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Forbes
26-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
4 Things That Don't Appear On Your Resume But Get You Hired
A strong resume helps. But it's not the whole picture. By now, you might already know that you shouldn't include a career objective or a lovely headshot when drafting your resume. Instead, you'll want to highlight your professional qualifications and relevant skills directly to be shortlisted and hopefully get the job. Although you can only put limited information in your resume, what doesn't make the cut can be just as important. Here are four things that employers don't usually find on your resume but get you hired. Proactiveness According to StandOut CV, it takes 27 applications to get one interview and 162 job applications to secure a job. So, spontaneously sending hundreds of applications to companies and simply waiting for them to contact you isn't a strategy that works. Staying proactive, from your job search to the interview and even afterward, will make all the difference. Take time to modify your resume based on the role and company you're applying for. By reading the job description thoroughly, you can insert the right keywords in your resume so the applicant tracking system (ATS) can easily find you. Look beyond job postings as well. Some companies don't advertise their job openings, so ask around. If you have a specific company in mind, don't stop simply because there are no career opportunities available. You can send an email to show your interest. They might remember you and reach out should there be an opening. While you're in job-hunting mode, learn new skills to be more ready when the right opportunity comes. After every job interview, make sure to follow up and send a thank-you note. Proactiveness as a work ethic can lead to long-term growth in your career. Your Network Apart from your skills and work experience, you'll need a solid network to increase your chances of getting hired. Start with your family, friends, and even neighbors. Stay in touch with your high school or college classmates, colleagues, and former bosses. Even if they can't recommend a job for you, they might know someone who can. According to a CNBC report, 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections. So, maximize your time by attending networking events. For example, if you're pursuing a career in tech, don't miss tech conferences, workshops, and even local meetups. Join tech communities and contribute to the discussions. As you expand your network and gain valuable insights, you'll also be closer to scoring a promising job. Creativity Your resume might not be able to fully capture how creative or how much of an asset you are to a company. But this will reflect throughout your application. For example, in your resume, you can say, 'Revamped new hires' training materials by providing simplified maps and interactive quizzes, increasing retention and team productivity.' During the interview, you can expand on how you identified previous pain points and the things your team achieved with your solution. You can also showcase your creativity through your portfolio. If you're a graphic designer or a digital marketing manager, choose pieces that highlight your versatility, expertise in different platforms, and experience with various industries. You can include numbers and real results, such as in engagements and conversions. This way, the company gets a glimpse of the value you bring and why they should hire you. LinkedIn Profile Nearly 70 million companies are on LinkedIn, and every year, over three million get hired on the platform. And an optimized LinkedIn profile is a huge factor in securing a role. That's why I often emphasize the need for a direct and killer headline. In fact, it can lead to a 43% increase in profile views. Remember this formula: Current Title / Key Skills and Industry Keywords / Big Career Win If you're a social media manager, you can format your headline this way: Social Media Manager | Creating Viral Content and Driving Brand Growth | Increased Engagement on TikTok and Instagram by 300% Your summary section should also provide an overview of your professional journey, highlighting your expertise, passion, and ability to deliver measurable results. And go add in your email address so recruiters can reach out! You may not be able to present everything on your resume to secure a position, but each stage of your job hunt and even beyond that is just as crucial. Be proactive and creative, build connections, and don't forget to update your LinkedIn profile. By going the extra mile and staying visible, you'll land the role you deserve. Rooting for you!
Forbes
22-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Looks Matter In Leadership. Here's Why That's Not Superficial
Life offers a series of uncomfortable truths, often rooted not in surface-level perception but in our deeper human wiring. One of those truths is that appearance still matters. Whether we're talking about economic, social, or political advantage, there's long been an undercurrent of belief in what's known as "pretty privilege" or beauty bias. In 2025, discussing appearance and leadership in the same breath may seem outdated or offensive. We live in a time of heightened sensitivity, swift backlash, and disagreement often met with protest or cancellation. But here's the truth: how you show up still matters, and the data backs it up. A workplace survey conducted by StandOut CV in 2025 revealed a compelling trend: individuals who rated themselves as extremely attractive earned, on average, $19,945 more than those who rated themselves as unattractive. Even more telling, 71% of CEOs rated themselves a 9 or 10 out of 10, more than double the general population. Is this just about good-looking people getting a free pass? Or is appearance a proxy for something deeper: discipline, presence, intentionality, and commitment to excellence? Let's set aside the small minority of individuals born with standout genetics. For everyone else, appearance, especially in leadership, is less about vanity and more about values. Your physical presence can be visible proof of traits like discipline, attention to detail, a willingness to delay gratification, and high personal standards. These qualities, when cultivated consistently, naturally elevate your presence and aura. Studies have consistently shown links between physical appearance and professional outcomes. For instance, research in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that someone six feet tall earns nearly $166,000 more over a 30-year career than someone 5'5", even when controlling for gender, age, and weight. Each additional inch of height was associated with $789 more per year. But "pretty privilege" isn't always about being born with ideal features. A study published in Personnel Psychology had managers evaluate 300 mock elevator pitches. The more attractive individuals were deemed more hirable, but not simply because of their looks. What made the difference was nonverbal presence. Interestingly, even those rated lower on attractiveness gained similar influence by improving their posture, proving that executive presence isn't just for those rated high in innate attractiveness. In the StandOut CV study, 83.4% of respondents said people who invest in their appearance are perceived as more competent or professional. In today's world, where many standards have relaxed, appearance has become shorthand for consistency and care. Visual signals cut through noise and suggest reliability in a world of increasingly scarce attention. A leader's best investment is in themselves—physically, mentally, and professionally. Your body, mind, and presence aren't secondary assets in your leadership portfolio; they're primary assets. And yet, this comes with pressure. According to the StandOut CV report: But creating your own "beauty bias" isn't about following transient trends or trying to be someone else. It's about being intentional. It's about aligning your outer presentation with your inner standards so that what people see matches who you are. People trust those who show up with care because it suggests they'll likely bring the same care to their work. If you're looking to elevate your leadership and overall presence, start creating your own bias with the habits below: Workplace bias is real, especially when people are penalized for their race, hair texture, or failure to fit narrow norms. At the same time, 55.7% of respondents said they've downplayed their looks just to be taken seriously. Both extremes are problems. The key is intentionality, not conformity, and certainly not performative perfection. Appearance isn't everything, but it is something. It sends a message before you say a word. Self-care, fitness, and presentation aren't vanity metrics. These tools are strategic levers for elevating your leadership. In a competitive world where margins are razor thin, intangibles—like presence—can create meaningful separation. It may be an uncomfortable truth for some, but it remains true: appearance matters in leadership. Far from being superficial, it reflects how you think, live, and lead.
