Resume Writing
A well-written resume is the key to getting your foot in the door. Let's face it, with so many applications for each position and a lack of qualified applicants, the first impression is crucial. This infographic provides resume writing tips that will help ensure you wow employers with your skills and experience.
1) Include a photo on your resume - This photo should be taken in formal attire against a plain backdrop such as a wall or window. Choose an outfit that matches company culture and wear clothes that make you look professional yet comfortable.
2) Keep your resume objective focused - Employers are looking for the skills and experience they need to fulfill the position. They may not care about your personal interests or hobbies if they do not relate to the job.
3) Use quantifiable numbers - Although some aspects of a job cannot be measured, it is important to use numbers whenever possible. These can be quantitative results, percentages and especially any awards or recognitions you have received throughout your career.
4) Use keywords that are industry standards - There are certain words employers search for when they want someone with specific experience or skills. Make sure your resume contains these words so you are at the top of the pile when an employer is screening resumes.
5) Use keywords in your resume summary section - The summary section of your resume should contain a clear, one paragraph overview of your relevant skills and background. This will help employers quickly screen out unqualified applicants and focus on those they most want to interview.
6) Use action verbs in your work experience descriptions - The experience section of your resume is the place to show employers what you have done. Choose action verbs that highlight accomplishments, such as "implemented" or "managed." This shows employers that you accomplished tasks and were able to follow through on projects.
7) Put your name at the top of the resume as well as your contact information - You want to stand out from the crowd, so make sure employers can find you if they need to. Use a header that includes your name and contact information.
8) Use action verbs in describing company duties - Do not waste space with weak verbs or general descriptions, such as "organized" or "supervised." Instead, show employers what you did by using action verbs and state accomplishments that clearly show your value.
9) Put your job responsibilities on a separate page - HR departments are looking for a clear picture of what you did on each job. To maintain high professionalism, put this information in a separate section on your resume. Highlight key points, such as any awards or recognitions you received for achievements and results.
10) Include keywords in your reference section - This section is one of the most important parts of your resume. Include keywords that relate to the position you are applying for along with words that show positive recommendations from past employers.
11) Avoid resumes that are too flashy or include pictures - While some employers may allow a picture or design elements to be added to their resume, many will shy away from applications with these types of resumes. Keep it professional whenever possible and save the fun elements for your social media sites and portfolio.
12) Make sure you have proper grammar and punctuation - Not all employers are native English speakers so you need to make sure your resume is edited for grammar and spelling. This is especially important if you are using a service that will edit your resume for a fee.
13) Use correct capitalization - This can be easy to get wrong in the rush of applying for positions with any number of companies, but make sure your resume has proper capitalization to help create an overall professional look. Use the all-caps version when it is appropriate and combine each company name with all-caps instead of italics on separate lines.
14) Use bullet points to organize information - If a job requires specific skills or experience that does not fall under a more general heading, break these out into separate sections. Use bulleted points for each item so employers can easily find what they are looking for.
15) Use LaTeX formula editor to create the resume - Since the binary content on resume is getting larger and LaTeX is more difficult to crack, it is advised to use latex formula editor while creating resumes.
16) Create specific keywords file - This file should have at least 300 sample keywords and phrases related to your work profile and experience. Create your resume starting from this list of words and phrases. You can use specialized LaTeX editor such as Kile and Texmaker to create this file.
17) Keep formatting simple - When creating your resume, you should keep the layout and formatting simple. Use a Times New Roman font, 10pt in size, with 1” margins all around. Leave a 1-2 line gap between the resume title and your contact information to give it more space. Avoid using tables for layout and do not make the font size too small as this will make it difficult for employers to read. Also avoid using complex fonts like cursive or script and do not use italics at all, even for titles of publications or awards. Use the simplest font possible for your resume, keep the size and margins at a minimum and do not change the color or apply bold throughout.
18) Make it focused - Do not include information that is not directly related to the job itself. Providing too much information can make you seem unfocused, but your resume will be easier to read if you focus on what you did, what you achieved and how you handled your work. Leave any personal interests or hobbies out of your resume unless they are directly related to your qualifications for this job.
19) Highlight key accomplishments - Include a section that highlights results and achievements that employers will want to see while they are reviewing applications. Do not waste space with generic descriptions and instead talk about specifically how you handled your work. This can be difficult as you want to keep the specific information on a separate page, but in a way that highlights these achievements without listing actual numbers, keep these achievements high quality.
20) Use an objective section - This section should be kept simple and will provide a brief overview of your background and goals. You want this to show that you are career-oriented, but you also want to highlight your qualifications for this job. Be direct so employers can easily see why they should consider hiring you.
21) Showcase experience and knowledge - Include relevant experience in each area of your resume where it applies.
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Resume Writing