A strong resume is a key part of the job search. It can help you find a job and get a foot in the door at your ideal company. It can also help you get a higher salary and better benefits. But writing a strong resume isn’t easy and it takes time. Luckily, there are plenty of tips out there to help you create an outstanding resume. Here are some of the best:
Write Above the Fold
The term “above the fold” refers to what a newspaper reader sees on the front half before they start to scroll down. When it comes to your resume, this means that the most important information should be visible at the top of the document. That way, a hiring manager can quickly determine whether your resume is worth further review. If you’re not sure what to include in the top section, consider leading with a skills section or writing a resume summary.
Show, Don’t Tell
When listing your qualifications on your resume, be specific and use concrete examples. This will show potential employers that you’re not only a capable professional, but you can also deliver results. For example, instead of saying you’re a great leader, say you led a team to success or increased sales by 10%. Make sure to provide details so a hiring manager can see exactly what you accomplished and how you did it.
Skip the gimmicks. Avoid excessive use of bullet points, images, colors, or fonts that are hard to read. Stick with a simple, professional look that is easy to read in both black and white. Also, make sure your file format is compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS) so it can be easily searched and scanned.
Don’t forget to mention relevant volunteer work, internships, service-learning, philanthropic efforts, projects, and freelancing experience. These experiences can be just as important, if not more, than paid employment. Make sure to highlight these positions in the “Experience” section of your resume and include a brief description of what you did in each role.
Divvy up your skill section for readability. If you have a lot of skills that are related, such as foreign language, software and leadership skills, consider adding a subsection underneath your “Skills” section that is titled something like “Language Skills,” “Software Skills” or “Leadership Skills.” This will allow hiring managers to scan and quickly identify the skills they need.
Be honest about gaps in your career history. If you have significant gaps, it’s OK to address them in an interview by explaining why you were away from the workforce or why you departed a position. However, it’s never a good idea to lie on your resume.
The days of needing a single page to tell your story are long gone. If necessary, you can always supplement your resume with a link to your personal website, online portfolio or examples of your work. Just remember, hiring managers can only spend six seconds on each resume, so be clear and concise in what you include and make it easy to skim for the most pertinent information.Resume writing tips
