Your resume can make or break your chances of getting a job. You can think of this document as your marketing tool to make yourself more attractive in a recruiter’s eyes. This document outlines your skills and education, making it easy for your recruiters to assess whether or not you’re the perfect candidate to join their organization.
While there are countless templates available online, copying these for your resume doesn’t always guarantee a job. Experienced recruiters have examined thousands of resumes, and they can easily identify if yours were solely copied from the internet. Using a generic resume can create a negative impression and can even become the reason why you won’t get your dream job.
If you don’t want these to happen, increase your chances of getting a job by producing a great resume.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Use Keywords Present In The Job Opening
If you’re clueless on how to make a great resume, start by going through the job posts of the position you’re eyeing to apply. Carefully read its job description, and look for keywords that identify what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Add these keywords to your resume.
For example, if you’re applying for an accountant, the employer might include keywords like “examine statements,” “comply with state laws and regulations,” and “compute taxes.” Adding these keywords to your resume can easily catch the attention of the employer and increase your chances of being shortlisted.
If you’re leaning towards this direction, make sure that you don’t go overboard and copy all the keywords present in the job description. Word counter applications can help you determine if your resume already has too many words.
2. Choose A Simple Font
2. Choose A Simple Font
Your resume isn’t the platform for you to highlight your efficacy in using different fonts in one document. Using complex or different fonts will not only make your resume hard to read, but it can also indicate your unprofessionalism.
If you want to create a positive impression, use a basic font for your resume. Simple fonts, like Times New Roman and Arial, are great options as these are clean and readable. Most importantly, using these fonts in your resume can make you appear more polished and professional.
As for the size, it’s best if you keep it at 10 to 12 points. If you want to highlight certain keywords or subheadings in your resume, set these texts in bold or underline them.
3. Only Include Subheadings That Are Relevant To Your Experience
3. Only Include Subheadings That Are Relevant To Your Experience
When using other resumes for template or inspiration, make sure that you don’t add sections to your resume that are irrelevant to your experience or background. Adding a subheading or section without any content can make your resume look unfinished or poorly-prepared.
For example, if you want to provide an outline of your skills and background, decide if you’re going to add a resume summary or resume objective. You should only choose one as these serve the same purpose.
Moreover, if you recently graduated from college or high school and don’t have any work experience yet, don’t add an empty work history section in your resume. Instead, create another subheading or section that highlights your academic achievements, such as your doctoral degree or experiences in internships and extracurricular activities.
4. Fit Everything In One Page
4. Fit Everything In One Page
There’s no set-in-stone rule when it comes to the number of pages your resume should have. But, if you want all of your information to be concise and make the employer’s time worthwhile, avoid submitting resumes that come in two pages or more. As much as possible, your resume should only be a one-page document.
If you have years of experience in different industries and you’re struggling to fit everything in one page, assess which among your experiences are appropriate to the job you’re applying for. When applying for an online marketer position, you can exclude adding your experience as a part-time tutor for two months in your resume.
You can increase your chances of getting a job if your resume only highlights your relevant and important experiences, credentials, and training. Plus, a one-page resume will also be very easy for employers to review.
Work On Your Resume
Although a resume is just a document, its content can speak a lot about your employability. A well-prepared and comprehensive resume can be your ticket to land a stable job and eventually build a career. Over time, this document can also influence the quality of your life.
Make sure that your resume works in your favor by improving its content and appearance. The time and effort you’ll exert in this process will be worth it once you’re able to land the job of your dreams!
