Advice For Writing A Strong Resume

Resume writing is a tricky process. Because you only have a limited amount of time to make an impression, you need to take your time and craft your resume around the type of job that you're applying for. But first, it might help to talk about what exactly makes up a resume in the first place.

A resume is an outline of your professional history and education that also includes information on your interests, skills, and accomplishments — as well as why you think it's worth taking the time out of your life and dedicating yourself to such hard work.

A strong resume is just one part of a larger job application, but it can make or break an interview. It's one of the first things that a hiring manager will see when s/he looks at your application and so it's important to craft each word with care.

Below, you will find 5 common mistakes that people make when creating their resumes as well as how to avoid them. These are simple ways to improve your chances with recruiters and give you one more thing in your favor on the job search.

1) Don't Lie

Many people assume that they need to lie in order to get a job — but this couldn't be further from the truth. If you are asked a question on your resume that you can't answer, tell the truth. Don't just say "I don't know" and leave it at that.

Be honest, even to the point of saying things like, "I'm not sure how to answer this question." If it's something you can find out on your own time or in an interview, put it down in writing.

Just be smart about it and don't lie. You will get in trouble when employers look into your background; they will see all the lies that you told on your resume instead of the truth that is hidden away somewhere else on your application. The only requirement for a good career is honesty above all else.

2) Don't Say "I" and "Me"

This one is a big one. In the world of resumes, there are few things more important than including your job title and specific duties of your position. That's why it is imperative to include it on every single line of the resume.

Say you're applying for a job as an Assistant to CEO and you've never held such a position before — don't just list yourself as an Assistant or Office Staff. You're basically putting yourself in a box that time will not let you get out of. Instead, use your best judgment and use a proper title for the job that you're applying for.

The same goes for your duties — don't say that you did something on your own time because it's not really relevant to the position at hand. Just be simple in what you have to say and don't sugarcoat it, over-exaggerate, or say anything to get yourself in the job.

3) Don't Make It Boring

Some people believe that when writing their resumes, they need to make it as dry and boring as possible so as not to come across as too flashy or encouraging of controversy.

This is completely wrong. Yes, you don't want to be too flashy and make any statements about your life, but it is important that you are confident and excited about the job that you're applying for. You have to be able to stand out amongst blind applicants and other candidates so if there's a part of your resume or cover letter that has the potential to do just that — use it!

You might not think so, but many employers look at your personality while they're interviewing people. If they see something on your resumes that shows them how you are as a person rather than just as an employee, they will appreciate it.

4) Don't Make Your Resume Too Big

It may seem that making your resume too big is a good idea. After all, the more space you take up, the longer it will take the employer to finish reading it and move on to the next applicant. On the contrary, you want your resume to be short and concise so that it can be skimmed over in less time.

As with every other aspect of your resume, if you have experience that is too far away from what you're applying for, don't include it. The person who's reviewing resumes for the job that you're after probably won't care about the fact that you were in the top 10% of your class or a "secretary of a very large corporation".

It's all about giving good information without giving too much. Keep it short and sweet and to the point. Never assume anything, either — if you weren't in charge of such a big office, don't say that you were. It might seem like something small and irrelevant but it can really take away from your chances at being considered for the job.

5) Don't Forget To Proofread

Proofreading is one of the most important parts of any document, not just a resume. Read your resume and make sure that you have every single word in place. If you don't, your resume won't come across as being professional, even if it's flawless.

Also, read through each section of the document to see how everything looks together. If you see words or phrases that don't seem to fit with the rest of it — look them up online and find a better way of saying what you want to say, or use a different word altogether.

Because so many other things go into your final resume — it's important to make sure that all of these pieces work as a team. It sounds like a lot but it really doesn't take much time. The best things in life often take a lot of effort. Believe it or not, as long as you keep practicing and really putting your time into this — you will eventually get better at it!

Photo by: Pixabay

By: Lauren Bellamy, Staff Writer

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Advice For Writing A Strong Resume

Advice For Writing A Strong Resume

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