Are you all fired up and ready to rock that job hunt? Awesome!
But before you jump into the fray, let’s make sure you know exactly what to include in a resume to make it stand out.
Think of your resume as your personal marketing tool – a document that tells your story to potential employers. It’s like your ticket to the job interview party! Your resume is the first impression that employers will have of you, so it’s crucial to highlight your best qualities.
Let's take a closer look at the "must-haves" on your resume:
Contact Information
Make it easy for employers to reach out to you.
Include your name, phone number, email address, and your professional social media profile (like your LinkedIn profile). Keep it up-to-date and easily accessible, so employers can contact you right away.
Summary Statement
Give employers a quick overview of who you are and what you bring to the table.
Use this section to highlight your skills, qualifications, career goals, and why you’re the perfect fit for the job. Show employers what you bring to the table and why you’re the best candidate for the role.
Relevant Work Experience
Your exceptional experience sets you apart, giving you a competitive edge in the eyes of employers who highly value seasoned professionals.
Work experience is the heart of a resume, and it’s crucial to include relevant and recent positions. Provide detailed information about your job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and achievements in each role. Use bullet points, action verbs, and quantifiable results to make it easy to read and highlight your accomplishments.
Skills
Your skills are bound to catch the attention of employers.
You’ll be sure to catch the attention of potential employers by including a dedicated section for hard and soft skills, highlighting technical expertise, leadership qualities, and problem-solving abilities. Don’t forget to sprinkle in industry-specific keywords to make sure you’re easily discoverable by employers, whether or not they use an applicant tracking system.
Aside from knowing what to include in a resume, it's also equally important to know what to avoid. Keep your resume looking polished and professional by avoiding these:
Objective Statement
Say goodbye to the boring “objective statement” – it’s outdated and takes up valuable space. Instead, opt for a compelling summary that highlights your skills and career goals.
List Of References
Employers will ask for them separately if needed, so save that space on your resume.
Long Paragraphs
Avoid dense paragraphs that are difficult to read. Keep it easy to read with bullet points and short, impactful statements.
Unprofessional Email Address
Make sure your email address is professional and reflects your name or brand.
Example1: firstname.secondname@domain.com
Example2: firstname.secondname@gmail.com
Irrelevant Work Experience
Trim down the irrelevant roles and focus on the ones that demonstrate your skills and qualifications for the job you’re applying for.
Personal Information, Hobbies, And Interests
Keep your resume focused on your professional qualifications – save the personal information, hobbies, and interests for another time and stick to showcasing what’s directly related to the role.
