A resume is a quick guide to your work experience, education, and skills. It should look professional and only one page in length. Submitted along with an application and a letter of interest, it can be a huge selling point for potential employers. The information you share should encourage them to reach out for an interview. A properly built resume is a chance for you to put your abilities into the spotlight!
Format
Take a look at the various formats for a resume. There are plenty to choose from. There isn’t a right or wrong option. The goal is to offer something that looks professional and it is easy to read. You may decide to try your resume in a few different formats to determine what looks best. The format should remain the same throughout the document.
As an added note, buy quality paper for your resume printing! It should feel different and look a bit different. It will get noticed in the pile of them that come in for a particular job. If you plan to send it electronically, make sure the format isn’t going to get lost in that email process. You don’t want it to be a jumbled mess when the other party opens it!
Contact Details
The top of your resume should include your contact details. Your full name, address, email address, and phone number are common details to share. Make sure all of the information is correct too. If you mistype your email address or phone number, they may struggle to get in touch with you.
Headline and Purpose
While it may seem obvious what the purpose of your resume is, make sure you include it! The resume should be structured to validate why you are the best match for a given job. Carefully read the full job description. Capture keywords and points and then use them in your headline and purpose statement. This is going to grab the attention of the reader. It also helps if they have multiple job postings listed at the same time.
Keywords and Skills
Employers know they can train someone to do a job well if they have the right skills. What can you bring to them that would make you a top candidate? Don’t be afraid to share your exceptional qualities. Carefully select keywords and skills that you want them to know about. A bullet point format is a good way to do this and ensure it looks good in print.
Education and Certificates
Summarise your education including where you attended, dates of attendance, and any degree or certificate you earned. If you completed training courses to enhance your education along the way, include them too. This shows you have the desire to learn and stay on top of the field you are in.
Work Experience
Summarise your work experience including who you worked for, the dates, and your direct supervisor. On your application, you can include the specific details they may ask for. This can include why you no longer work there, if they can contact that employer, and how much you were paid to work there.
