Your resume is your first opportunity to make a good impression on a potential employer. Just like using an online fake transcript maker for your transcript, there are many online resume makers you can use to help you speed up the process.
Despite that, there are some best practices you should be following when writing your resume regardless of the niche or industry you are in. Use the following tips to make sure you are creating a well-rounded resume that will help you get hired.
Chapter Overview
1. Start with a Professional Summary
One of the best ways to start your resume is with a professional summary. This is a short, one to two sentence overview of your skills and experience.
It should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job as an accountant, you would want to highlight your experience in bookkeeping and financial analysis.
2. Use Keywords
When writing your resume, it is important to use keywords that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Keywords are words or phrases that describe the skills and experience an employer is looking for.
For example, if you are applying for a job as a web developer, some relevant keywords might be “HTML”, “CSS”, and “JavaScript”. Including these keywords in your resume will help ensure that it is picked up by applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are used by many employers to screen resumes.
3. Highlight Your Achievements
In addition to listing your work experience and skills, you should also highlight your achievements. Achievements can include things like awards you have won, projects you have completed, or goals you have met. So if you increased sales by 20% at your previous job, that would be an achievement worth highlighting. Including achievements on your resume will help demonstrate the value you can bring to an employer.
4. Use Simple Language
When writing your resume, it is important to use language that can be understood by everyone. Avoid using jargon or acronyms that might not be familiar to everyone reading your resume. Additionally, avoid using overly complicated sentence structures. Instead, opt for simple language that is easy to read and understand.
5. Proofread Your Resume
Once you have finished writing your resume, it is important to proofread it carefully before submitting it. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and make sure that all of the information included is accurate and up-to-date. If possible, ask someone else to read over your resume as well, as they may be able to spot errors that you have missed.
Top 5 Resume Writing Tips to Avoid
Now that you know some of the best practices for writing a resume, it is also important to be aware of some common mistakes to avoid. These include:
1. Don’t Use an Objective Statement
One mistake that many people make when writing their resume is including an objective statement. An objective statement is a short, one to two sentence overview of your career goals. However, including an objective statement on your resume is no longer considered necessary, as it can be assumed that your goal is to get the job you are applying for.
2. Don’t Include Irrelevant Information
When writing your resume, only include information that is relevant to the job you are applying for. There is no need to include a list of every single job you have ever had, or all of the skills you have acquired over the years. Instead, focus on including information that will demonstrate why you are a good fit for the position.
3. Don’t Use Unprofessional Language
Another mistake to avoid when writing your resume is using unprofessional language. This includes things like using slang or profanity, or making jokes. Remember, your resume is a professional document, so it should be written in a professional manner.
4. Don’t Include Personal Information
There is no need to include personal information on your resume, such as your age, gender, or relationship status. In most cases, this information is not relevant to the job you are applying for, and including it could put you at a disadvantage.
5. Not Customizing Your Resume
When applying for jobs, it is important to customize your resume for each position. This means tailoring the content of your resume to match the specific requirements of the job. For example, if you are applying for a job as a web developer, you would want to include information about your experience with web development. Failing to customize your resume could result in your resume being passed over, even if you are qualified for the position.
By following these tips, you can write a resume that will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting hired.