How you can Write an excellent Resume

Keeping your resume updated is always a wise move, whether you’re actively job hunting or considering a career change. The job market is competitive, so how can you ensure your resume stands out? How do you approach the task of writing your resume?

Fear not. We’re here to share some valuable resume writing tips that cater to a variety of job seekers. Whether you’re a newcomer creating your first resume or a career shifter needing assistance to present your experience and skills as valuable assets.

Resume Writing Tips: Consider These 6 Key Factors

If you’re seeking guidance on crafting your job-seeking tool, here are some practical pointers to keep in mind when composing your resume.

1. Work Smart, Not Hard

Before delving into your resume, define the role you’re applying for. Instead of sending out numerous generic resumes, focus on one or two specific positions. This approach saves you the hassle of tailoring your resume repeatedly.

Moreover, this strategy allows you to contemplate your career path and goals. Evaluate if the potential job aligns with your career aspirations.

2. Be Specific and Concise

One of the key resume writing tips is precision, especially valuable for candidates with diverse work backgrounds and a range of skills. Once you’ve pinpointed the desired position, tailor your resume content accordingly. Irrelevant skills and work history only lengthen your resume. Given that hiring managers sift through countless resumes daily, ensure every detail you include is pertinent.

If you’re uncertain about content, particularly when switching career paths, consult the job description. And remember, customize your cover letter for the specific job you’re aiming for, not your current role.

3. Avoid Unnecessary Details

Steer clear of “I,” “me,” and “my.” These pronouns are implied when you talk about yourself, making their use redundant. Additionally, it conserves space, however minimal. Every inch of your resume (ideally limited to a single page) is prime real estate that shouldn’t be squandered on extraneous words.

4. Keep Vital Information Above the Fold

Given that hiring managers often skim through resumes, it’s essential for job seekers to ensure that crucial details are visible without scrolling (located in the upper half of the resume). This approach increases the likelihood that hiring managers will read the information that distinguishes you as a standout candidate.

5. Customize the Template

Employing a template is acceptable, but remember that it’s just a guide. Failing to modify the template is unoriginal and limiting, implying a lack of adaptability. Moreover, adhering strictly to the template could hinder your presentation of strengths. You are the best judge of what facets to highlight, so tailor the template to effectively showcase yourself.

6. Embrace Current Trends

Staying relevant in the resume game is crucial. Contemporary resume writing trends are centered on integrating technology and the digital landscape. A few of these trends include:

• • Incorporating Social Media Information

More hiring managers examine candidates’ social media presence to gauge professionalism. Save them the trouble by providing your links. However, only do so if your profile is curated and devoid of unprofessional content. If you deem your profiles unfit for the professional realm, make them private.

• • Including a Digital Portfolio

This is particularly pertinent for creative fields. Linking to your portfolio eliminates the need for a physical one and allows hiring managers to readily view your skills.

• • Making Resumes and Related Documents Mobile-Friendly

With many job-seeking platforms having mobile apps, and emails being frequently accessed on mobile devices, crafting a resume that reads well on phones is wise.

• • Prioritizing Visual Appeal

Create an eye-catching header to capture hiring managers’ attention. However, avoid sacrificing readability for aesthetics. Use visual elements strategically, such as highlighting accomplishments.

• • Trimming Outdated Sections

This includes objectives and character references. While you need not omit references entirely, understand that interviewers may request them. It’s generally assumed you possess references, making it appear presumptuous to include them.

Resume Writing Tips: Selecting and Employing the Optimal Format

Different resume formats emphasize varying aspects, so opt for the most suitable one based on your objectives. We’ve outlined various types of resume formats and the contexts in which they excel, aiding you in determining the best fit.

Select your resume format prior to initiating the writing process. Your storytelling approach will differ for each format.

1. Chronological Resume

A chronological resume arranges your work history from most recent to earliest. It showcases the various roles you’ve held over time and proves particularly effective for individuals with substantial work experience. However, it may not suit job seekers with employment gaps due to unemployment, breaks, or terminations.

2. Functional Resume

Addressing the gaps mentioned earlier, the functional resume is suitable for those with work history gaps. This format highlights skills, responsibilities, and accomplishments from past positions. It omits dates, making it beneficial for individuals with employment gaps. Additionally, it’s advantageous for career shifters, demonstrating to hiring managers that you can compensate for a lack of direct experience with relevant skills.

3. Combination Resume

The combination resume format merges the two previously mentioned formats to harness their strengths. You list your roles and achievements in chronological order, beginning with the most recent. This format caters to job seekers who have engaged in diverse roles.

4. Targeted Resume

Targeted resumes come into play when a job seeker’s career history encompasses both relevant and unrelated positions to their desired job roles. To adopt this format, sift through your professional history and group relevant experiences, placing them prominently. However, only list unrelated positions if they detract from highlighting your relevant qualifications.

Resume Writing Tips: Focusing on the Content

Once you’ve chosen a resume format, it’s time to craft your resume content. Here are valuable resume writing tips to assist you in various aspects of the content creation process.

