November 12, 2020 ︱By: Elizabeth Williams
It is important now more than ever to have a strong resume. An employer will use your resume to learn more about you and to see if you are a good fit. That being said, you need to make sure your resume is well written and formatted. To give you some ideas on how to build your resume, I have put together 5 helpful tips.
1. Keywords in the job listing
The first step for preparing your resume is to CAREFULLY read the job posting
that interests you. When you start to apply to multiple jobs, you should study each job description for keywords that show what the employer wants. Then, incorporate those keywords into your resume. Pay very close attention to sections in the job description that say “Requirements” or “Qualifications.”
2. Resume Examples
When writing a resume, you should look up examples of resumes from the field you are applying to. It will help give you an idea of what employers are looking for in that field. There are so many ways you can use resume samples, but there are three main points you should see on the resumes.
The first point is to make it simple and easy to read. Resume samples should be straightforward because employers have a small amount of time to review your resume.
The second point is to make it brief, no employer wants to read an essay. Include only key points and relevant information.
The third point is to include numbers because employers are highly responsive to proven value. Numbers can give them a better understanding of the value you may bring to the job.
You should keep in mind that resume examples are not meant to be copied exactly. They are a tool you can use to help get started on writing a resume.
3. Format
Having a clear and easy to read resume is very important because you have to keep in mind that employers only have a short time to review it. Start by keeping your font size between 10 and 12 points. Only use basic, clean fonts like Times New Roman or Arial to make your resume appear more professional. You also need to reduce or eliminate any extra whitespace. By eliminating whitespace, the employer can focus on the content of your resume instead of all the extra blank space.
4. Most relevant and important information first
You may want to include everything you have done your whole life and show every accomplishment you have, but that won’t get you a job. Employers are looking for what skills can be used for the job. Only put jobs you have worked for in the past couple of years and the current college you go to.
As much of an accomplishment it is to graduate high school and get a AA in community college, employers don’t care about it. To them it is extra information they don’t need to know. Just keep in mind what is the most recent and important information they need to know that relates to their open position.
5. Proofread and Revise
Before you send your resume, make sure you have looked it over at least three times. You need to make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Try to find a trusted family member or friend to proofread. It is always a good idea to have another set of eyes on the document. If you download Grammarly it will let you know if you spell something wrong or if you messed up on punctuation.
Resumes don’t have to be stressful, as long as you follow these tips. Make sure to give yourself some time to brainstorm, research, and outline your resume. Remember that this is a reflection of you, so make sure it is good.
Works Cited:
10 Resume Writing Tips to Help You Land a Job. (2020). Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/10-resume-writing-tips
