Building a resume is an important step in landing your dream job. Your resume serves as a tool used to tell employers a little bit about yourself, your experiences, and what you can offer to their company. This first impression could be what makes or breaks your chance of getting an interview, so it is important that you keep several things in mind when creating your resume.
1. When creating your resume, keep in mind that in some instances it will be scanned by a computer system. In order to ensure the system will not filter out your resume, it is recommended that you create your resume with Microsoft Word then convert it into a PDF document. Converting it to a PDF will ensure that your resume will maintain its shape and format when viewed on another computer. One thing to be careful with is that if you decide to build a creative resume, be sure to convert this type of resume into a PDF as well. If you are unsure of how to start your resume, take advantage of the templates that Microsoft Word has to offer and turn it into your own to showcase your unique qualities.
2. As you begin to build your resume, it’s important that you tailor it to your specific industry. By doing this, your resume will stand out to the hiring manager and it will show your interest in the job. If you are unsure what style to send your resume, it helps to have a hard copy that serves as your traditional version and then your creative version. Sending both of these can show your potential employers your professional side as well as your creative side. If you are taking the creative route, make sure that you are properly showcasing your style and skills in a professional manner.
3. When it comes to the contents of your resume, be sure to stay consistent with your style. It is important that the font you choose is easy to read and isn’t overwhelming. Your font size should range between 10-12 pt. for the main body of your resume and between 16-22 pt. for your name. When It comes to listing dates, ensure to list them in reverse chronological order so that the hiring manager can see your most recent activity without having to search for it. A standard resume has three different categories: Identification, Education, and Professional Experience.
· Identification: In your header, you should include your name, your phone number, email address, and you can also include a URL link which can be your LinkedIn or your E-portfolio. By adding a URL link, you have a higher chance of being called back in comparison to someone who does not include a link.
· Education: For your education, you should include the name of your degree/major, date of degree completion, name of institution, and the location of the institution. Adding any minors, GPA, and academic honors to your education section is optional. Professional experience can include job titles, internships (paid or unpaid), volunteer services, etc.
· Professional Experience: Within your experience category you should include the position title, name of organization, location, and dates employed. Any experience and skills that you include should be related to the field you are applying for and should include keywords that hiring managers look for. Keywords vary from job to job but some of these keywords are things like leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking, organizational skills. Showcasing these skills within your experience category will make your resume stand out to applicant tracking systems.
If you are applying to a government-related job keep in mind that they use ATS (Applicant Tracking System). This system is used as a database to post positions and upload documents. ATS filters through keywords that are often looked for in resumes to help hiring managers sort through potential candidates for a job position. ATS can also help predict future employee performance along with providing background checks; so be careful with what you post online.
Your resume is an opportunity to make a great first impression, by keeping the things above in mind you are bettering your chance at standing out from hundreds of other resumes.