We all have one but keeping it up to date seems like more of a tasks than anything. Resume's are the gateway into the work force and without one, your expeirence is as good as a blank sheet of paper. Even though it is a daunting thing, a Resume must be created and/or updated. When it comes down to it though, what should a person add and make sure to leave out to secure that dream job? Well, I have some solutions for you. So, grab that blank sheet and takes notes cause here are some tips to creating a winning resume.
Basic Tips
Do not try to cram every skill and work experience onto your resume.
Keep a resume outline witha full list of your qualifications.
Ditch the objective statement.
Put the most relevant information first.
Choose the right resume format for you.
Keep it concise.
Include relevant links.
Be aware of the ATS.
Resume Formatting Tips
Keep your resume format simple.
Stand out with ATS-friendly design elements
Avoid design elements that can't be "read" by computers.
Make your contact info prominent.
Design your resume for skimmability.
Work Experience Resume Tips
Keep your work experience recent and relevant.
Do not forget your transferable skills and experiences.
Write strong, achievement--focused bullet points.
Curate your bullet points and experiences
Use as many numbers as you can.
Do not neglect non--traditional work.
Use important keywords from the job description.
Resume Tips For Including Your Education
Put experience first, education later.
Also keep it in reverse chronological order.
Remove the dates from your education section once you're a few years into your career.
Highlight honors and achievements, not GPA.
Include continuing or online education.
Resume Tips For Showing Off Your Skills
Do not forget your skills section.
But do not only put your skills in your skills section.
Divvy up your skills for readability.
Show--don't tell---your soft skills
Other Resume Section Tips
Include relevant certifications and licenses.
Show some (relevant) personality.
Beware of interests and activities that could be controversial.
Add awards and achievements---when they are relevant.
Resume Tips For Navigating Employment Gaps And Other Sticky Resume Situations
Cut the short--term jobs.
If you have shorter gaps, be strategic about how you list dates.
Explain serial job hopping.
Explain a long break in jobs.
Be intentional about career gaps.
Tips On Resume Finishing Touches
Ditch "References available upon request"
Proofread, proofread, proofread.
Save it as a PDF or Word document.
Name your file clearly.
Keep your resume outline fresh.
I have also attached my current resume to give a basic idea on how an outline should be formatted. I know I am breaking some of the tips I wrote but, how I wrote the resume was how I was taught so it stays for now until I get further on in my career.
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