Resumes are often the first impression for a potential employer. It is a marketing document created to sell your skills and experience to potential employers. A resume should be clear, concise, easy to read, and tailored to each job you apply for, highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position. There are a few different resume formats that you can use, but the most common is the chronological resume. This format lists your work experience chronologically, starting with your most recent job. You can also include a summary statement at the top of your resume and a brief overview of your skills and experience.
Tailor Your Resume to the Job You’re Applying For
One of the most important things you can do to improve your chances of getting an interview is to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. Emphasize skills and experience most relevant to the position.
Start by carefully reading the job description. Pay attention to the required and preferred qualifications, as well as the duties and responsibilities of the position. Then, make a list of your skills and experience that match the requirements of the job. Once you have a list of relevant skills and experience, you can start incorporating them into your resume. Use keywords from the job description, especially in your summary statement and work experience section.
Use Strong Action Verbs
When writing your resume, be sure to use strong action verbs. For example, instead of saying, “responsible for managing social media accounts,” you could say, “managed social media accounts for a Fortune 500 company, increasing engagement by 20%.” Decisive action verbs will also help to highlight your accomplishments and make you seem more qualified for the job. Here are a few examples of strong action verbs that you can use in your resume:
- Achieved
- Developed
- Executed
- Increased
- Led
- Managed
- Reduced
- Restructured
- Saved
- Secured
- Streamlined
- Transformed
Proofread Carefully
Check for spelling and grammatical mistakes before submission. Mistakes will seem unprofessional and reduce your chances of being invited for an interview. Adhering to the basic resume guidelines listed above. Don’t forget to utilize powerful action verbs, personalize your resume for each job you apply for, and reread it well before sending it.
Here are a few additional tips for writing a great resume:
- Be honest and accurate. Don’t lie or exaggerate your skills and experience.
- Be specific. Don’t just list your job duties. Instead, focus on your accomplishments and results.
- Use keywords throughout your resume. This will help your resume be noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Keep your resume concise. Aim for one to two pages, depending on your experience level.
- Ask others to review your resume and give you feedback.