It is no secret the economy is struggling. We are in the midst of an economic contraction that has the potential to last several years or longer. The competition for open positions has never been more fierce. If you are looking for work, your resume must stand out from the rest for the open position.

However, if you are like most people, you understandably have little or no idea how to distinguish your resume from those submitted by other applicants. Here’s how to do it.

Create Relevant Resumes for Each Position You Apply To

It simply does not make sense to submit the same resume for every single position you apply for. The resume you submit for each open position should be tailored to the responsibilities of that specific role. Zero in on the skills, education, experiences, and other accomplishments that are most relevant to the open position, and you will stand a much better chance of receiving an interview invitation and job offer.

It even makes sense to tailor the language of your cover letter to the open position’s duties. The hiring manager will certainly appreciate your willingness to study the company and the open role and alter your resume and cover letter accordingly

Add Your Unique Skills/Experiences

Take a moment to think about how your nuanced skills, experiences, education, and talents apply to the open position. Weave these merits into your resume in an artful manner, and the hiring manager will be able to picture you making meaningful contributions to the company after you are hired for the open role.

Highlight your relevant skills, relevant prior jobs, and responsibilities, so the hiring manager understands you are a suitable fit for the position. The focus on these specific skills has the potential to separate you from the rest of the applicants, maximizing the chances of landing an interview and possibly even a job offer.

Video CV and Multimedia Resumes Work for Different Roles

It is in your interest to submit your resume and CV in video form regardless of the job opening you are applying for. A multimedia resume is suitable for all roles and industries. The magic of a video resume is its ability to highlight your experience, skills, and abilities in a manner that cannot present on paper or through a resume attached as a Microsoft Word document.

There is a good chance your video resume will be the only multimedia resume submitted or one of a few. This means your video resume will grab the hiring manager’s attention, creating a truly indelible initial impression that dramatically increases the chances of landing an interview and a job offer.

Be sure to sweat the small stuff of your video resume to ensure it is absolutely perfect. Even if you have to record several video resumes, doing so is in your interest as the perfect final take will present you in the best possible light in front of the hiring manager.

Use the Same Language as the Job Ad

Review the job ad several times over to pick up on the subtleties of the language used. Take notes while reviewing the job description. Weave these buzzwords into your video resume in an artful manner, and you will catch the hiring manager’s attention.

In fact, it even makes sense to incorporate the same language used in the job description right off the bat, possibly within the first 20 to 30 seconds of the video resume. The use of these keywords and other languages relevant to the open position as well as the industry as a whole makes it clear you read the job description in-depth, are skilled with words, and are a suitable fit for the open position.

Be Succinct

Get to the point with your video resume right off the bat. There is no need for your video resume to drag on beyond a couple of minutes. Be clear and concise, seizing the opportunity to explain exactly what makes you different from the rest of the candidates.

Do not provide one detail after another about your professional experience and education. Instead, it is in your interest to err on the side of brevity as opposed to an abundance of information.

The worst mistake you can make with your video resume is repeating yourself and providing unnecessary fluff that does not relate to the open position or the company as a whole. Do your research, plan your video resume, rehearse your script and use your time wisely. Keep in mind, most hiring managers are unwilling to listen or watch video resumes that extend beyond a couple of minutes.

You run the risk of losing the hiring manager’s attention if your video resume extends beyond this amount of time, so be sure to touch on your most significant strengths. Those relative to the open position right off the bat, making a meaningful first impression that hooks the hiring manager and encourages him or her to continue listening for the next minute or two of your video resume.

Sweat the Small Stuff

The details of your video resume are of the utmost importance. Review the entirety of your video resume and CV several times over to ensure every last detail is just right. There should not be a single err in these materials.

Your video resume should be focused, easy to understand, and tailored to the open role. Keep in mind that hiring managers will zero in on every last detail of your video resume, meaning even the slightest mistake has the potential to ruin your chances of landing the job.

There is no harm in asking a colleague, mentor, friend, or family member to review your video resume. This individual’s fresh perspective just might help you improve your video resume to the point that it makes the difference between the hiring manager quickly closing it out in favor of another candidate’s resume and making an impactful first impression that leads to an interview.