1. Use a professional format
A resume is an extension of who you are, except that you are judged by potential
employees based on what they see on paper. Therefore, your resume should look professional.
You can do this by employing the following techniques:
- A font size of 11 or 12 will do to keep your resume readable.
- Stick to Arial or Times New Roman font.
- Stay away from fancy colors and fonts and stick to black.
2. Provide a correct and specific objective
Keep this in mind: always start your resume with a clear objective. To formulate this, remember the company or industry’s needs then build yourself on that. Once you get the hiring officer’s attention, you are sure to get a call from them in just a few days.
3. Highlight your educational details
This is an essential part of your resume. Where you studied, what course you took, and any
educational qualifications and achievements must be included in your resume. At the same
time, put emphasis on this especially if you don’t have any work experience. Don’t forget to
place this portion at the start or in the center of your resume since the middle area often catches the recruiter’s attention.
4. Enumerate specific experiences
Aside from your education, your work experiences are also important in your resume. Include your previous jobs, any accomplishments, and the difference you made to your previous employer/s. Numbers and percentages are required in this area. You can also use boldface to highlight your accomplishments but use this feature carefully.
5. Showcase your skills
Here’s the thing: recruiters want to go past the usual answers. If you want your resume to stand
out, then make sure to include the skills and qualities that make you unique and a perfect
candidate they need for the job.
6. Include testimonials from previous employers
What’s the point of all these numbers and words when not backed up by evidence? The best
way to prove that you are worthy of the position is by providing testimonials from your former boss, colleagues, or clients. Testimonials could be your third-party vouchers and a nice break
from the paragraphs and bullet points on your resume.
7. Finalize the details to ensure proper sequence
Now that you supplied the necessaries that tell the prospective employer that you are the best candidate, it’s time to finalize the details and make sure they are in their proper sequence. Keep in mind that correct sequence is also crucial in making your resume stand out. You cannot start enumerating your skills and hobbies without laying down your objective. In other words, start with the industry- or company-specific objective, enumerate your educational attainment and work experiences, then the research papers, seminars attended, and hobbies go last.
8. Check for any grammatical errors
Aside from ensuring the proper sequence, your resume should also be free from grammatical
errors. Don’t forget that your resume is an extension of who you are. Any signs of
unprofessionalism or rushed work will show in your resume – and the recruiters will know.
Before forwarding it, read it out loud and check for any errors. After all, a slight mistake could
leave a bad impression on a potential employer.
9. Maintain an online profile
In a world where having a social media account is a must, make sure that you have your own
online profile too – and it goes beyond your Facebook or Instagram account. A LinkedIn profile is a good place to start because it connotes more professionalism.
In relation to your online profile, make sure that your social media accounts follow proper
decorum. There are cases wherein recruiters check your online accounts too, so think before you post.
10. Keep your resume up to date
Last but not the least; don’t forget to update your resume. If you have new experiences, skills, or courses to add to showcase your professional development, then include them in your resume. This way, you won’t forget important details that not only makes your resume attractive but could also help boost your chances of hiring.
A resume is your professional personality – on paper. Aside from these 10 tips, don’t forget to
tailor your resume to the job you are applying for to boost your chances of landing an interview.
More importantly, be honest about what you include in your resume. You will go a long way if
you do.
