Crafting a perfect resume takes time; your resume should present the required skills and experiences of your target job. So, when hiring managers go over your resume or scan it through the applicant tracking systems (ATS), they will see that you are the right candidate. As such, you should think about using impactful keywords. You should have relevant experiences and skills. Thus, your resume will stand out among a pile of resumes.
That is why job seekers search for helpful and effective resume writing tips. With a well-written resume, they have a high chance of getting hired. Especially in the current pandemic, many people have lost their jobs, and are virtually out there looking for a new one. As such, the competition is high.
So, if you are one of these job seekers, how will you capture your recruiter’s attention? How will you write your resume? What information should you include in your resume? Should you write your own resume or ask for help from career experts? Let’s deal with these questions one by one.
Resume Writing Tips: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out
Here are four practical resume writing tips to get you started.
1. Keep it short but informative.
Ideally, your resume contents should fit in one page. In this way, your recruiters can focus on your qualifications. To do so, you should tailor your resume by including only the skills vital to your target job. For example, if you want to change careers, like from a pharmacist to a writer, you should not talk about your pharmaceutical roles. In lieu of the irrelevant hard skills, include good written communication or editing skills instead.
2. Increase your market value.
Highlight all your key roles in your resume. Indicate your job title and major tasks to help emphasize your relevant experiences. If you have a long work history, make it brief; include only the most vital and recent details. In this way, you can make an impression that you can deliver or exceed expectations.
3. Write your cover letter.
With a cover letter, your resume can have a more accomplished look. Provide vital details that cannot be shown on your resume.
4. Make a follow-up.
Give a call or send an email, since doing so further shows your interest in the desired position and gives a positive impression on your potential employer. Hence, you’re assured that the right person has received your application.
How to Craft a High-Standard Resume Content
To increase your chances of being hired, you should set standards and become the best version of yourself. Here are some tips on how you can make a high-standard resume:
- Highlight the skills and experience vital to your target role.
- Ensure that your resume shows how you have become a better person through your past experiences.
- Submit a well-crafted and composed resume.
Sections of a High-Standard Resume
A well-crafted high-standard resume should have the following sections:
Objective
As a heading statement on a resume, this section is where job seekers describe their career goals. Found at the top of a resume, it usually has two to three sentences. But the objective statement is now considered outdated. So, it has been replaced with qualifications profile or resume summary.
Instead of describing your goals, present how you can add value to the company. Use impactful resume keywords that help your resume pass the ATS. Thus, recruiters can have an idea on what you can offer. They will also see that you are the best one for the job.
Resume Skills
This section highlights your skills or abilities. There are two types of skills, namely, soft and hard skills. Soft skills are your natural people skills like leadership, critical thinking, and creativity. Hard skills, on the other hand, are technical skills and knowledge. They include job-specific skills, such as Google Analytics, copywriting, and QuickBooks. To make your resume stand out, you should include only the skills relevant to your target job.
Education
Your education is one of your edges among other applicants. It helps level up your job search, especially if your degree is relevant to your target role. If you are a fresh graduate, your education is a strong selling point. But there is no need to include your high school information.
Resume Writing Tips: How to Write a Well-Crafted Resume
To help you land your dream job, you should follow these resume writing tips to write an effective resume:
1. Choose the most suitable format.
Before writing anything, you should decide first which resume format is right for you. There are four basic resume formats used by job seekers: chronological, functional, combination, and targeted.
Chronological
This is the most common format used by job seekers. In this type, your work experience is written in reverse chronological order. Job descriptions and dates are presented according to the relevance of your past roles to the qualifications of your target job. This is the best type if you are looking for a job abroad or if you have earned awards. But if you are shifting careers, you should use other types.
Functional
This resume type focuses on your skills rather than your work history and achievements. In this format, your work history is grouped in terms of your skills. This type is commonly used to save space and make your resume appear shorter than the usual format. This is the right resume if you are a fresh graduate without a recent job experience. This is also suitable if you are a professional who want to change careers.
Combination
This resume format highlights your key skills, while also focusing on past key roles and awards without some features of the functional type. Your work history is grouped depending on your skills and expertise. It is also shorter than the usual chronological format. But writing your resume in this format is hard. You should write it seamlessly so that your resume still stands out.
Targeted
This type is custom-made for your desired job. Your resume contents, including summary, education, skills, and experience, fit the target role. A targeted resume format highlights the skills and experience required by hiring managers.
2. Provide your contact information.
Indicate the following information in your resume header:
- Name
- Mobile or phone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn profile
- Link to an online portfolio, if there is any
3. List key certifications, awards, and honors.
To boost your qualifications, you can add your awards and honors, along with your certifications. You can also indicate the grants and scholarships you’ve received.
4. Proofread your resume and ensure that it is error-free.
Before submitting your resume to your target company, you should reread it and ensure that it has no spelling or typo errors. You should also check if there are formatting mistakes. Edit and proofread your resume at least twice. You can also show it to an eagle-eyed friend or family member who can check it and let you know if it needs further improvements.
How to Know the Effectiveness of Your Resume
Now that you have learned what the resume formats are and how a well-crafted resume can be written, you need to choose the right format and try to write your resume. Then, check if your resume is indeed effective and thus impactful enough that you can land your dream job. A well-crafted, effective resume should have the following features:
Clean
Your resume should look professional, so the theme and colors should be consistent. Use legible fonts, and add colors and style in strategic spots like dividers, margins, and bullet points. Thus, your resume stands out and captures your recruiter’s attention.
Credible
Use language that is consistent with the professional theme. Ensure that all details are accurate and true—note that honesty is still a highly valued trait.
Complete
Make sure that your resume contains all the necessary information about your work history. Your complete personal details should also be provided.
Clever
Use impactful words. For example, choose adjectives that highlight your skills. Match them with your target job. Use action words like managed, resolved, achieved, launched, and trained as effective resume keywords.
Concise
Keep your resume short. Recruiters typically spend about six seconds as they go through your resume. As such, put only the relevant details.
Compelling
To make sure your resume captures your recruiters’ attention, you should highlight your key roles and awards. In this way, you craft a compelling resume.
Customized
Craft a resume suited for your target job. Highlight the skills that match the job description. Avoid sending a generic resume.
Let the Experts Write a Resume and Land Your Dream Job
Once you have written your resume in the right format, you should review it to check if it follows our resume writing tips. See if it also has high-standard resume contents. But if you’re still unsure whether your resume is compelling enough, our career experts know more resume writing tips that can be used to craft an effective resume. Check out our resume services and talk to our experts for free career advice.
