Graduates and professionals have to write a resume to search for jobs or make a career progression. The tips below help to write a resume that serves the intended purpose.
1. Write Strategic Information
A resume should not list all the things done in life because not all relate to the position that you are pursuing. Add experiences that capture your skills and ability to solve problems because recruiters want people who provide solutions. Tailor headings to group your experiences instead of generic headers like “volunteering.” Headings like “leadership experience” or “training experience” show you have several skills that fit under the heading.
2. Include a Variety of Experiences
Employment in a position relating to the one you are applying for is not the only thing that matters to employers. They want an all-rounder who brings more value than the capacity to do the advertised job. Include information that shows you have more skills that make you a strong personality. Some of the experiences to include are:
• Leadership Positions
• Freelancing
• Internships
• Part-time positions
• Activities in Student Organizations
If the experiences are many, you can include a link to a virtual portfolio, LinkedIn profile, or a professional website. Hiring managers who want to learn more about you will visit the pages.
3. Summarize the Information
You may want to add as many experiences as possible to your resume, but consider recruiters and employers who get many resumes. They cannot read much information and only glance at a few points. Let the information on a page be relevant to the position you are applying for. It draws the attention of employers to the connection. Include keywords compatible with the job description and spread them throughout the resume. The keywords make your resume more visible even if employers scan them electronically. Consider adding your skills summary at the top.
4. Maintain Consistency
Choose a good formatting choice and maintain it throughout the resume. For instance, if you put headers in bold, none should be without bold. Remember to include a title, workplace, location, and year or date range for each position. Consistent formatting conveys professionalism and attention to detail.
5. Use a Professional Font
If you select a clear and simple font, your resume will look more professional. Use a basic font like Time New Roman or Arial. They have been in use for decades, so people view them as a sign of reliability and trustworthiness. The font size should be between 10-12 points. Maintain the attention of the reader by eliminating white space.
6. Proofread
Writing a resume is not just about drafting and sending it to recruiters or employers. You must ensure that it has no errors. Proofreading and editing help to find any mistakes in the content. You also determine if the content is marketing you well enough to grab the readers’ attention. Simple errors on a resume might lock you out of a job because recruiters think you did not think highly of the job, so you wrote a summary quickly at the last minute.
7. Hire a Professional Writing Service
Professional resume writers know how to write resumes that fit well to the expectations of an employer. They build upon information on your current resume to show that you can offer the skills and experience that an employer wants. A professional resume writing service usually knows the hiring process. They use industry knowledge to get the attention of hiring managers and invitation to an interview.