Writing a resume requires attention to detail to land an interview for the job that you’ve always wanted. All you have to do is present a professional brand in a way that will capture the heart of the hiring manager. There are multiple ways to write a resume. The tips that we are about to share with you will help you present the valuable skills that you possess together with your top achievements. Here are eight simple steps that will help you write the best resume.
1. Preparation is key
You’ll need to prepare a few things before you start writing. Remember, every resume that you are going to the right will be customized to a particular role. Therefore, you should consider seeking resume help. Here is a simple checklist that will help you obtain all the information that you need:
- Review the job ad: The heart of your resume is blending your experience with accomplishments and tailoring them to the relevant job opening. After searching for job openings that match your interests in the industry, you need to make a resume that is relevant to your job.
- List all the skills needed: Create a list of all the skills that you have and group them into several categories such as soft, technical, and hard skills. Soft skills include customer service, teamwork, and communication. Hard skills include strategic planning, business development, and language to name a few. Technical skills are any programs related to your industry that you are experienced in. Ensure that you can mix different skill types and prioritize the ones that have been listed on the job ad.
- Highlight the key duties of your previous positions: Write an overview of your key duties. You should focus on duties that are related to the qualifications listed on the job ad.
- List your achievements: Showing the impact of your work is important because it allows employers to review your contributions. Include numbers and data to tell your story accurately. This will help in solidifying your effectiveness in company projects.
2. Write your career objective
The purpose of a professional summary is to grab the employer’s attention and express your biggest career goals is not more than five sentences. Most hiring managers spend a lot of time on this section. Therefore, you should customize it to the relevant job posting. Most job applicants use CV editing services because it helps in saving time. A summary is an industry standard that describes your accomplishments in an active voice. Career objectives are useful for people who have no experience in a particular field. To write this section perfectly, you need to:
- Focus on your key strengths
- Demonstrate what you’ve learned from previous experiences
- Focus on your main goals
3. Capture important skills
A good list of skills helps employers know more about your technical acumen together with soft and hard skills. Look at the list that you created while making preparations and focus on those that are listed on the job ad. Listing relevant skills will make it easier for your resume to pass through the tracking system that most employers use. The tracking system usually searches for keywords on resumes. Therefore, it’s important to list the skills using the language that was used on the job ad. Here are some of the skills that you should add to your resume:
- Soft skills: Personality traits that make you ideal for the job
- Hard skills: Skills that can be taught, learned, and measured. They don’t have to be relevant to the industry
- Technical skills: They can be program or industry-specific. They require certification or a certain level of education.
4. Write the work experience section
Every employer will want to see how remarkable you are in the workplace. Your work experience needs much more than a list of responsibilities. Numbers are results matter a lot. You need to prove the effects of your work using metrics or data.
5. Complete the resume
Now that you are about to complete your resume, it’s time to focus on the important details of your document. Listing your qualifications will help you prove to your employer that you are a good fit. To start, your contact information should be written professionally. Ensure that it is accurate and up to date. Include a link to your social media profile, the awards that you’ve won, and a link to your website if it’s applicable.
6. Use the right format
You need to use a format that best fits your experience and level of work. This will help you focus on the most important sections. Most job seekers use the chronological format. However, if you don’t have an employment history, you should use the functional format.
7. Choose a resume template
To make the best decision, look at the industry and your employer. You should always go for the traditional template when applying for jobs in the law and banking industry. However, a modern template works for most industries.
8. Proofread your work
Go through your resume and look at the dates and spelling of the organization. Correct all spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors. If you cannot proofread your work, consider sending the document to a friend or hiring a professional to do the work for you.
Conclusion
Making preparations and consulting professionals when you get stuck will pay off in spades when writing your resume. A well-written resume will help you land your dream job and achieve your biggest goals in life.
