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"You only get one chance to make a first impression." In the professional world, that first chance is your resume. I have seen hundreds of resumes and it is still shocking to me, that most resumes look like some dreaded homework essay that no one wants to write or read. Resumes are an important tool for landing the job you deserve. They are easy to write and easy to make stand out. Here are some tips to help you with your resume writing process.
List things backwards - An important thing you should keep in mind is to start from the latest information and then move backwards. Start from your recent education and mention the subjects studied at your college, school, courses, etc. Similarly, start from the latest job responsibilities you are holding.
Use the right language - The cover letter can tell a quick story that lets the reader know about your personality and the rest of the resume can showcase your skills and experience, but don't forget to pepper in the right language. Use the occasional industry term to indicate to the hiring manager that you are experienced in the industry.
Run-on sentences - Check to make sure you do not have run-ons that are hard to read. Break up sentences into shorter, bite-sized statements. When I get stuck on a sentence, I simply bust it all up and create new sentences.
Feature the highlights - The worst resumes that I have seen are from people who feel the need to list every event in their career. This makes the resume long and boring. The idea is to keep it short and only showcase the career highlights. No one cares about the small jobs you took on between the bigger jobs. Just list the big events and jobs where you learned a skill or changed your professional outlook.
Ampersands - Ampersands (&) do not belong on a resume. There are a few exceptions. One exception is a well-known company name (AT&T). Another exception is well-known industry terms (P&L).
Whatever you do, don't blend in to the rest of the resumes on the stack. Use powerful language, color, and stories to stand out. Trust me, the person reading it does not care too much about exact dates and section headings. Tell them a story and appeal to their senses, interests, or whatever you can. Strike a chord with them and they will strike a deal with you.
List things backwards - An important thing you should keep in mind is to start from the latest information and then move backwards. Start from your recent education and mention the subjects studied at your college, school, courses, etc. Similarly, start from the latest job responsibilities you are holding.
Use the right language - The cover letter can tell a quick story that lets the reader know about your personality and the rest of the resume can showcase your skills and experience, but don't forget to pepper in the right language. Use the occasional industry term to indicate to the hiring manager that you are experienced in the industry.
Run-on sentences - Check to make sure you do not have run-ons that are hard to read. Break up sentences into shorter, bite-sized statements. When I get stuck on a sentence, I simply bust it all up and create new sentences.
Feature the highlights - The worst resumes that I have seen are from people who feel the need to list every event in their career. This makes the resume long and boring. The idea is to keep it short and only showcase the career highlights. No one cares about the small jobs you took on between the bigger jobs. Just list the big events and jobs where you learned a skill or changed your professional outlook.
Ampersands - Ampersands (&) do not belong on a resume. There are a few exceptions. One exception is a well-known company name (AT&T). Another exception is well-known industry terms (P&L).
Whatever you do, don't blend in to the rest of the resumes on the stack. Use powerful language, color, and stories to stand out. Trust me, the person reading it does not care too much about exact dates and section headings. Tell them a story and appeal to their senses, interests, or whatever you can. Strike a chord with them and they will strike a deal with you.
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