It is important for your resume to reflect your unique education, experience, and relevant skills regardless of the style you use. Depending on the jobs you're applying for, you might consider tailoring different versions of your resume. Some important resume writing tips that will help you design and organise your resume are listed below.
These are 10 tips that will help you write an excellent resume.
1. Use keywords in your job postings
Reading the job postings that interest you is a good place to start when preparing a resume. Study each job description and look for keywords that describe what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate as you apply for different positions. Be sure to emphasize these keywords in your resume whenever possible.
When you're applying for a job, say a Medical Billing Coordinator, an employer might list keywords such as "coding," "claim submission," "compliance," or "arrangement management." in the job description. Make sure to pay attention to any requirements or qualifications listed under the "Requirements" section. Employers often look for the same skills on resumes, so you can include these skills in the experience or skills sections.
2. Analyse resume examples for your industry
In creating your resume, you might find inspiration and best practices in examples of resumes from your industry. In spite of the many ways you can use resume samples, here are three things you should look for:
Keep it simple and easy to read. Examples of resumes should be clear and concise. Usually employers only have a few minutes to read your resume, so it must be easily readable. Choosing a professional, clean font is also important.
Keep it short. This sample resume includes short and to-the-point sections, such as the summary and the experience descriptions. Only presenting the most important and relevant information provides employers with more information about you and helps them understand your suitability for the job more quickly.
Add numbers. Additionally, you will often see metrics listed in the experience section of resume samples. Employers are particularly responsive to metrics that demonstrate performance. It helps them understand your value in the role if you provide numbers. The experience description for an administrative assistant includes the following bullet point, “Performed processing of vendor contracts and implemented a standardized process to reduce discrepancies by 90%.”
Keep in mind that these samples aren't meant to be copied exactly. You should not use the samples as a template, but they can be useful for showing examples of top-notch resumes in your industry.
3. Select a professional font
It is important that your resume be as clear and easy to read as possible since most employers only have a limited time to review it. Arial or Times New Roman are good choices for a basic, clean font. Make sure your font is in the 10 to 12 font size range. It is beneficial to choose a clear, readable font for your resume.
Also, make sure to minimize or eliminate any unnecessary white space. Your resume might seem sparse if there is too much white space, which may distract the audience and raise a red flag. In order to make your resume more readable, you should reduce extra space on your resume so the reader can focus on the content instead of the white spaces. It is possible to decrease white space by increasing your font size to 12 points and perhaps adding an additional, optional section such as “Skills” or “Awards and Achievements".
4. Highlight the most important information and include only relevant information
It is important for your resume to be as brief as possible, while retaining key information, regardless of how much experience you have. Resumes are not read thoroughly by hiring managers. According to research, hiring managers only spend six seconds with each resume. It may distract from important information if your resume contains old or irrelevant information, such as jobs held more than ten years ago or minor degrees and achievements.
Employers will be interested in only the work experience, achievements, education, and skills most relevant to them. Read the job posting carefully to discover the most relevant qualifications. On your resume, highlight your key skills and accomplishments by placing them higher in the document.
5. Make your writing more active
Active language should be used on your resume without unnecessary words. Use words such as "accomplished," "earned," "completed". If your resume is too long or hard to read, you should consider shortening sentences and condensing ideas.
As an example, your job description may state:
“At Walmart Private Limited, I managed multiple team-based projects and helped each team member with a variety of tasks.”
The following can be shortened and strengthened from this example:
“Managed multiple team-based projects and effectively coordinated tasks.”
In the new version, your accomplishments are described similarly while fewer words are used and more active language is used.
6. Highlight important achievements
Select your top three or four most significant accomplishments from each role you held rather than listing your duties under the experience section. Indicate your success for that specific goal or achievement, if possible.
In addition, you might consider adding a separate "Achievements" or "Skills" section where you can describe relevant achievements in your education, career, volunteering, or other experiences.
7. Include only the sections and subheadings you need
There are some recommended sections on resumes you may not need, regardless of whether you're using a template or creating your own.
You may need either a resume summary or an objective on your resume, but not both. A section for your work history should not be left blank if you have just graduated from college or high school and have not held a professional position yet. The experience section could instead be replaced by relevant coursework, academic achievements, and other experiences, such as internships or extracurricular projects.
Adding more than two bullet points to a section can also be a good idea if you're having trouble filling it.
8. Select the appropriate margins
The margin size of your resume should be one inch on all sides with single spaces between lines. Your lines should be at least 1.15 inches apart if there is too much space on your resume.
When filling out your resume, you can also increase your margins, but they should remain under two inches.
9. Read and edit proofs
Your resume should be proofread several times before being submitted to ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Even though you can use several proofreading tools and programmes, it is also a good idea to have trusted friends or colleagues look over your resume. In order to find ways to correct or improve your resume, an objective third party should review it in the same way an employer would.
10. Check if different jobs require a different resume
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself this question before submitting any application: “Have I made it easy for this employer to see that I am qualified?’” You may require a different version of your resume if you're applying for a position with unique requirements. Consider each resume on a case-by-case basis.
To get an interview with an employer, your resume is often the first step. You should ensure your resume includes the most relevant information, arrange it to highlight the most important information, and review it for errors. Once you've polished and finalized your resume, you should be able to get more callbacks, interviews, and job offers.
Source:
https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/10-resume-writing-tips
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