1. Design and Presentation

As outlined in the general resume writing advice, aim for a balance between visual appeal and readability. To create a resume that rivals the experts’, employ your visual elements strategically to segment different sections of your resume. Utilizing bullet points can emphasize critical aspects, such as achievements. Bulleted points facilitate faster reading and also break up lengthy paragraphs, which can strain the reader’s focus. Furthermore, ensure a harmonious white space distribution in your resume. Too little white space results in a cramped appearance, while excessive white space leads to a sparse layout. Strike the right equilibrium to optimize your resume’s visual appeal.

2. Storytelling

One of the key resume writing principles is understanding that you’re crafting a narrative. Thus, remember the storytelling principle of “show, don’t tell” when composing your resume.

Employ impactful power words to convey your qualities and express facets of your personality. Integrate skills and responsibilities that align with the job description into your resume. However, these words hold weight when substantiated with evidence.

As such, always accompany self-descriptions with your accomplishments. For instance, stating “reduced stock checking time by 20% in 2020” makes a more powerful statement than “efficiently managed stock for three years.” Don’t shy away from incorporating relevant figures and data to bolster your claims. If you choose to include these accomplishments, having documented proof is advisable.

Furthermore, don’t hesitate to take credit for contributions made in previous roles. The notion that you shouldn’t is unfounded. However, claiming sole credit for a group effort isn’t recommended, as it compromises integrity. Demonstrating teamwork is highly valued by managers.

3. Work Experience

Typically, job seekers should only include relevant work experience in this section. This is particularly important if your work history is extensive and diverse. Highlight the most recent and pertinent roles you’ve held, placing them at the forefront.

However, there’s an exception to this resume writing tip for career shifters. Career shifters can benefit from including seemingly “unrelated” roles in their resumes. Certain skills acquired in different roles can transfer well across industries, such as soft skills (like communication). You need to justify how this “unrelated” experience contributes to company growth.

4. Education

The education section is typically placed towards the end of a resume, especially for job seekers with established work histories. However, if you’re a recent graduate from a reputable institution, positioning your education near the beginning of the resume might be advantageous. Nevertheless, if you possess relevant experience in nonconventional roles (such as volunteering or managing company events), it’s better to place that information before your education.

Compiling the education section itself is straightforward. Include your degree(s) and any honors received. If applicable, provide dates and your GPA. Don’t forget to mention ongoing courses or degrees you’re pursuing.

In this section, you can also incorporate relevant training sessions and seminars you’ve recently attended and completed.

Additional Resume Writing Tips to Keep in Mind

Before finalizing your resume and sending it out, make sure to go through it while considering these supplementary aspects.

1. Using Keywords

Many companies are now screening resumes through an applicant tracking system (ATS), designed to scan resumes for keywords. While companies may not disclose the keywords their ATS is searching for, job seekers can minimize guesswork by referencing the job description. Typically, employers use keywords that match the requirements in their job listings. Verifying the use of relevant keywords in your resume is crucial to ensure it reaches the hiring manager’s attention.

2. Saving in Appropriate File Formats with Clear Filenames

Saving your files solely in the .docx format isn’t recommended, as it might compromise formatting. Hence, it’s advisable for job seekers to save a copy of their resume as a PDF. PDFs retain the formatting and layout meticulously crafted. Nonetheless, it’s also practical to have a .docx version, given that certain applicant tracking systems struggle with reading PDFs.

Regardless of the chosen file format, it’s crucial to give your file a clear name, indicating your first and last name along with the type of document, such as “resume” or “cover letter.”

3. Sending the Resume and Proper Attachments

When submitting your application, ensure you’re including all required documents. Adhere to the instructions outlined in the job listing.

If sending a physical copy of your resume and additional materials, ensure the print quality is high, and the documents are free from stains, folds, or damage. Neglecting the physical presentation could convey carelessness to potential employers.

4. Crafting an Appropriate Cover Letter

Cover letters can make a significant impact on your application. Their presence sets you apart from the competition. It’s essential to ensure your cover letter aligns with the job description and effectively conveys why you’re a qualified candidate for the position. Your cover letter serves as a platform to demonstrate not only your interest in the role but also your enthusiasm for the company.

If you’re uncertain about writing your cover letter, you can refer to our article on creating an impressive cover letter for guidance.

Resume Writing Tips: Crafting Your Own or Seeking Professional Help?

After reviewing our resume writing tips, you should be equipped to create an excellent resume on your own. However, if you still doubt your writing abilities or believe that someone else could do a better job, it’s perfectly acceptable to desire a higher chance of securing a job interview.

You might consider consulting the services of professional resume writers. How do you decide whom to consult? Which service provides value for your investment? Which resume writing services are reputable? Don’t worry. Best 10 Resume Writers has compiled a list of the top professional resume writing services for the year 2023!

Once you’ve submitted those resumes, it’s important to prepare yourself to excel in potential interviews. Make sure you have a list of to-dos before the interview. Explore our tips and resources for interview preparation to overcome any interview jitters. If you’re interested in consulting professional interview coaches, our list of the best interview coaching services is at your disposal. Armed with these insights, you’ll be better positioned to ace the interview and secure that dream job!