Searching for a job is a competition –think of all the other applicants you have to beat. A resume is like an advertisement of you; it needs to impress the recruiter at every possible level. A successful resume clearly conveys that you are the best candidate for the job and will secure you as many interviews as possible. To help you make a great first impression, your resume must include what employers are looking for, which is:
Experience
Recruiters want a resume that tells a story about your career progression. This helps them identify whether you are a good fit. Provide relevant experience and emphasize key responsibilities you’ve held that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Also, clearly detail where you added value and your contributions to any high-profile projects. Use job titles that give an idea of the kind of work experiences you’ve had over time.
Skills
Most jobs require specific skills. Recruiters don’t expect you to possess every single one of them, but they will surely use it as filtering criteria. Relevance is vital here; so try to include hard skills that relate to the job you are applying for. Don’t forget to include your soft skills as they help define your character and how well you can relate to others.
Results and Achievements
It’s one thing to say what you’ve done, but it’s quite another to back up with actual data. Recruiters love to see hard numbers, so if you’ve accomplished anything, be sure to state it as amounts or percentages. Use words like ‘increased sales by 20%’ or ‘reduced costs by 10%’. Achievements are also impressive to HR managers. They don’t have to be professional; they can be personal achievements like raising money for charity or completing a marathon. This shows that you can achieve goals outside work and achieve work-life balance.
Format and Label
You may possess all the desired qualifications, but if you can’t document them clearly, you probably won’t be getting those interview calls anytime soon. The format should be simple, easy to read, detailed in a chronological manner, and consistent throughout the CV. There are several PDF CV examples online to help you come up with the right design for your resume.
Education
Listing your educational development seems obvious. However, a good resume will point out how an applicant’s educational qualification matches the job they are applying for. If you’ve studied independently or taken online courses, be sure to include that as it shows your ability to work off your own initiative and an enthusiasm for learning.
No Inconsistencies
Hiring managers have gone over thousands of resumes and can spot a lie from a mile. A CV should be written in reverse chronological order while being as consistent as possible. Any gaps in your employment history must be explained –be honest about it. Any inconsistencies in the achievements and responsibilities you’ve included will be subject to closer scrutiny.
Relevant Language
Keep in mind that you only have a few seconds to catch the recruiter’s attention. Therefore, create a list of the job requirements that match your experience and use them as keywords throughout your resume. Also, ensure your language mirrors that of the job advert. For instance, avoid using technical language, even if you are applying for a tech position, as the person reading your CV may not be tech-savvy, but will know what to look for.
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