Why Properly Naming Your Resume Matters?

You have the experience nailed and a professional resume written. Now, here’s the scoop on how to break through the competition.

Securing a job is no easy feat. So, if there’s something you can do to break though competitor job applications and get noticed wouldn’t you want to get on board?

Many job seekers would have heard about how to prepare a resume, whether that be done yourself or through a resume writing service, how to conduct yourself at an interview, and other job-seeking tips. But, how many people are told about the importance of naming a resume too?

Why is naming a resume properly so important?

Recruiters see a tonne of resumes every day. And here’s the hot tip – they don’t really like guessing games. Putting all your time and effort into perfecting your skills and experience on paper could all be effort wasted if you neglect to name your resume properly.

Picture this.

Your professionally written, job-ready resume just lands in the inbox of a recruiter at a top-tier recruitment agency. But, he hasn’t only received your resume this morning. In fact, when he logged on today he had 20 other resumes which had arrived.

The same agent is under pressure to fill a marketing role, he is time poor and needs results. So, he browses the database, and those fresh applications received to search for suitable marketing candidates. What is the first thing he looks for? File names which tell him the profession! A file name like ‘John’s Resume’ is not going to get a look in when there are others which clearly state “marketing recruit”.

The secret to getting you noticed for what you want to be noticed is a properly named resume.

So, here’s how to name a resume properly

Naming a resume is all about making it simplified for the person receiving it. Give them an insight into the information they seek before they even open your file. Here are the basics on how to do it effectively.

1. Your name – include your name at the start
2. Your profession – include your area of speciality, if not the exact job you are applying for
3. Conclude – conclude with what the file is, e.g. a resume

Avoid the overuse of CAPITAL letters. Don’t abbreviate anything or use jargon that does not make sense. Keep it simple and to the point.

Resume file name example: John Smith Marketing Resume.pdf

Full name, followed by the profession, then stating what the file is.

Consider your resume filename just as important as the resume itself.  When saving your resume, convert it to a document like an Adobe PDF so it can be viewed on multiple platforms.

When you go to the effort to send off an electronic resume ensure your file name does your brand justice too. Once you have perfected this basic, yet vitally important part of your job search process you can then focus on the bigger picture at hand.

Need help preparing a professional resume, addressing selection criteria or setting up a well-rounded and effective LinkedIn profile, our team at Resumes To You can help.

Visit www.resumestoyou.com.au to learn more or connect with Resumes To You on LinkedIn or Facebook.