About to write a resume but don’t know where to start? Here is the truth about standing out among the candidates!
Writing a resume is a huge responsibility, and the task can sometimes seem overwhelming, complicated, and confusing. Not quite sure where to start and how to make your resume stand out? Have you had experience of sending out resumes by dozens and not getting a single reply back? Well, now is the time for you to know the truth about writing a perfect resume, and we’re here to help you. Check out these 8 tips to help you next time you have to apply for a new job.
1. Use the Keywords
Not quite sure where to start? Carefully look through the job posting and check for the keywords. Employers will often use them to highlight the specific requirements of a position. The ideal candidate will have these keywords in their resumes, and you should, too. The key skills an employer is looking for in an employee will most often be under the “Requirements,” “Qualifications,” or “Responsibilities” sections, but be sure not to miss all of the other parts as well. Mention the keywords in brief descriptions of your previous work-related experiences, but make sure that your resume is not oversaturated with them.
2. Provide Relevant Information
Of course, you volunteering at a football game back in high school was important for your personal growth, but if you’re applying for a position in accounting, your potential employer will not care about it. Think about your college courses that may be relevant to the position you’re applying for or about previous jobs you may have had. List the most recent experiences at the top and provide the qualifications, which are actually applicable. This will ensure that your potential employer knows what a great candidate you are and that your resume will not be lost among all the other ones.
3. Find Samples
Let’s face it, you are not the first person ever to write a resume, and not the last one. At the time when everything is available on the internet, so are the samples of successful resumes. Some of the best samples may be found on resumewriters com, and make sure to find the ones that are relevant to the field of your professional involvement. What’s the common thing you’ll notice immediately? All of the best resumes are precise and to the point, so there’s no need for you to let your mind wander off. Recruitment managers are very busy people, and by making your resume as concise as possible, you will not only make their job easier but also will stand out among the other candidates. Samples will help you with that.
4. Nothing but the Truth
Sometimes, we all might feel in a mood to present ourselves better than we actually are. While you do not have to mention your GPA in a resume or explain that one-morning lecture you skipped two years ago, lying to a potential employer is never the best option. First, if you are good enough for a position, the truth will get you the job. If you get rejected, there were probably more suitable candidates at the time, or your skills were not the ones a company was looking for. Who knows, the recruiters might save your information for later. Either way, there will be a legitimate explanation. Second, if you lie on a resume and get a job, you might face getting in a lot of trouble. If you’re applying for a company you’d potentially want to work with in the future, do not say you’re fluent in a language you’ve only heard once. Chances are, they will never contact you again.
5. Make it Look Professional
Do you want to be seen as a professional? Make sure that your resume reflects that. This one point could actually be a separate article on its own, but here are the key tips on making your resume look professional. First, make sure that the font is readable. Of course, Comic Sans is fun and cute, but if it is to be used for something, it is not for a job application. 12-point Times New Roman or Arial will usually do the trick, and recruiters will not have trouble going over your resume. Second, divide the resume into sections. Start with a short introductory paragraph about the job you currently have and the one you’re applying for. Then, list your educational and professional background, awards, and any relevant skills separately. Another trick to keep in mind is using numbers. If your productivity can be measured, a potential employer will know for sure how useful you can be for a company.
8. Proofread and Edit
Even if your resume tells all about what an amazing employee you are, typos and grammar mistakes will probably greatly decrease your chances of landing the position you’re applying for. If proper English is not your forte, use the spelling and grammar check tools of your software. However, be sure not to depend on it completely as they might miss a lot of mistakes. Do not use the words you’ve never really heard just to seem smarter than you actually are. If you’re not sure about a word’s definition or proper usage, simply replace it with the one you’re familiar with. Before sitting down to go over your resume, be sure that you’re not in a rush, and nothing’s around to distract you. Proofreading and editing may seem like an extra step in the process of writing a resume, but it actually makes a great difference.
All of these tips are actually quite simple, but the process of writing a resume may seem so overwhelming that you forget everything. The next time you’re applying for a job, go over these suggestions to make sure your resume is as good as it can possibly be. And good luck in the world of job-seeking!
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