their last company for a long time, I'm always excited to get them in for an interview. I know job hopping has become a trend, especially in the tech industry. When someone is willing to stay loyal to one company for years, I want to talk to them and figure out how to get them to join our team and stick with us. —Daman Jeet Singh, FunnelKit
6. Past achievements
One thing that may make me want to call candidates for a job interview is their past achievements. If they've managed to showcase how they helped their previous employers come up with best-suited solutions for their respective problems, it would be the thing in their resumé that would excite me the most, and I would want to know more about their experiences. —Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
7. Expertise in social media conversions
A skill on a resumé that makes me excited is when I see someone with expertise in social media marketing who promotes conversions. Social media has changed considerably; there are tons of platforms and ways to advertise, all targeting different customer groups. Having someone who can move through that effectively and bring in conversions is important today. —Baruch Labunski, Rank Secure
8. Ongoing professional development
One thing that might make me excited to bring a job candidate in for an interview is evidence of continuous learning and professional development, such as relevant certifications or courses. This demonstrates the candidate's commitment to staying updated in their field and acquiring new skills, which is essential in today's rapidly evolving job market. —Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
9. Clearly demonstrating how they are a right fit for the job
One thing that excites me the most while going through a candidate's resumé is how they've presented themselves. A resumé is like a sales pitch. So, it should be well-thought-out and backed by research. Job descriptions generally give candidates some sort of idea about the candidate profile that the company seeks. So, the resumé should focus on what makes the candidate the right fit for the job. —Chris Klosowski, Easy Digital Downloads
10. Quantifiable achievements and results
One thing that would excite me to bring a job candidate in for an interview is seeing a consistent track record of quantifiable achievements and results in their previous roles. It underscores their goal-oriented mindset, indicating that they understand the importance of setting and achieving objectives. —Thomas Smale, FE International
11. Work references
When I'm reviewing applications, I always look for work references. You'd be surprised how many people think including their best friends or siblings in this box is a good idea. I'm much more likely to hire someone if they include on their application their previous boss or team lead. One professional reference tells me more than 10 references from friends or family. —Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights
12. Involvement in competitive athletics
Competitive athletics is one thing that can make a job candidate's resumé stand out and generate excitement among employers when considering them for an interview. This is because participation in competitive sports demonstrates a range of valuable skills and qualities that are highly sought after in the workplace, including dedication, teamwork, goal-setting, time management, and self-motivation. —Eddie Lou, CodaPet
13. Personal projects
I love to see personal projects on a candidate's resumé. These could be a personal blog, an e-book they published on Gumroad, a free tool they built on a public repository, or something else. A personal project is often driven by passion, and it shows that they're self-driven and action-oriented. I also get to learn a lot about the person, which makes me eager to interview them. —Blair Williams, MemberPress
