The most important thing in job search skills is learning to present your experience and abilities reasonably. A well-written resume and cover letter should “sell” you and prove to the employer that you are the perfect candidate.
A thousand job candidates apply for one vacancy. So, the word “competition” suits here. By sending a resume, you are participating in a real competition.
Now imagine: sometimes a recruiter works with 20 vacancies simultaneously — this is 20 thousand responses. To stand out and get on the list of “favorites,” follow the simple rules for making a perfect resume.
How To Make A Perfect Resume In 7 Easy Steps
A resume is a document created by a person applying for a certain position to represent their qualifications, skills, and achievements. It is necessary so that a recruiter can understand in seconds whether you are suitable or not.
The resume presents the future employee in a positive light, but at the same time, it can’t be false or pretentious.
The content of this marketing tool should be unique for each job application. Therefore, before making a resume, you should think about how best to present yourself, depending on the intended vacancy and work experience.
In the digital age, it is rare for a company to ask for a paper version of a resume. Electronic documents are usually considered. Recruiters receive them by email, view them on the company’s official website or analyze data from search engines.
To compile a self-presentation, you need to prepare all the documents confirming your education and work experience. This will make a recruiter concentrate on your personality.
So, how to make a resume correctly? If you feel you can’t write it yourself, you can always turn to the executive resume writing service, and experts will make a perfect resume for you.
But if you are sure of your writing abilities, then follow seven easy steps:
1. Write A Title
Usually, it is the surname and name of the applicant. If desired, you can start with the word “resume” and add your name.
2. Enter Contact Information
Write a valid phone number and email. The full address is usually not needed. The city is enough. In the same subparagraph, write the date of birth and marital status. If you wish, you can insert a good photo (but, of course, not from a party).
Below you need to write the goal, that is, the vacancy you are applying to. Sometimes applicants also indicate the desired salary.
3. Describe Work Experience In Reverse Order
Start with the company where you last worked and end with your first place of employment. If some type of work doesn’t relate to the profession, you are applying to. You can omit this information. Write down what your job responsibilities were.
Suppose you achieved specific positive results (for example, you doubled your sales in a year). In that case, it can be described in the current column or below by creating a separate “Achievements” paragraph. Don’t forget about additional courses, training, and seminars.
4. List Where You Received Your Education
Sometimes this column is written above the working experience, which is not entirely correct. The modern employer is interested in what you are capable of and not where you studied. Still, the paragraph shouldn’t be excluded entirely, especially if the education is specialized.
5. List Key Job Skills And Complementary Skills
Complementary skills usually include language competence, knowledge of computer programs, driving experience, etc. You shouldn’t copy this info from other applicants and deceive the employer. But you shouldn’t be modest either. This paragraph can be divided into two subcategories.
6. Add Additional Information
List the qualities that help you in your work life. If you use formulaic phrases like “stress resistance,” it is advisable to explain exactly how such character traits help in work. For example, you answered 50-100 claim calls daily without nervousness.
7. Check Grammatical And Lexical Mistakes
You must write the resume without mistakes. Let someone read your resume before you submit it. Illiteracy is a reason why some resumes are not even considered. This document must be perfectly written.
Basic Mistakes
According to experts, the top mistakes job seekers make are:
1. Missing Important Data
Most applicants have misconceptions about the importance of certain competencies for the employer. Therefore, they don’t indicate their crucial knowledge and skills.
Instead, find out exactly what a potential employer is looking for and show that you have the right skills. Then the recruiter will immediately understand that you are the most suitable applicant for the position.
2. Unsubstantiated Information
It is not enough to praise yourself. Confirmation of your achievements will be required. Then, having reported on the ability to sell, give an example of how you put it into practice. For example, you signed 100 contracts in a month.
3. Generalization
You can’t create a resume for all occasions. However, if you don’t set a goal and don’t describe work experience or achievements associated with a particular vacancy, recruiters will find it challenging to understand you.
4. Wrong Choice Of Words
Recruiters will reject even an experienced applicant’s resume if it contains jargon, clichés, and misused phrases. To reinforce a positive impression, use fewer nouns and more action verbs.
5. Negative
Your resume should contain only positive information about yourself. Under no circumstances should you criticize previous employers or describe difficulties or disappointments.
To Sum Up
Now you know how to write a good resume. It will help you get a good job and make more money. Remember, nothing is as important as work experience.
The second stage will be an interview where you must show all your professional qualities. So, after you have compiled a resume and posted it on a couple of job sites, it is not a reason to immediately relax and just wait for a call.
Be active. Post your resume on several websites at once, apply for vacancies yourself, search for the websites of companies you would like to work for, and find out if they need employees. Being active will increase your chances of finding your dream job faster.