Tips on Creating the Perfect Resume to Jump-Start Your Career

Today’s job market is highly competitive. Thus, writing a perfect resume is essential in landing your dream job. Your resume is the document that will serve as your potential employer’s first impression of you. As such, it needs to be strong, concise, and attention-grabbing. But how do you create a resume that truly stands out?

This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to draft the perfect resume that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and achievements. Follow the tips below to increase your chances of landing that interview.

Write Your Resume With Your Intended Audience in Mind

Recruiters don’t care about all your previous experiences. They only seek skills and experiences related to the position you are applying for. Thus, it is vital to research the company and role before you start writing that resume. Knowing what kind of vision and mission they have will help you highlight your qualities to show that you are the best candidate for the job.

Make sure that your resume is ATS-friendly. Applicant tracking system (ATS) is a computer software program designed to collect and sort thousands of resumes. It will scan the resumes and assign it a score. When your resume has keywords relevant to the job description, you will be given a higher score and move on to the next stage – when a human will see your resume.

Include a Summary

Make sure to write a summary that will leave a powerful impression. Though rare, adding a summary will add some clarity and context to what your resume is about. Have you been career-hopping for the last few years? This is your chance to explain your reasons and motivations and how it ties with your experience and growth. Consider what recruiters want to know about you and use that as your guide for writing a compelling summary.

Highlight Your Achievements

Instead of mindlessly listing all your past duties and responsibilities in previous companies, focus on your accomplishments. Include details of successful campaigns and provide examples of achievements with quantifiable results. Have you helped increase company sales in the past? Add details like your level of participation and the percentage of sales increase you’ve achieved.

Choose the Right Resume Format and Design

While the resume’s content is the most important, writing something visually appealing and easy to read doesn’t hurt. The first thing recruiters will notice is how your resume looks; thus, it is your chance to grab their attention and make a great first impression. That’s why choosing the best resume format with a clean and professional design is essential.

The three most common types of resume formats are functional, reverse chronological, and combination. The latter is best suited for job seekers with diverse skill sets and years of previous experience. The reverse chronological format is the most popular and most favored by recruiters.

Make Sure to Proofread

Before you hit submit on that resume, make sure to proofread it. Read everything a few times and check for spelling, punctuation, or grammatical mistakes. If you’re still unsure, have someone else check the document for any typos or grammar errors you might have missed. Even better, if you have a professional contact, ask them to check.

On to the Next Step!

Now that you’ve finished creating a compelling resume, it’s time to think about the next step. That’s right, you also must think about your cover letter and upcoming interviews. Don’t get overwhelmed by the thought of writing a cover letter. Just think of it as sending a direct message to the hiring manager.

Next, it’s time to prepare for the job interview. Remember that most interviewers ask the same questions, so you must learn to answer them truthfully and confidently.