You need to clearly define why you are the right candidate for the job. Writing a superb resume isn’t always easy, though. To write something convincing, you might need some help.
Here is how to write a winning resume.
The Right Length
Your resume needs to be the appropriate length.
Too long and you risk boring the person responsible for hiring, too short and you may never capture their attention. The sweet spot for most resumes is one page, but two can be acceptable if necessary if it qualifies as a CV.
A resume should contain all of the crucial information while maintaining as short a length as possible. This can difficult, but there are a few tricks you can use to keep the information on one page. For example, you might decide to use slightly larger margins or smaller font to keep the information on one page.
Keep in mind that recruiters and managers will have dozens or even hundreds of resumes to sift through. Hit the sweet spot with length so that yours has a better chance of making the cut.
Thoughtful Layout
Another huge issue plaguing resumes is the layout. Nobody wants to read a wall of text, and recruiters simply won’t do it. If your resume has a poor layout that makes it difficult to read, it’s unlikely to get any attention.
Consider this:
When sorting through resumes and deciding which to take a closer look at, recruiters and hiring managers typically review each one for less than 10 seconds. That’s not much time to make a first impression, so what can you do?
Here are a few layout tips:
- Use clear and concise headings. Identify what each section of your resume is referring to. This helps inform the reader that you have included the essential information
- Use bold and italics appropriately. Bold all of your headings, and use italics to guide the readers eye to important sections. But don’t overdo it.
- Make use of bullet points. Lists are easier to scan and are a great way to share information.
Finally, look over your resume and think critically. Is it easy to scan for key information, or does it need work?
Highlight Your Accomplishments
Job descriptions are boring.
Most recruiters or hiring managers are going to be familiar with what your duties at a particular job were. What they want to know is what you accomplished. Focus on what you did, not specifically what your job was.
Start with a short description of the position and then list accomplishments. Always consider the benefit of what you are describing as an accomplishment – in what way did it help your company? The person responsible for hiring wants to know why they should bring you onto the team. Show them.
Clear Direction
Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for.
Designer resumes, for example, tend to be more creative with less stringent guidelines. An engineer on the other hand, will need something more serious in tone.
Before you create your resume, look at a few examples within your industry. Make sure your resume falls in line with any industry standards.
Review, Revise, Repeat
Grammar is HUGE for recruiters and hiring managers.
Something as silly as a careless typo can be the difference between employment and a continuing job search. Like it or not, conclusions will be drawn about you as an employee and as a person based on your resume’s grammar.
Frequent misspellings and errors don’t look good, and they certainly don’t help your chances. In fact, your resume should be grammatically flawless.
Follow These Essential Tips for Writing the Best Resume
It is usually a good idea to have someone look over and edit your resume. It can be difficult to locate stupid mistakes when you write AND edit. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Extended learning and continuing education can also bolster your resume and make landing your ideal job more likely. Visit Stratford Career Institute’s website to review options for distance learning that can enhance your career potential.
An outstanding resume is often the difference between obtaining the job you want and settling for something less or remaining unemployed. Take your time, research, and write a high-quality resume to improve your chances of landing your dream job.
RATE THIS POST
Loading...Take Your Career to the Next Level
A distance learning course from Stratford can be the perfect addition to your resume. Request more info or sign up today!