A well-written, professional-looking resume is the most powerful asset in your job search. Technological advancements are revolutionizing the recruitment process, but the humble resume is still the key to getting noticed by recruiters. A great CV showcases your skills and achievements, showing how you’re a good fit for the role in a concise, readable format.
While writing a tailored resume for every application can be time-consuming, there are now a wealth of tools to help you create a compelling resume that makes a strong impression with employers. Resume apps can make the process of crafting a resume quick, easy and stress-free. Let’s take a look at how and why a resume could enhance your job applications, with some key tips for making the most of the features on offer.
What is a resume app?
A resume app is a smartphone app that helps you create a resume for your job applications. Resume apps typically offer users a choice of templates and layouts, with options to customize the look and feel of their resume. Other features tend to include simple text boxes for inputting content, while some apps provide AI assistance to help populate, edit and improve the written content of the document. After creating your resume, apps allow you to download your professional resume and use it for your applications.
What are the benefits of using a resume app?
A resume app takes the hassle away from resume writing and allows you to quickly and easily produce a professional resume that catches the eye of recruiters and hiring managers. You don’t need to be a graphic designer to use the design elements and resume layouts offered by resume maker apps. As such, you can focus on writing the best content possible, and let the resume app do the hard work of making your resume look appealing to recruiters.
Top 5 tips for using a resume app for your job applications
If you’re thinking of using a resume app to help with your job applications, take a look at these top five tips for getting the most out of the app, and creating a resume that impresses employers:
1. Choose a template that suits your style, industry and career
Resume apps tend to offer a host of well-designed resume templates with simple, attractive design elements that help your content stand out. Resume templates make it easy to improve the look of your resume without any design experience or expertise. However, it’s still important to choose a template that matches your personal style, and that’s appropriate to the role you’re applying for. Think about the type of industry you’re applying to work in, as well as your career stage, and choose a layout and design that fits with industry norms.
2. Use custom sections
While resume apps typically offer a standard set of sections for your content, it’s worth thinking outside the box and adding custom sections where necessary. Custom sections can help your skills and achievements stand out beyond the confines of the traditional resume sections, such as work experience, education and skills. Consider adding certifications, hobbies and interests, internships, extracurricular activities or a list of key projects or achievements — whatever sections best showcase the key skills listed in the job description.
3. Edit the layout and design
The design of your resume doesn’t necessarily stop at choosing a suitable template. Most resume apps will allow you to customize your design by picking from a range of fonts, colors and design elements. Tweaking your resume design with these options will really help it to stand out from other applications, and give your resume a personal touch. You may also wish to rearrange the sections of your resume to showcase your skills and qualities, depending on your career stage and expertise.
4. Create multiple versions
Resume apps have made it easier than ever to create a classy resume that engages the reader and sets you apart from other candidates. As such, there’s no excuse for not creating multiple resumes that are tailored to specific roles, industries and seniority levels. You may wish to create a base resume that you use as a starting point for each individual job application, or generate resumes with different content and sections, depending on the type of role you’re applying for. Resume apps make it simple to organize your resumes and tailor your approach to each application.
5. Use AI-powered features
Many resume apps now feature AI, adding powerful features to instantly improve your applications. AI tools can generate new resume content and sections based on content you’ve already added, or they can enhance your existing resume, making it more concise, impactful and suitable for the role you’re applying for. Input your skills, achievements and career history and let AI make suggestions that could give your applications a better chance of success.
In summary: should you use a resume app for your applications?
Smartphone resume apps are just one of the digital tools that are transforming the job search process. If you want to gain an edge in your applications, it’s worth considering any tools and resources to enhance your resume, craft a compelling cover letter or prepare you for an interview. Jobseeker offers a comprehensive resume app that can help you to create a professional resume in minutes. Download the Jobseeker resume app and sign up to start creating your winning job application today.
