How to Make Your UX Resume Stand Out
Tips from Our Founder, Yao Adantor
Let's face it, recruiters are overwhelmed with resumes. They have mere seconds to determine if a candidate is worth their time. It’s a competitive landscape, as our founder, Yao Adantor, often puts it, "It's a jungle out there."
With countless applicants vying for limited positions, your resume needs to be a standout. How can you ensure yours rises above the rest and captures a recruiter's attention in those precious seconds?
Be Specific
Generic statements like "improved user experience" won't cut it. We're talking about quantifiable results. Did you increase conversion rates by 20%? Reduced user drop-off by 15%? Great! That’s the kind of detail that grabs attention.
For instance, instead of saying, "Conducted user research," try, "Conducted usability testing on prototype with 20 participants, identifying 5 key pain points, leading to a 30% increase in task success rate."
Remove Outdated Information:
Update older work experiences and project descriptions to reflect current UX terminology and trends. If you’re a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience, it’s unnecessary to include every detail from your entire career. Focus on the most relevant achievements and roles from the past 5-10 years to highlight your recent expertise and keep your resume concise and impactful.
Keep it Brief
The ability to analyze, simplify, and organize information is a valuable skill. Your resume is your opportunity to showcase this skill by keeping it concise and to the point. Recruiters and hiring managers are busy people. They often have to screen dozens or even hundreds of resumes for a single position. So, help them out by making your resume easy to read and scannable. Get to the point quickly and effectively, highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences.
Don’t Have a Sloppy Layout
A poorly organized resume with misaligned paragraphs or inconsistent section formatting can be a major red flag. Such mistakes not only appear unprofessional but also indicate a lack of attention to detail, which is crucial in UX roles. For instance, if your contact information and job titles are misaligned or if your bullet points are uneven, it’s a surefire way to end up in the discard pile.
Tailor Your Resume to the Job
Every job is different. Customize your resume to match the specific requirements of the role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences. Show the recruiter you've done your homework. If a job posting emphasizes user research, make sure to highlight your research experience prominently.
A lot of people underestimate the importance of reading through a job post before submitting their resume. Your resume is not a one-size-fits-all document. Tailor it to speak directly to the position you're seeking. By doing so, you increase your chances of standing out and landing that dream job.
Also, focus on including only the most relevant information for the position you’re applying for. It’s tempting to list every project or skill, but recruiters are looking for specifics that match the job description. Highlight experiences and skills that directly relate to the job you're seeking, and be strategic about what you leave out.
Tell a Story
Your resume should be a narrative of your career. Highlight key projects, challenges, and solutions. Use storytelling to engage the reader and demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
Example: Instead of listing "Redesigned e-commerce website," say "Revamped e-commerce website for a struggling fashion retailer, increasing sales by 40% in the first quarter through improved product navigation and personalized recommendations."
Keywords Are Your Friends
Research the job description and incorporate relevant keywords into your resume. This will help your resume get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and increase your chances of being seen by a human.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
Typos and grammatical errors are a big no-no. A resume filled with mistakes creates a negative impression. Take the time to proofread carefully, or better yet, ask a friend to review it for you.
76 days to go…….
Remember, your resume is a sales document. You're selling your skills and experience to a potential employer. Make it compelling, specific, and results-oriented.
Best regards,
The RB Team