Every employer’s priority whenever there is a job vacancy is to find the most suitable candidate to fill the role. Their recruiters go through several resumes from job seekers to pick a handful to progress to the interview stage. Those who are chosen have the most relevant work experience that fits the employer’s criteria. So, what does relevant work experience mean from a recruiter’s perspective? In this article, we will explore what it means and how you can make your resume stand out from the competition by making it as relevant as possible to your potential employer.
What Is Relevant Work Experience?
Relevant work experience is any professional experience that makes you qualified for a certain role. In other words, the skills, knowledge, and expertise gained through education, employment, volunteering, and other activities that directly qualify you for a specific role. Whenever companies are asking for candidates with relevant work experience, they want people who have the know-how to fulfil the tasks the job requires.
How Recruiters Determine Who Has Relevant Experience?
Recruiters are primarily interested in how your experiences align with the needs and expectations of the position you’re applying for. They focus on how you can directly contribute to the success of the role and the organisation as a whole. Here are a few ways they can tell if your experience is relevant.
1. Does Your Work Experience Demonstrate a Track Record of Success in Similar Roles or Environments?
Recruiters prioritise achievements over responsibilities. Have you ever successfully been able to accomplish similar tasks to what the job requires? If yes, you’re already ahead of most of your competition. This is why it is important to highlight all your skills and achievements that are relevant to the job. Highlight tangible accomplishments, such as exceeding targets, leading successful projects, or implementing innovative solutions.
2. Do You Emphasise The Most Relevant Parts Of Your Work?
Recruiters are only interested in your experiences that match the job criteria. This is why it is important to take out all irrelevant experiences when you’re applying to a new field. You can restructure your resume by strategically aligning your experiences with the requirements of the role. You can do this by showcasing how your volunteer work, internships, freelance projects, and even personal projects have equipped you with the skills and expertise necessary to thrive in the role you’re pursuing.
3. Do You Incorporate Relevant Keywords And Format Your CV?
Some recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)[1] to make sorting through several applications much easier. This is why you must use relevant keywords in your resume. You may have relevant work experience but if you fail to use the right keywords and format your resume the right way, you will not get noticed by recruiters.
4. Do You List Transferable Skills In Your Resume?
Relevant work experience goes beyond the surface level of job titles and duties. This is why it’s important to include soft skills in your resume. Soft skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, problem-solving, creativity, and attention to detail are universally valuable. Recruiters keep an eye out for those in your resume.
Works Cited
Glassdoor. “Understanding What Relevant Experience Means.” Glassdoor, 29 June 2021, https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/guide/what-does-relevant-experience-mean/#Tips_for_listing_relevant_experience_on_a_resume. Accessed 29 April 2024.
Howington, Jessica. “How to Demonstrate Relevant Experience: Definition & Resume Example.” FlexJobs, https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/relevant-career-experience/. Accessed 29 April 2024.
Indeed. “What Is Relevant Experience? Definition and Examples For Resumes.” Indeed, 10 March 2023, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/relevant-experience. Accessed 29 April 2024.