In today's competitive job market, a well-crafted resume can go a long way. A strong resume showcases your skills, qualifications, and experience in a way that grabs the attention of potential employers. However, creating an effective resume is not that simple. It requires time, energy, and careful attention to detail.
In this blog, we will explore some essential resume dos and don’ts to help you optimize your resume and increase your chances of landing your dream job.
Resume Dos:
Do use a professional format:
Though you do want to stand out to potential employers, you don’t want it to be because of your resume format. Present your resume in a clean, professional format that is easy to read.
Use a consistent font, appropriate headings, and bullet points to organize information effectively. Remember, simplicity and clarity are key. Avoid using flashy designs or excessive colors that may distract the reader.
Do start with a compelling summary or objective statement:
Chances are that employers will spend most of their time looking at the first half of your resume. Thus, it is very important to make the introduction of your resume compelling. Your summary/objective is your hook: a chance to capture your reader’s attention and make them spend more time on your application.
Begin your resume with a concise summary or objective statement that highlights your strengths, career goals, and the value you can bring to the employer. This section should be tailored to the specific job and efficiently explain your interest in the position.
Do highlight specific accomplishments and results:
Your resume is a chance to make a case for yourself as a strong candidate. What better way to do this than with cold, hard, facts? Instead of simply listing job responsibilities, emphasize your achievements and the impact you made in previous roles.
Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, using numbers or percentages to showcase your contributions. This demonstrates your ability to deliver tangible results, which goes a long way in proving that you will add value to the role.
Do showcase your skills:
Yes, experience is crucial, but skills can be just as essential. Create a dedicated section to showcase your skills, including both hard and soft skills.
Hard skills refer to technical abilities specific to the job. Soft skills, on the other hand, are more versatile qualities such as communication, problem-solving, or leadership skills. Provide concrete examples of how you have utilized these skills in previous roles to make your application stronger.
Additionally, when you are lacking experience that may be desired for the job, this is where your skills can be critical. In this case, emphasizing your transferable skills is key. Though you don’t have the job history of the ideal candidate, you might have gained the necessary skills elsewhere. In other words, in some circumstances, skills can effectively supplement experience you may lack. They can serve to make your resume stronger.
Do tailor your resume to the job:
One size does not fit all when it comes to resumes. Each job application is unique. It is thus important to customize your resume to match each specific role description. Carefully read the job descriptions to pick out the most essential skills and experience. Then write your resume in such a way that highlights your training, positions, and achievements that best align with the position.
Tailoring your resume demonstrates that you understand the role and will make a valuable contribution to the organization. It also shows that you care enough about the job to put significant effort into your application.
Do optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems:
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. To increase your chances of passing through this initial screening, familiarize yourself with these systems and how to be noticed by them. For more advice on this, check out last week’s blog.
A good place to start with ATS-friendly resumes is to incorporate relevant keywords from the job description. Be mindful of the context and ensure the keywords are naturally integrated throughout your resume. It is also important to use formats such as PDF or .Docx that can be easily read by ATS and to utilize intuitive and common language for your headings.
Resume Don'ts:
Don't include irrelevant information:
Keep your resume concise and focused on relevant information. A good rule of thumb is to keep your resume under one page, especially if you are a recent graduate or have under ten years of relevant experience. If you have extensive experience, a slightly longer resume may be appropriate. However, you would almost never want a resume to be longer than two to three pages.
Hiring managers generally have limited time to sit with a resume, so it is best if you can keep resumes simple and to the point. Exclude details that are not directly related to the job or industry you're targeting like unrelated work experience or irrelevant hobbies.
Limiting the amount of information on the resume helps to hold the employer’s attention and makes it easier to find information regarding what makes you a good candidate.
Don't use vague or generic language:
When it comes to your achievements, experience, and skills, avoid using generic phrases or clichés that fail to differentiate you from other candidates. Instead, use specific and action-oriented language to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. This creates a stronger impact and conveys your unique value.
It’s important to note that this does not apply to headings. When it comes to headings, for the purpose of ATS, it is best to use standard and generic headings such as “Education” and “Skills”.
Don't include personal information:
It's unnecessary and unprofessional to include personal information like marital status, religion, or social media profiles on your resume (with the possible exception of LinkedIn). Also, because of discrimination laws in the United States, submitting a headshot is not allowed.
Focus on presenting your professional qualifications and let your skills and experience speak for themselves.
Don’t forget to check your work:
It seems obvious, but it is essential to check your work. Applying for jobs can be draining, so it is tempting to look your resume over once and want to be done with it. However, it is important to resist this temptation and make sure that you go through it thoroughly.
Spelling or grammatical mistakes can overshadow an otherwise standout resume. Careless mistakes create a negative impression and signal a lack of attention to detail. Proofread your resume thoroughly, making sure to take a break after writing it, so that you can look it over with fresh eyes. It is also a good idea to use spell-check tools and consider seeking feedback from others.
Wrapping Up:
Crafting an outstanding resume requires effort and careful attention to detail. By following these do's and don'ts, you can create a resume that stands out from the competition and increases your chances of securing your dream job.
Remember to tailor your resume to each position, highlight your achievements, and present information in a clear and concise manner. Your resume is your ticket to an interview, so make it count!
We wish you the best of luck in your job search. And if you are in need of more personalized advice, feel free to reach out to us at contact@quardev.com!
