Any resume writer has at one point or another asked themselves “How do I make “ My perfect resume ”?. Therefore in this article we’ll go over the more basic and fundamental dos and don’ts of the most certain aspects of resume writing. Moreover, using Professional Resume Examples we will go in depth of what it takes to make a good resume. Without further delay Let’s begin:
Dos:
Highlight Your Most Relevant Experiences
A mistake almost all resume writers make when they start, is using the same resume for all job applications. This no doubt a bad idea a bad idea because HR Managers don’t have the time to sift through every resume in detail to find what they are looking for. Therefore, Make targeted resumes for specific positions that cater to the needs of the position itself, by prioritizing relevant experiences.
Take care of Applicant Tracking System protocols
As competition in the job market grows, HR departments have adapted automated filtering systems to make their work easier. Make sure to make a resume with proper formatting, utilize keywords and review for spelling mistakes.
Be Specific and Detailed
Be detailed with accolades and awards consequently impressing the HR manager by what you did, instead of just presenting a general sense of being good at your previous job. Similarly, understand how to use soft skills.
Understand how to use Soft Skills
Demonstrate the effectiveness or real world example of your soft skill instead of just promising that you have one.
Professional resume examples of this is:
“ Skilled manager, Spear headed many employee programs at previous employment resulting in reducing staff turnover rate by 7%”
Or let’s take a look at an example from my perfect resume as a content writer
“Used communication skills to produce in depth pieces resulting in being featured in renowned publications such as “WSJ” and NY Times”
Add Volunteer Work
Volunteer work can really help make up for the lack of Professional Work Experience as it can be used to show acquired skills and enthusiasm for the position. Therefore, if you have any relative volunteer work it should be focused on in a resume and not hidden.
Focus on Achievements, Awards and Accolades
always look good on a resume, especially when relevant to the desired position.
Professional Movement in your career
Make different sections for the different roles you had in the previous company.In other words if you were promoted or transferred to another department it’s best to look at them as 2 different work experiences.
Pay attention to Professional Summary
A professional summary is a great way to highlight the most important and relevant elements of a resume. Therefore, make it memorable so the hiring manager will always keep your resume in the back of his mind.
Use Real English
There is no point in using a thesaurus on every word because the Hiring Manager will not be reaching for a dictionary for every time he gets stuck on a word. Instead, Match regular speech patterns to the speech of the resume. Hiring Managers are human beings and as a result of that have the tendencies to review a resume in a more human way.
An example of a bad use of english on a resume is:
“Integrated interval based social media outreach technique to connect with a more expansive demographic of audience.”
Professional Resume Examples will say the same thing but in a human way:
“Posted on twitter regularly (at least twice a day) to increase follower count by 20%”
Do Use Powerful Verbs
Instead of using repetitive and mundane terms use technical and dynamic verbs.
Bad example of using Verbs:
“Led the team on multiple occasions…”
“Handled day to day tasks…”
“Managed all employees…”
Professional Resume Examples would use verbs like:
“Administered 50cc of tributanolcholorophematamine to patients…”
“Consolidated company standing… “
“Maximized profits by…”
Be Specific with Contact information
Seems like something that goes without saying but it’s surprising how many candidates sleep on their Contact info while making their resume.
Contact information should have its own section on the top of the resume, detailed and prominent. Mention Name, Address, Phone Number, Email, Address and LinkedIn profile.
A bad Example of Contact information would look something like this:
Contact Info
Jon Smith (goes by J)
Address: The corner of 184th and 3rd third apartment building from the left, apartment number 3, if you’ve passed the dairy queen you’ve gone too far.
Contact Number: I don’t believe in phones
Email Address: HaloFan4Ever@hotmail.com
LinkedIn: I don’t have a linkedIn
If I were to create My Perfect Resume Examples for contact information they would look something like:
“Contact information
Name: John H Smith
Address: 24th and 5, Building Number 4, Apartment Number 7, Brooklyn, NY City, New York, Zip Code: XXXX
Phone #: XXXX-XXX-XXXX
Email Adress: johnsmith@gmail.com
LinkedInn: LinkedInn.com/user/JohnSmith”
Or
“Marketing Executive
Name: Carolyn Scmidht
DOB: 19th April 1980
Phone Number: XXXX-XXX-XXXX
Address: 24, Downing Street, Dallas, Texas, USA
Zip Code: XXXXXX
EmailAddress: carolyn.schmidt801@gmail.com
LinkedIn Profile: LinkedInn.com/user/CarolynSchmidt”
Don’ts:
Hesitate in applying because the lack of work experience
Recent graduates and Newcomers might feel discouraged because of a lack in work experience but they can always work around this by playing more to the functional skills and education on a resume. If I were to make my perfect resume I would like to have a work experience of 200+ Years and a couple of Nobel Peace prizes but that just isn’t possible.So I play to my strengths and downplay my weaknesses.
Incriminate yourself
Adding anything incriminating is a big mistake. Similarly, don’t add anything that you wouldn’t mind being known publicly. This does not however mean employment gaps. For whatever reason an applicant was unemployed, it is not a good idea to try and hide it.
Focus on mundane skills
Microsoft Word and Powerpoint are not skills that anyone is looking for. Therefore, adding these will just take up space on the resume. I as a content writer should know. Even though most of my work happens on a Word Doc, in my perfect resume I would never try and brag about it. Instead I focus on my skills about the work that I do, for example “75 words per minute typing speed” and “well versed in ethical journalism”
Pick political or ideological sides in your resume
Do not get political or ideological, unless the job is political in nature. For the most part, workplaces are neutral zones and thus resumes should have a neutral tone.
Waste Realestate on your Resume
If it’s not work related or helps your resume, don’t add it. Additionally, Personal hobbies should only be added if they relate to professional environments.
Professional Resume Examples will always list like this:
Hobbies
Basketball; Useful activity for learning to work well in teams.
And not like this
Basketball; Go KNICKS!!
Over Do it with the non work related stuff
Going into detail about stuff that isn’t work related is a major mistake. Therefore, Emphasizing Experience as Captain of the Cheerleading squad in High School is just not going to be useful. In fact, any activity from HighSchool if not relevant to the Job needs to be taken out.
Use an Objective Statement
Objective statements should only be added when making a career change. Otherwise if you’re applying for the same job at another firm, there is no point.
Hide Gaps
It’s better to come clean about periods of unemployment and out right instead of not addressing them at all.Use my erfect Resume Builder to stay ahead of the curve and get yourself an edge over the competition. Look at Many Professional Resume Examples that will guide you in making your resume perfect.
