Designing a resume has always been hectic for most people. Having to put all of your information in such a small area can be tricky. However, you do not have to worry anymore. Because this article has answers, you require to make your resume stand out in the midst of many. If you’re eager to learn more about this topic, join us as we reveal the secret to crafting your perfect resume with the help of a resume builder.
If you want to write the resume yourself, you will need to consider some crucial aspects. But you do not have to worry since this article will cover all the information you require to write a fascinating resume.
If, however, you would like to get a professional opinion on your resume before sending it off to a potential employer, then reaching out to a resume writer in California could prove to be beneficial. A resume writing expert will know exactly what to include in your resume to impress a recruiter so do not be afraid to ask for advice if you need it.
Without wasting more time, let us dive into designing your resume:
Keep it Short
Many recruiters do not have enough time to go through a ten-page resume. They spend about 2-3 minutes on a single resume, so avoid making your resume lengthy. You also do not want to have irrelevant information in your paper. It takes up a lot of space and could give the recruiter a wrong impression of you.
Tailor down your resume to a single page. Please include relevant information about your life and make it as brief as possible. Here are some essential details that you ought to include in your resume:
- i) Your education
- ii) Work experience
- iii) Projects you have worked on
- iv) Your skills
- v) Your interests or hobbies
- vi) Awards you have attained
- vii) Social links
You should write all this information in a summary form. Then, your recruiter should go through it with ease.
Most people argue that if they have a portfolio, they do not require a resume. However, portfolios only cover the depths of your skills, but with a resume, your recruiter can capture the breadth of your skills. Therefore, a resume can be considered a summarized version of your portfolio.
Recruiters will want to know if your skill sets qualify for the job. They will want to see how you approach a problem encountered in work and your passion and values. A portfolio does not answer such questions, but a resume does. So resume screening helps recruiters accomplish their first stage in the recruiting process. Of course, you can always get more details online on the extra information recruiters look for in the first stage.
Clearly show your work history across different companies or any freelance jobs that you might have done. You can also provide ways for your recruiter to know more about you by, for example, providing your website link, LinkedIn profile, or dribble on a separate paper. The link you provide should bring out a unique side of you that should capture your recruiter’s attention into wanting to hire you.
Specify the Role that You Are Playing
Specifying the role that you are going to play in the company is crucial. For example, you might have experience in web designing, but applying for a networking position has reduced value. While having extra skills helps make your resume stand out, your recruiter will only care about that in the second stage. However, they will want to know if you have the required skill set to take up the role in the first stage.
Prevent any confusion by presenting your role in a precise and straightforward manner. Your recruiter should understand your role without straining. When you write a position that is not precise and clear, you come out as confused about the role that you want to sign up for. That is not a good first impression, and it downgrades your resume drastically.
It would help if you tailor your resume so that it brings out your purpose for the company. In addition, your resume should show your motivation towards taking up a role and show your capability of handling it. Such a resume gives the recruiter a sense of confidence in you hence boosting your chances of getting hired.
Use the Available Templates but Beware of ATS
With the dawn of application tracking systems, you should be careful about how you design your resume. The ATS is a system that helps companies filter out candidates according to how they prepare their resumes. Most companies use this system to reduce the number of applicants to reduce the workload during recruitment.
According to ATS guidelines, all resumes should not have any graphics. Hence you should avoid placing any images, tables, icons, or shapes. They also look for bullets and some font types too. So, to prevent such occurrences, use the available old version templates. Thus, preserve most of your creativity for your portfolio. However, be creative while selecting the available template; you still want it to stand out!
To ensure your resume sails smoothly through the application tracking systems, it’s advisable to utilize some of the free resume templates that adhere to ATS guidelines, avoiding graphics and complex formatting while maintaining a unique and professional appearance. By leveraging these tailored templates, you can effectively showcase your qualifications without compromising your chances of passing the initial screening process.
Do not Insert your Photo onto your Resume
Anti-discriminant laws in some countries prevent recruiters from asking for a lot of information; an image is one of them. Photos reveal a great deal of information about a person, including color, caste, and creed, making it a basis for discrimination. So many companies do not ask for an image, nor do they expect to receive one.
However, different countries have different rules about how resumes should look like. For example, some countries like Germany, Japan, and China prefer a resume with an attached professional photo. Hence research the company well before sending your resume.
You can also check out online resume service companies in your region to identify any other precautions to take. Websites such as Resume writing Lab offer efficient resume writing information to help you write a perfect resume. You can also hire them to write your resume. They deliver perfectly personalized resumes that can help you get that dream job.
Avoid Showing Generic Interest
Hobbies are fantastic at making your application more attractive and add value to your profile. Jobs are about working; sometimes you might have sports activities, making the events even better. Singing, cooking, writing, playing instruments are all unique features that could add value to the companies’ team, hence mention them.
However, avoid writing about interests such as traveling, watching movies, and playing games. Everyone loves doing those activities, and hence you will not be adding any value to the team.
Use First-Person without Pronouns
Your resume should come out in the first person as you are writing about yourself. It is weird presenting a resume written in the third person while it is generally speaking about you.
Remove pronouns since they tend to fill up space. Remember, you are trying to write a resume that is brief and precise.
Take care of your grammar too. If your grammar is relatively below average, find a person who is proficient in grammar to proofread your resume. Bad grammar creates a bad first impression; hence avoid it at all cost.
Create a Good Work Experience Structure
Research about the company and the available role. Doing so will help you identify the skill sets that they require. It will also provide the keywords to use to make your resume more presentable. Next, make a summary of your work experience and include the keywords.
It would help if you also portrayed the value you will add to the company via your work experience. Hence mention information such as:
- Your accomplishments in the previous company
- Your impact on the earlier companies
- The projects you worked on
Provide metrics and quantitative measures to judge your skills better.
Arrange your work experience in reverse chronological order. The recruiter will be primarily interested in what you did previously. The recruiter can hence use your previous activities to track down your progression over the years.
Exclude References
Recruiters are sure that you will provide references if they request them; hence there is no need to include them in your resume. Instead, preserve that space in your resume for more delicate information. Remember, we are trying to make a lot of data fit into a small area.
However, references play a crucial role in some applications; for example, when applying for a Ph.D., you must include references and recommendations.
Those are the guidelines that will help you design a perfect resume. But, of course, if you find any trouble writing a resume, you could always find help online on resume writing service websites.
Conclusion
Writing a resume is not an easy feat. It takes determination to perfect it, and with the tips provided in this article, you are well on your way to writing a fascinating resume and get your dream job.
