A resume gives an employer their first impression while recruiting potential employees. It is extremely important to put the necessary amount of work into creating a resume that communicates your education, work experience, qualifications, as well as skills relevant to the job you are applying for.
Here are a few things to be mindful of when generating a resume:
- A resume should be straight forward and easy to read. Formatting is key! A cluttered resume will be off putting so it is recommended to have a balanced resume with both style and consistent spacing.
- The top third of your resume is critical. The recruiter or hiring manager will determine within about 3 seconds if they are interested in reading the rest of the resume. Start with your name at the top in larger font and work your way down from there. Include your email address (it is recommended to have G-Mail instead of AOL or Yahoo), and phone number so they know how to contact you.
- Choose a font that is clean and easy to read. Times New Roman is commonly used due to its legibility, but choosing another font can help your resume stand out among others - just make sure it is clearly legible. Adding a pop of color can catch the eye of future employers, too!
- Traditionally, the top of a resume includes a statement of your objective for the company. Today, that objective line is not absolutely necessary and it is recommended to clearly state your objective verbally upon meeting the recruiter or hiring manager to communicate your motivation to work with them. However, since it is traditionally the norm to have an objective at the top, it is ultimately up to you if you want to include it!
- It is important for your qualifications and work experience to be clearly stated. Throughout a resume, use the same tone and tense. Use quantities when referring to your accomplishments so the employer can understand exactly what has been accomplished.
- For example, if you were promoted - briefly explain why. If you reached a goal beyond expectation - state how. If you made a sale - give dollar amounts and percentages.
- Towards the bottom of the resume add any skills or certifications you have achieved that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
- If you still have space you need to fill at the bottom, adding referrals is okay to do - but make sure you tell the person they are you on your resume as a reference & that they are willing to accommodate the responsibility.
Overall, a resume should be a direct reflection of your accomplishments and qualifications for the job you are applying for. It should be something you can be proud of and confident when showing it to your next potential employer. Tailoring a resume can be a lot of work but it is worth the effort once you land the job you are aiming to get!
