We know psychology as the study of behavior and mind; but do you know that it can also help you get your dream job? Psychologists reveal how to write a standout resume that will increase the likelihood of being shortlisted for an interview.
Quantify the results of your efforts
It is easy to plot a lot of responsibilities. Everybody holding similar position do the same tasks anyway. So, how do you stand out? One way is to personalize the tasks by quantifying the results you achieved.
For example, you do not simply state that as a customer service representative, you handled customer complaints and issues.
Quantify your tasks by stating how many customers you usually help on a weekly basis.
Example: Handled an average of 20 customer complaints weekly
If you have worked as a financial consultant, how much money does a typical contract involves? Give an estimate.
Example: Signed for financial consultation contract involving a $150,000 worth of project.
If you were a personal tutor, how many students have you taught? You may give the total number or divide on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Example:Taught at least five ESL students per session.
According to Aristotle, there are three pillars to persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos. Logos refer to logic, evidence, and fact. You should include numbers in your resume because these serve as logical evidence and fact.
Show Competition
It is tempting to impress potential employers with a long list of awards and achievements. However, these achievements make no sense to them if they are not familiar with the award. Rather than describing the award, make it more compelling by simply adding numbers to show competition.
If you won a completion, how many competed against you?
Example: Awarded “employee of the month” for three consecutive months out of 100 employees
If your proposal was chosen for a business venture, how many proposals were chosen?
Example: Awarded Start-Up Grant for “Best Small Business Proposal” by Company ABC (selects only 3 proposals every year)
The reason for this is what psychologists refer to as “social proof” as a powerful principle of influence. By showing how coveted your accomplishments are, you will surely standout from the rest.
Associate with the Popular Brand
You are lucky if you previously worked for any of the Fortune 500 companies. Otherwise, you do not have to actually work for these popular brands in order to associate yourself with them.
Maybe you have worked with these companies as clients.
Example: Worked as a coordinator of an event by Microsoft
Maybe you have worked with their associates.
Example: Designed the website of Lopez Foods, McDonald’s supplier of beef patties.
Well-known companies will make your resume shine in the eyes of the resume reviewer. The reason for this is explained by the psychologists as authority, one important principle of influence.
If you can incorporate these three steps on your resume, you make the most out of the principles explained by psychologists about persuasion and influence. After this, you are surely on the next step to your dream job.
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