ALT-1 Resume Writing
Writing a resume is often seen as a daunting process, especially when just starting out or trying to get that dream job. Showcasing relevant skills and abilities to prospective employers in the best way possible takes some skill and know-how. Fret not, however, as valuable tips and tricks are outlined below to give you the best advice possible when undertaking this task.
• Use good titles
Many employers have to sift through hundreds if not thousands of applications, so make sure that your one stands out and use effective and descriptive titles.
Employers may also judge your resume in a matter of seconds, if the titles don't grab the attention then your resume will be tossed aside.
Here are two examples:
Bad title: Accounting
Good title: Management of A/R and Record keeping
Bad title: Teacher
Good title: Experienced Educator
• Don't seem too desperate
Know the purpose of your resume. Don't write long and boring pieces that make you look desperate and needy. The goal of the resume is to get an interview, and then hopefully it will be the interview that leads to getting the job.
Do not write a long list of all your talents, but connect your talents to what will make you profitable to the prospective employer. Connect your talents to real life work experiences. Explain how your skills can benefit the company.
• Proofread the resume a few times
Proofreading your resume is essential. One small typo or mistake or something not written correctly makes you look unprofessional, so proofread your resume and make sure that it is free from mistakes.
This includes layout - be sure that the fonts are no smaller than 11 on Microsoft Word, however 12 is best. Don't use fancy fonts; a simple and good resume will speak for itself, so stick to using Times New Roman and Arial fonts.
• First impressions
Put the most valuable and important skills at the start of the resume. The start of the resume is what will get seen. Previous work experience is often times the most important part of a resume, so list that at the start. List the most important skills first.
• Write a new resume for each prospective employer
This is something many do to save time, writing a single standard resume that can be sent to any employer. Rather tailor a suitable resume and cover letter to each employer. This will increase your chances of getting an interview. If an employer can detect that you are just using a standard resume, you have less chances of being hired as your interest in the company is diminished in the eyes of the employer. It is worth the effort.
• Don't add irrelevant information.
There is no need to write what your hobbies are unless they are skills that ware important to the job you're applying for. There is also no need to add your political party or religion.
Also, only write the most important of previous jobs. If you have had many, listing them all can make your resume unnecessarily long. If you have had 20 years of work experience there is no need to write you were a paper boy/girl at the age of 16.
Keep the resume professional and relevant.
• Short but sweet
Providing all the important information is added it is best to keep your resume as short as possible, around one or two pages is best.
These essential tips serve as a vital guide when writing a resume. Don't seem too desperate and needy, use effective and descriptive past job titles, proofread the resume a few times, and list the most important of skills at the top of the resume. Make sure to write a new and tailored resume to each job application. There is no need to add irrelevant information and it's best to keep the resume short but sweet.
