A resume is a crucial document for job seekers as it is the first chance for them to present themselves to potential employers. Hiring managers and recruiters usually only spend a few seconds reviewing a resume, so it is important to make the most of this opportunity. A well-written resume can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your earning potential by 7%, according to research from Zippia. On the other hand, a poorly written resume can eliminate you from consideration for a job. Therefore, it is essential to put effort into crafting a strong and effective resume.
Keep it short and simple
One of the most important principles of writing a resume is to keep it brief and focused. As a general rule, a resume should be no longer than one page, unless you have an extensive career or a significant amount of highly relevant work experience. To keep your resume concise, consider including only your most recent and relevant experiences. It is typically recommended to include jobs from the past 10-15 years, although this time frame may be shorter for those who are just starting their careers. Including too many unrelated work experiences can make your resume cluttered and distract from your relevant qualifications. The key is to create a focused, clear, and concise resume.
Show Your skills
It is helpful to include specific, quantifiable achievements when describing your work experience in your resume. This can help demonstrate the impact you had in your previous positions and give a clear sense of your capabilities to the hiring manager or recruiter. Using metrics can also help highlight your successes. For example, a sales representative might mention that they “made 50 cold calls daily, with a 5% conversion rate on average.” This helps to provide concrete evidence of their skills and achievements.
It is not effective to use the same resume for every job you apply for. Instead, it is important to tailor your resume to the specific job you are seeking. This means prioritizing the skills, qualifications, and experiences that are directly relevant to the job. To do this, select three or four former positions or experiences that best showcase the skills required for the position you are applying for. Employers value concise, relevant information, so it is not necessary to include every job you have ever held. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position, you could highlight your retail experience and list the communication, branding, and interpersonal skills you gained from that job.
Think outside the box
When writing your resume, it is important to focus on specific achievements and results rather than just listing your job duties. Hiring managers want to see concrete examples of how you made a difference in previous positions, and how you can do the same in this new role. It is more engaging to read about specific, quantifiable accomplishments such as “reducing operating expenses by 23% in six months” rather than just stating that you have “30 years of sales experience.” When deciding what information to include in your resume, prioritize concrete results and achievements over abstract traits and qualifications.
In addition to highlighting your accomplishments, it is also important to include a skills section in your resume. This is a good place to list any industry-relevant software or programs you are proficient in, and to mention examples of your emotional intelligence and soft skills such as self-awareness, empathy, work ethic, and reliability. By showcasing your skills and accomplishments, you can demonstrate your enthusiasm for your career and show that you are a motivated, results-driven employee.
Social Media accounts
Including links to your social media profiles on your resume can be beneficial, as many hiring managers today screen candidates on social networks. If your social media accounts contain professional posts related to your industry, it can show that you have a strong network and are up to date with modern marketing and communication practices. It can also demonstrate your interest in staying current and learning more about your field. LinkedIn, Twitter, and a blog can be useful social media platforms to include on your resume, especially if they highlight your experience and position as an expert in your field. However, it is important to ensure that your social media profiles are professional and relevant, and to set any non-professional profiles to private if you choose not to include them on your resume.
Proof-Reading Your Resume
To make a positive first impression with potential employers, it is important to ensure that your resume is polished and free of errors. In a competitive job market, even a small mistake on your resume could disqualify you from consideration. To avoid mistakes, follow these tips:
- Reread your document and pay close attention to spelling and grammar.
- Use a spell check tool, but be sure to check its suggested corrections to ensure they are accurate.
- Read your resume out loud to catch any errors that you might have missed.
- Ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your resume and catch any errors that you might have missed.
