Tips for Writing a Better Resume
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What You Need to Know About Resumes!
Tips for Writing a Better Resume
Use these simple tips to prepare your CV to be more attractive. A good resume can make the difference between being offered the job you want or not, so it’s important to spend time on it to create the best possible result. Follow this CV preparation guide step-by-step and you’ll be well on your way to getting that dream job!
What should be included in a resume
There are many resume formats, and it’s important to select the format that will best highlight your strengths. There are general resume formats that anyone can use, or you can use an individualized resume format to highlight your experience, education and accomplishments. When developing your resume, start by identifying which format you want to use. The main types of resumes are functional, chronological and combination.
Make it in order
The vast majority of CVs are presented in chronological order, which can make it difficult for recruiters to see how your skills translate from one position to the next. To create an easier-to-navigate CV format, we recommend separating work experience by task, then putting them into tabs under your personal information and education. This way you can show off your skills in a way that’s meaningful for both you and potential employers.
Keep it Simple
The first step in preparing your CV is deciding what type of format you will use.
These are the common CV formats that are used today:
· One page resume with complete contact information. This format can be copied and emailed without attachments.
· One page resume without contact information. This format is for candidates who want to build their own website with an up-to-date email address on it, or for someone who does not want people to know where they live. The contact information can be listed separately on the top or bottom of the CV.
· Two page resume with complete contact information This CV is used when there is more than 10 years of work experience, resumes need significant formatting changes or there are achievements or awards.
Use Keywords
Preparing a CV or resume is an important part of the job application process, and it can also provide you with an opportunity to improve your CV format. A well-designed CV will typically include the following sections: personal details, education, work experience and interests, professional membership, languages spoken and contact information. Be sure that all contact information is in plain sight, as recruiters may only read half of the document before making a decision on whether or not they want to speak with you for more details. Put your name at the top of the page and be sure to use spell check! Your address should also be included at this time.
Formatting Dos and Don’ts
Before you start putting your CV together, take some time to get it right. Keep in mind that most HR managers and recruiters only spend up to 20 seconds looking at a resume before they decide whether they will read more or not. Given this information, we need to make sure that the first few lines are able to sell our skills in a way that makes them hard for an employer not want to read more. One way of achieving this is through the use of an infographic. Infographics can be created by breaking down information into eye-catching and memorable visuals, so there are plenty of reasons for them being perfect for resumes too! Below you’ll find two infographics with tips on how you can create your own infographic CV too!
Name, Address, Phone Number and Email Section
Your name, address, phone number, and email address should be listed in the top right-hand corner of your resume. Your name and contact information should be bold and in all caps. The rest of the text should be regular.
In the event that you don’t have your own personal email or if you share it with someone else, be sure to include their addresses as well. Having both personal and work email addresses ensures that you will have more chances for feedback throughout your job search.
Education Section
Education should always be listed at the top of your CV. If you are not a high school graduate, list what level of education you have attained and any honors or special classes you completed. You can either choose not to include your elementary or middle school if it was more than five years ago, or list it in detail as an Additional Information section under Education. It is also important that before entering any major accomplishments, they should be related to the job you are applying for.
Work Experience Section
It is common for us to dread this particular part of the resume preparation process, but it is crucial to spend time on it and be sure you have it well prepared for interviews. You should start your response by describing your company and where you worked (e.g., which department). The following sentence should describe your tasks and how they related to the description of your role, but do not simply say I did them. Be sure to quantify your role’s success with numbers or metrics if possible (e.g., I increased sales by 50%). Next, reference your accomplishments that are measurable and explain how they contributed to your previous employer’s business.
Additional Skills Section
In your career, you may have not been involved in any roles that align with the job description or it might be difficult for the hiring manager to see your best skills due to too many unrelated tasks. What you should do is list all of your previous positions on the top line and under each one list two-three skills applicable to this position. Another suggestion is adding Other Skills and then listing things that are not relevant for the job description. By doing this, the hiring manager will see all of your skills without having any bias towards ones that don’t match up with their needs.
Professional Training
As the first thing that most employers will see on your resume, make sure you put in the date of your degree or certification and major. You should also include any relevant coursework, internships, and other work experience. Additionally, you should note anything that would qualify you for the position such as skills with certain software programs.