Whether you're graduating and joining the work-force for the first time or searching for new job opportunities later in life, you'll find that your chances of getting noticed by employers are greatly improved if you submit a professional resume.
First, your resume should contain plenty of white space and fit on a single page. Employers are bombarded with hundreds of resumes when they post a position, and you want your resume to stand out. A potential employer should be able to glance over your resume and easily find what type of education you have, what industries you've worked in, and what skills you bring to the table. Also, remember that a tidy, well-written resume suggests what type of employee you'd be. A poorly organized resume filled with spelling errors does the same.
The top of your resume should contain your name and contact information. Divide the remainder of your resume into clear categories. Common categories include "Education," "Employment History" and "Additional Skills." Keep your resume organized by using bold text to highlight category headings and bulleted lists to outline your qualifications.
Include only relevant information on your resume. Don't clutter up the page with nonessential personal information like hobbies, unless you gained specific job-related skills through these activities. Consider each category a highlight reel of your skills and accomplishments - not a play-by-play analysis.
As you outline your previous jobs, use action verbs to define your responsibilities and accomplishments. "Cheerfully provided outstanding service at high volume discount store" sounds better than "customer service." Although everything on your resume should be true (never include false information on an application for employment or resume), you control the tone of your text. Also, if you produced quantifiable results, like increasing sales or lowering staff turnover by a certain percent, be sure to include these numbers. Be as specific and thorough as possible when defining your worth.
Determine what skills the employer is looking for by examining the employment ad, and make sure you highlight those skills on your resume. Don't limit yourself to only skills you've used in previous positions either. If you developed leadership and teamwork skills when playing sports in school, include these on your list. If you've been a homemaker for some time, include the time-management and organizational skills you gained.
Landing the perfect job can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. Putting extra effort into making a well-organized, clearly written resume increases your chances of success. First impressions count.
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