In today’s job market, having a well crafted resume is essential to stand out among the competition. A resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, so it’s important to make it count. Here are 16 resume writing tips to help you create a winning document.
Tailor your resume to each job – Before you start writing your resume, review the job description to identify the key skills and qualifications required for the position. Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experience and achievements that match the job requirements.
Choose an easy to read format – Use a clean and simple format that’s easy to read. Use bullet points and clear headings to make your resume easy to navigate. Also make sure to use either a .docx or pdf format.
Use keywords – Many employers use applicant tracking systems to scan resumes for relevant keywords. Use keywords from the job description to increase your chances of getting past the initial screening. Balance this though by not overloading your resume. Further on in the process actual people will be reading this, so don’t include an entire page of keywords. Use them judiciously.
Include a summary statement – Use a summary statement at the top of your resume to highlight your skills and experience. Keep it brief and to the point. No more than 2 paragraphs. Think of your resume as valuable real estate.
Keep it concise – Keep your resume to two pages or less. Focus on your most relevant experience and achievements and avoid including irrelevant information. If you are applying for a job in an office setting there is no need to include your part time high school gig at McDonalds unless you feel it will help you. On my resumes I generally only show the past 8 years or 4 employers but you may need to show more depending on your experience and the job.
Use action verbs – Start each bullet point with an action verb to highlight your accomplishments. Use words like “managed,” “created,” and “achieved” to showcase your skills and achievements.
Quantify your achievements – Use numbers, statistics, and KPIs to highlight your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying you “increased sales,” say you “increased sales by 30% YoY.” Be prepared to talk to these points in the interview as they will likely ask you about them.
Proofread and edit – Proofread your resume carefully for spelling and grammar errors. Ask a friend or colleague to review it as well. Use a text editor or Grammarly to review it for mistakes. The biggest red flag for an interviewer are obsvioud spelling mistakes. (yes that was intentional to illustrate the point)
Use a professional email address – Use a professional email address on your resume. Avoid using a personal email address that’s unprofessional. This should be obvious but I still see emails on resumes like – “hotblondegirl97@yahoo.com“. Email accounts are free! Create a simple easy one with just your name i.e. “firstname.lastname@gmail.com” and include numbers if needed but never use nicknames or try to be cute.
Include relevant extracurricular activities – Include only relevant extracurricular activities, such as volunteering or leadership roles, to showcase your skills and interests.
Keep your formatting consistent – One of the most important resume writing tips is making sure your formatting is consistent throughout your resume. This includes using the same font, font size, and bullet points throughout. Use a professional font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and use a font size between 10-12 points for consistency.
Also use plenty of white space in your resume to make it easy to read and navigate. Avoid cramming too much information onto the page. The more you write the more they will skim.
Don’t include personal information – Do not include personal information such as your age, marital status, or race. This information is not relevant to your qualifications for the job.
Use industry-specific language – Use industry-specific language and terminology to show that you are knowledgeable about the field. Please make sure you are using terminology accurately. Do a quick google check even on terms you feel you know well since you could be wrong.
Consider including a skills section – If you have relevant skills that don’t fit neatly into your work experience section, consider creating a separate skills section.
Keep your resume up-to-date – Keep your resume up-to-date with your latest work experience and accomplishments. Update it regularly to ensure that it’s always ready to send out.
Follow up: After submitting your resume, follow up with the employer to show your interest in the position. This can be a simple email or phone call to check on the status of your application.
In conclusion, crafting a winning resume requires careful attention to detail and a focus on highlighting your relevant skills and achievements. By following these resume writing tips, you can create a compelling resume that will help you stand out in today’s competitive job market.