Most people don’t really think about their resume. They add a wealth of information to an A4 document and send it to an employer, hoping to get a job. However, recruitment has evolved to the extent that software scans all resumes before landing on a human’s desk. This means you should think about your resume for more than five minutes before firing it off as an email attachment. Build a resume that allows your skills to leap off the page, even when scanned by software.
What does ‘build my resume’ even mean? It means adding the crucial components that recruiters look for first. It means using your resume to create an unforgettable impression on a potential employer.
1. Format Is Key
With all the resume-building platforms out there, there is no reason for you to present an A4 resume that looks like a 90s high-school project. Formatting and design are some of the first things a recruiter or employer looks at. They want to scan the information they need without cute bunnies and falling confetti getting in the way. Even if you are an animator and want to add more features to your resume, they shouldn’t get in the way of the text. There must be enough white space between and around the text to make it easy to extract the details visually.
Use a resume builder to create the perfect balance between formatting and design. You want a resume that looks great but is not cluttered. You want employers to see that you’ve put effort into creating a readable and valuable document.
2. Typos and Spelling Errors Are a Huge No-No
The excuse ‘everyone makes spelling errors’ doesn’t fly anymore. There are several online spell checkers, and many resume builders have built-in spell checkers. This means that your resume should contain perfect grammar and be free of spelling errors. Double or triple-check your resume to find typos and spelling errors before sending it to an employer.
3. A Heading Is a Must-Have
Your resume tells the story of your school and work career path. You cannot tell this story properly without a heading. Your heading should not be CV or RESUME. Instead, you should add your name at the top of your resume and your location directly below it. Then, include your email address next to or below your location and add a clear, professional photograph of yourself to complete the heading section.
This section will likely already exist if you use a resume builder. All you need to do is delete the placeholder text and replace it with your information.
4. Add Your Objective or Summary Below the Header
Below the header, you can add a block or frame containing a resume summary. If you don’t have work experience yet, you can add an objective instead. This means that if you’re an experienced worker, you can summarize your work experience. If you’re starting out, you can briefly explain why you’re applying for a specific job and what you hope to achieve in your career. This summary section is another reason why using an online resume builder is critical. You will likely have to amend or completely change it depending on where you want to work.
5. Use the Right Words to Explain Your Work Experience
Don’t be vague or generic when explaining your work experience. Use wording and explanations relevant to your experience and the industry you want to work in. Highlight your previous and current tasks and responsibilities using examples and case studies. Include special projects, especially if you were in charge of them.
6. Detail Your Education and Skills
List all your experience and credentials, even if they seem insignificant. Your two years of overseas waiting experience could count in your favor, depending on the job you’re applying for. Your volunteer work after college could mean the difference between getting an internship or not. Your prior work experience counts as skills building, and your unique experiences may have given you specific skills employers want.
Detail all your educational credentials, including school name and graduation dates. While experience is important, employers also want to see your education history.
Take the Time to Craft a Perfect Resume
You can also add any achievements and awards received throughout your educational and work career. If you speak more than one language, it would be good to note it on your resume. Also, if you have hobbies and interests relevant to the industry you want to work in, note that, too.
Take some time to think about all these components before adding them to your resume. A well-thought-out and formatted resume will always fare better than a generic, plain one.
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