Resumes are all about advertising an individual’s core abilities, proficiencies, and work experience to potential employers. Their definition may seem easy; but not their preparation. Careful thought, reflection, and logical expression of ideas are essential in preparing a quality resume. There are numerous resume tips available online and in hard copies to assist individuals write resumes that can entice the attention of employers. The online resume examples can be of assistance in offering resume tips.
Individuals should always choose a resume style that best suits their job experience and the targeted position. The notion of ‘one size fit all’ should be discarded as there are many different styles like the functional, chronological, and electronic resume.
Here you will find the best resume writing tips you can ever find on the Internet. Resume tips is divided into various sub categories like top 10 tips to write a perfect resume, professional resume writing tips, resume preparation tips, resume format tips, resume cove letter tips, resume style, etc. Under each of the sub categories there is well researched and information on how to better your resume writing. Once you get hold of the information available on the site your job applications will prove simpler and enjoyable.
Professional Resume Writing Tips:
A professionally done resume can make the difference between getting that interview or not. Employers have to go through and process thousands of applications for a single vacant position. Decisions are made in split seconds due to the lack of time for analyzing each application with closer scrutiny. You resume is your first form of personal contact with your employer; you must make a good first impression.
The design you use for your resume is crucial. You must be able to catch the reader’s attention with the most important aspects of your resume which may include your work experience, educational background and skills that are relevant to the position for which you are applying.
When writing about your work experience and educational background or skills, use terms that match the requirements of the job you are applying for e.g. if you are an accountant who has dealt with accounts and record keeping in the past, you may represent this as the management of accounts payable/receivable when applying for an accounts payable/ receivable management position.
Analyze the job advertisement for any key words that may have been included by the employer. This will help you tailor your resume to suit the organizations’ needs. You should also try to anticipate other needs that the organization may have that were not included in the advertisement and work them into your resume e.g. an employer looking for a manager will require someone who can liaise with other departments and create partnerships within and outside the company. In applying for such a position you ought to be able to show how you have used your skills for creating beneficial partnerships.
Resume Preparation Tips:
You have all the right qualifications but you just can’t seem to get anyone to call you back for an interview for any of the positions you have applied. There may be a problem with your resume. How about applying some of these great resume preparation tips to give you an edge over the competition?
When preparing your resume you must keep in mind that your resume is a tool for self marketing. All your actions in the preparation stages should be geared towards presenting yourself as the best candidate for the position. You should also note that many employers spend an average of 20 seconds on each resume that reaches them. This means your resume must be outstanding for you to be considered.
In the preparation of your resume, ensure that the design you use is visually appealing and the layout is simple and easy to read. Many people opt to photocopy their resumes and distribute them because it costs less. If this is the path you want to follow, ensure your copies are clear and clean.
Experience, academic qualifications and personal as well as professional skills are some of the most important aspects of your resume. Ensure that these are highlighted and tailored towards meeting the employer’s needs. Avoid including experience that is irrelevant to the employers needs unless it demonstrates a characteristic that the employer may be interested in.
It is a myth that longer resumes display more experience and achievement. Considering the few seconds employers spend on each resume, you would be better placed to have a concise resume with the most important aspects well highlighted. Be sure to go through your resume once you are through with its preparation to avoid errors in grammar, typography and spelling that would make you appear careless.
Resume Format Tips:
Making a good first impression is absolutely crucial when it comes to getting that job. You are up against a lot of competition and even the slightest mistakes can cost you what could have been your dream job. Your resume tells your employer a lot about you even before you have a face to face meeting. Choosing the right format can make you get noticed and called in for an interview. The designs used for resumes are numerous but the general format used for different resumes can be broadly classified into two categories; the skills format and chronological format.
If you are a person with a steady work history, the chronological format would be ideal for you. In this format, your career history is listed from the latest to the earliest. This format is ideal if you want to portray dependability and responsibility. An employer can easily assess your professional growth and development from your resume.
There are those of us however who are just entering the job market, returning to the employment market after some period of absence, have had unsteady careers or have gaps in their work histories. These individuals should not use the chronological format as it will highlight the lack of experience or periods of unemployment. These individuals would be advised to use the skills format.
Your personal and professional skills are the highlight of the skills format resume. Any work or volunteer experience is used to demonstrate the application of the skills listed. This format allows you to include voluntary and unpaid work experience. In addition, it allows you to show that you have had some practical work experience without forcing you to list the exact dates when you were working.You can use both formats in a single resume and come up with a hybrid format for your resume. The combination of the two formats will help you highlight the good and hide the unpleasant.
