Your resume is so important when on the hunt for a new job. After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression – so you need to make sure it’s a good one.
Here are the essential elements of a killer resume.
Name and contact info
It kinda goes without saying, but let the company know who you are and how they can get in touch. Make sure your contact information is up to date and looks professional (i.e. no embarrassing email address).
Summary
Give a quick overview of your skills, background and abilities. This should all be relevant to the job you’re applying for or the career that you want to pursue.
Also include soft skills, such as good timekeeping, the ability to prioritize tasks and problem-solve.
Accomplishments
Your resume is your chance to sell yourself – so don’t sell yourself short. Include a list of your key accomplishments and career highlights.
For example, if you work in sales, make sure your number of achievements is in there. If you’re in a technical industry, include your certifications and any big projects you’ve been involved in.
Work experience
Show your relevant industry experience by listing your job history. This section should run in chronological order, with the most recent job first.
Include your job title, the company or place of work, and the dates of employment. You can also use bullet points to highlight some key responsibilities or achievements here.
Professional organizations and memberships
If you’re a member of an industry organization, such as a guild or professional body, include these on your resume. They can be a further indicator of your knowledge and skill set and show prospective employers that you’re interested in the industry.
Education
Although your work experience is important, many employers will want to see your education history. And if you’re looking to take your first steps in the world of work, this section is extra-important.
Include your education history, including school and college, along with years attended and any qualifications gained.
How to supercharge your resume
Want to take your resume to the next level? Here are some quick tips and tricks to make it extra-attractive:
- Keep it brief, easy to read and free of clutter – no prospective employer wants to read War and Peace, so make it punchy and avoid rambling sentences
- Use bullet points to highlight key points, as this makes it much easier to skim read
- Focus on the future – while it’s good to draw on your experience and achievements, do this in a way that shows you’re ready for the next stage in your career
- Avoid mistakes – typos and grammatical errors can indicate sloppiness and poor attention to detail, so ensure you sense check your resume (it can also pay to have a friend or family member proofread it to pick out any errors you may have missed)
Need a helping hand?
If you’re struggling to find your dream role or your resume is in need of a refresh, we can help. Our services for candidates include resume support, whether you’re starting from scratch or just tweaking and making small improvements.
Contact Chris Edward Consulting today to see how we can help.
