Creating an effective resume can be difficult. What font should you use? Is all your work history relevant? Should you list references or note that they’re available upon request? Every job seeker, at some point in his or her career, has wondered how to write a resume that stands out from the crowd.
While most resume formats depend on personal preference and profession, here are some best practices to help you refresh (or rewrite) yours.
Start from the top
It’s a simple rule of thumb, but many job seekers today miss this one simple step: Have your name and contact information clearly visible at the top of your resume. It’s best to have your phone number and email — your address and a picture aren’t necessary. But your name and contact info should always get top billing!
Keep it short. Keep it simple.
Keep your resume between one to two pages, depending on your experience. List all the relevant experience you have for the job you’re applying for, but as you’re writing your resume, keep it within the previous 15 years.
Speaking of experience, what do you put there?
When listing your experience, make sure to clearly display position, company, date, and location. Break down the important tasks you completed in each position in at least three to five bullet points. And if possible, include tangible results (i.e. numbers such as percentages) that show the positive impact you made it all your positions. Also, brag about yourself! List any awards and promotions you’ve earned so that future employers can see how you’ve grown. If you have multiple relevant experience sections, list them reverse chronologically (most recent first).
Education is important!
Educational accomplishments are so valuable! If you completed high school and decided not to pursue secondary education, list your high school education and graduation year. If you went on to college and beyond, feel free to remove your high school education. If you completed college, there’s no need to list your GPA, but listing relevant activities and minors can work in your favor.
Skills. Skills. Skills.
Quality over quantity. Make sure the skills section of your resume fits the job you’re applying for. For instance, for an accounting job, list valuable skills mentioned in the application, like proficiency in specific accounting software; for a marketing position, accounting software isn’t as important as other skills like search engine optimization, for example. Know the job you’re applying for, know the skills you possess that make you a perfect fit, and write those into your resume.
Now, use that updated resume to land an interview where you can show your sparkle
By following these helpful tips on how to write a resume that shines, you’re sure to get your foot in the door and land that job you’ve been hoping for. But there is one important step between your application and your first day – and that’s the interview.
Many companies are now using web-based interviews to find the ideal applicant (you!). If you need help prepping for yours, be sure and follow these tips to ace your next video job interview.
Good luck!
