According to an old adage, "There's many a slip between the cup and the lip!" The dream job offer may be inches away from you at one moment and at the next moment, it's probably a mile away! There are various factors that may lead to such a situation. One of the reasons can be your resume format. However much we may huff and puff at the thought of talking about our accomplishments and work experience over the years, it is very important that your resume stands out from the crowd. From the recruiters point of view, a resume should be one that gives all the relevant details about the person in a precise and clear way. Due to the increasing volume in the number of resumes submitted online on job portals, it becomes a tedious task sifting through so many documents. The proper way to write a resume involves knowing about little tricks of the trade. Use these resume writing tips to make your resume distinguishable from the crowd!
Resume Writing Tips:
Decide upon the format of the resume. One of the most commonly used and proper format is the chronological order. This is very popular with employers. A chronological order simply means that you begin with your current employment details. This should be followed with your educational details. Chronological formats are useful when you are applying for a position that is on similar lines to your current profile. On the other hand, this format is not too useful when you are a fresher!
Always use action words. When you describe job details and the kind of work handled, use active words. Use adjectives where necessary to describe your work profile. This will help to make the right impression.
Even if you have the choice of using multiple fonts or colors, a word of caution here, keep it simple and readable. A font that is easy to read makes the whole format appear presentable. You don't really want to scare prospective employers with a colorful or wacky resume and make them discard the job application! A sans serif font is most recommended. This is because it generally appears clearer than fonts with serif at the time of printing a resume.
Highlight your qualities without trying to sound desperate! Prospective employers need to know your strengths and they do not really have the time to go through long sentences. Keep it simple and snappy, Use words such as creative, problem solver etc.
Use bullet format where required. An employer or a recruitment firm may not have the time to read things in detail. Having a bullet format for your educational background and core strengths will make it more readable.
Always talk about the most important points in the beginning of the resume. When one skims through the text file, one may not reach the end of the resume. You surely don't want important points to be missed! Therefore, highlight these in the beginning itself.
Always try to include your career goal. It helps employers to know about your thought process and area of interests. A career goal can be modified to suit the kind of opening available. There are many who may apply to positions in diverse fields. In that case, it should be modified accordingly, or else you might just give a wrong impression to the reader.
Always keep your resume short and simple. Lengthy resumes may tend to make the whole format appear tedious. Generally, the length of a resume should be kept between 1-3 pages. You can keep a detailed copy and provide it when there is a specific request.
Here's hoping you have a flying start to your career with these resume writing tips! Best of luck in your endeavors!
By Kashmira Lad
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