Use these seven tips for a better resume
Are you hoping to land an interview for your next big job?
If so, you have a lot of work cut out ahead of you. Even if you know you’re an excellent candidate for the job, you need to prove yourself by creating an awesome resume and cover letter.
Around 40 percent of hiring managers spend less than 60 seconds looking at a resume. To make sure your resume gets the attention it deserves, you need to make sure your resume writing skills are top-notch.
Check out this guide to discover the top resume writing tips to help you land your first interview.
1.Use a Template
One of the best things to do to up your resume writing game is to use a template. With a resume template like one from ResumeBuild, all you need to do is add in your information then do some tweaking to highlight your abilities.
A resume template automatically gives a look of professionalism to your resume. Plus, these templates help your most important skills and experiences stand out so that a recruiter will notice them immediately.
2. Review Resume Examples from Your Industry
When crafting your resume, it’s a good idea to look at other examples of resumes created by those in your industry.
While there are many ways you can make use of resume samples, here are the main takeaways you should look for:
- Keep it Simple and Easy to Read: You’ll find that most resume samples are simple and straightforward. This is because employers only have a certain amount of time to look at your resume. Therefore, readability is key. This also means that you should select a font that’s easy to read.
- Keep it Brief: You’ll also notice that each section of a quality resume sample is simple and to the point. This includes the experience descriptions and the summaries. By including only the most relevant and key information on your resume, employers are able to gain more information about you quickly.
- Include Numbers: Oftentimes, you’ll find that there are metrics included in resume samples. Most employers are highly responsive to a value that can be proven through measurement. By including numbers in your resume, you’ll make it so employers can better understand the value you bring to a company.
When using resume samples, it’s also important to keep in mind that they’re not meant to be copied and pasted. Instead, a sample should serve as an example that you can draw inspiration from.
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3. Use a Professional Font
Because hiring managers are short on time, it’s very important that you choose a font for your resume that’s clear and easy to read.
Choosing a “fun” font like Comic Sans won’t help show off your creativity or individuality. After all, it doesn’t take too much creativity to choose a font from a list. To get on your future employers’ good side, choose simple fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. Also, make sure to keep your font sizes between 10 and 12.
4. Use Active Language
One of the most important things to remember when writing a resume is that you should always use active language.
While using active language may feel weird when you’re used to writing clear sentences and expanding your ideas, remember, brevity is key when creating a resume, and active language can help you keep your descriptions brief and to the point.
Here’s an example of something you may write on a resume:
- “During my time at ABC INC, I ran several team-based projects and I helped each team member complete various tasks associated with each project”.
To strengthen and shorten this example and use active voice, you could say something like:
- “Effectively coordinated group tasks while leading several team-based projects”.
The revised version communicates the same idea but in a clearer and more effective manner.
5. Be Selective About the Information You Include
Remember, your resume doesn’t need to include details about every job you’ve ever had. Rather, your resume should only include the most relevant information.
When creating a resume, you should start by putting the most important information first. To figure out what’s most important, take a close look at the employer’s job description.
6. Look for Keywords in the Job Posting
Oftentimes, the clues to create an excellent resume are all in the job posting.
When crafting a resume, take some time to carefully read through the job posting so you can find the keywords that exemplify what an employer is looking for an ideal candidate. Then, find ways to weave these keywords into your resume in a natural way.
7. Proofread and Edit
You spend a lot of time on job applications, and the last thing you want is to miss out on your dream job because of one small grammatical mistake you made on your resume.
Therefore, before sending your resume in, make sure you proofread and edit it multiple times. It can help to have a friend or family member look at it as well so you can get a fresh pair of eyes to catch any mistakes.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating an awesome resume! Comment below if you have any questions about writing your resume.
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