Things You Need To Know About Resumes

Jan 18, 2023 / By Admin

Tailor your resume to the specific job or industry you are applying for it shows that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in the position. Here are a few ways to tailor your resume:

Use the same language and keywords as the job description: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, so using the same language and keywords as the job description can increase your chances of getting past the initial screening.
Highlight relevant experience: Tailor your resume by highlighting the experience and skills that are most relevant to the position.
Show how you can add value: Tailor your resume by showing how your experience and skills can help the company achieve its goals.
Research the company culture: Tailor your resume by researching the company culture and tailoring your resume to fit that culture.

Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities

Action verbs help to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities in a way that is active and engaging. They also help to highlight your key skills and experiences. When describing your responsibilities, use action verbs to start phrases, and make sure they are specific and quantifiable. This will help to show the hiring manager the impact you had in your previous role, and how you can bring that impact to the new role.

Keep your resume concise and easy to read

Hiring managers often have to review a large number of resumes, so it's important to make sure that your resume stands out and is easy to read. Here are a few ways to keep your resume concise and easy to read:

Use bullet points: Bullet points make it easy for the hiring manager to scan your resume and quickly understand your qualifications.
Keep it to one or two pages: A one-page resume is ideal, but if you have a lot of relevant experience, you can make it two pages.
Use a clear and easy-to-read font: Use a font that is easy to read, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and make sure the font size is between 10-12 points.
Use white space: Use white space to separate different sections of your resume and make it easier to read.
Use specific and quantifiable information: Use specific and quantifiable information to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. This will help the hiring manager understand the impact you had in your previous roles.

Include relevant education, experience, and skills

These are the key factors that hiring managers look for when evaluating a candidate, so it is important to make sure that they are prominently featured on your resume.

Education: Include your highest degree and the name of the institution, along with the date of graduation. Also, include any relevant coursework or academic honors.
Experience: Include your previous work experience, starting with the most recent. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in each role. Be sure to include the job title, company name, and dates of employment.
Skills: Include a section on your resume that highlights your relevant skills. These can include technical skills, such as programming languages or software, or transferable skills, such as leadership or problem-solving.

Proofread for spelling and grammar errors

Even small mistakes can make a bad impression on the hiring manager and could potentially disqualify you from consideration for the position. Here are a few tips for proofreading your resume:

Read it backwards: Start by reading the last sentence of your resume, and then read the second to last sentence, and so on. This will help you focus on the individual words and catch any spelling or grammar errors.
Use spell check and grammar check: Use the spell check and grammar check tools in your word processing software to catch any mistakes that you may have missed.
Print it out: Print out a hard copy of your resume and read it through. This can help you catch errors that may be harder to see on a computer screen.
Get a second opinion: Ask a friend or family member to read through your resume and provide feedback. They may catch errors that you missed.
Check for consistency: Make sure that your resume is consistent in terms of formatting, punctuation, and capitalization.

Use a professional font and format

A professional font and format can make your resume stand out and look more polished, while an unprofessional font and format can make it look sloppy and unprofessional. Here are a few tips for choosing a professional font and format:

Use a simple and easy-to-read font: A simple font like Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, or Verdana are considered professional and easy to read. Avoid using overly fancy or decorative fonts as they can be hard to read and may not look professional.
Use a consistent font and format throughout your resume: Use the same font and format throughout your resume to give it a polished and professional look.
Use proper formatting: Use proper formatting such as headings, bullet points, and white space to make your resume easy to read and visually appealing.
Use a template: Using a professional resume template can help you create a polished and professional-looking resume. You can find free resume templates online or use tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Make sure it is readable: Make sure that your resume is easy to read, and the text is not too small or too big, and that the colors you use are not hard on the eyes.

Using unprofessional or casual language

Your resume is a professional document that is used to present yourself to potential employers, so it's important to use a professional tone and avoid any language that may come across as unprofessional or casual. Here are a few tips for avoiding unprofessional or casual language on your resume:

Avoid slang or idioms: Using slang or idioms can make your resume sound unprofessional and may not be understood by the hiring manager.
Avoid contractions: Using contractions (e.g. "can't," "don't," "won't") can make your resume sound casual and less formal.
Avoid using "I" or "me": Instead of using "I" or "me" to describe your responsibilities, use action verbs that describe what you did.
Avoid using overly casual or colloquial language: Using casual or colloquial language can make your resume sound unprofessional, avoid using words like "gonna" or "kinda"
Avoid using emojis or emoticons: Emojis and emoticons have no place in a professional document like a resume.

Irrelevant or personal information

Your resume should be focused on your qualifications, skills, and experience that are relevant to the position you are applying for, and including irrelevant or personal information can distract from that focus and may even hurt your chances of getting the job.

Avoid including irrelevant experience: Only include experience that is directly related to the position you are applying for.
Avoid including personal information: Personal information such as your age, gender, marital status, or religious beliefs should not be included on your resume.
Avoid including hobbies or interests: Unless they are directly related to the position you are applying for, it's best to avoid including information about your hobbies or interests on your resume.
Avoid including references: It is not necessary to include references on your resume, unless the job posting requests them.
Avoid including irrelevant or personal information about your education: Only include your education that is directly related to the position you are applying for.

Usage of generic or overused objective statement

A generic or overused objective statement can make your resume appear unoriginal and may not capture the attention of the hiring manager. Here are a few tips for avoiding a generic or overused objective statement on your resume:

Tailor your objective statement to the specific job: Instead of using a generic objective statement, tailor your objective statement to the specific job you are applying for.
Use a summary statement instead: A summary statement is a brief overview of your qualifications and experience that highlights how you can add value to the company. It is often more effective than an objective statement.
Avoid using clichéd phrases: Many objective statements use clichéd phrases like "seeking a challenging opportunity" or "looking for a dynamic company" that can make your resume appear unoriginal.
Make it specific: Instead of a generic statement, be specific about what you want to achieve and what value you can bring to the company.
Avoid using an objective statement altogether: An objective statement is not necessary for all resumes, and if you have a strong summary statement and a well-organized resume, it may be enough to capture the hiring manager's attention.

Overly complex or fancy formatting

Using overly complex or fancy formatting can make your resume hard to read and can also make it appear unprofessional. Here are a few tips for avoiding overly complex or fancy formatting:

Keep it simple: Use a simple and clean layout for your resume. Avoid using too many different font styles or colors, and stick to a professional template.
Use white space: Use white space to separate different sections of your resume and make it easier to read.
Avoid using too many graphics: Use of graphics, images, or tables can make your resume hard to read and may not be compatible with the applicant tracking systems (ATS) that many companies use to screen resumes.
Be consistent: Use a consistent format and style throughout your resume. This will make your resume look polished and professional.
Avoid using too many columns or rows: Keep your resume easy to read by avoiding the use of too many columns or rows, which can make the resume look cluttered.

Providing false or exaggerated information

Providing false or exaggerated information can be considered fraud and can lead to termination of your employment if you are already hired. Here are a few tips for avoiding providing false or exaggerated information on your resume:

Be honest: Provide accurate and truthful information about your qualifications, skills, and experience.
Be specific: Provide specific and quantifiable information about your accomplishments and responsibilities. This will help the hiring manager understand the impact you had in your previous roles.
Don't inflate your achievements: Don't exaggerate your accomplishments or responsibilities. Stick to the facts and be honest about what you have done.
Don't fabricate experience: Don't list experience that you don't have or exaggerate the extent of your experience.
Provide proof of your qualifications: It is important to have proof of your qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas, or transcripts, and be ready to provide them to the employer if requested.