When it comes to finding your perfect job, think of your resume as your personal brand. A resume is the first point of contact you’ll make with a potential employer, and as first impressions last, it’s worth making it a good one. Whether you're new to the workforce or have years of experience behind you, a well written resume will give you a better chance of landing an interview — even in fierce competition.
Here are our top tips for writing a winning resume.
Review resume examples for your industry
To master the art of writing a winning resume, you may need to spend some time researching and studying different resume examples for your industry in order to get inspiration. When looking at resume samples, there are two things you’re likely to notice;
· Easy-to-read resumes
Due to employers having very little time to sift through countless resumes, a resume which is simple, easy-to-read and includes education, experience and skills relevant to the position is more likely going to get picked up from the pile.
· Different resume styles
There are many different resume styles and formatting you can use, but each one should reflect your skills, qualifications, education and experience. It also helps to have multiple versions of your resume, tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.
Remember not to copy and paste any resume samples but just use them as examples for high quality resumes.
Be professional
For your resume to stand out above the rest, it needs to be of a professional standard. A resume which is confusing, full of errors, unrelated to the position or poorly presented might not get a second look. A professional resume uses clear style font such as Arial or Times New Roman, is easy-to-read, error-free and includes headings to break up each section. It is also recommended keeping your font size between 10 and 12, use dot points when necessary and reduce any additional white spacing.
Include relevant and up-to-date information
Hiring managers or recruiters don’t have much time to spend on reading resumes so omit any old and irrelevant information and only include skills, experiences and achievements which are relevant to the position. This helps employers learn more about you and determines whether you’re a good fit for the role. If in doubt, always refer back to the job description of the position you’re applying for.
Use Power Words
Power words are words which can draw in and connect to whoever is reading your resume in a more powerful way. As most resume language can be a little repetitive, using power words such as accomplished, achieved, delivered, identified, understood, verified, managed, transformed… will be more likely to jump off the page and highlight your skills, talents and qualifications even quicker — demonstrating to any hiring manager you have what it takes to get the job done.
Always Proofread Before Sending
It is always important to proofread your resume before sending, as this ensures that there are no spelling mistakes or grammar errors. You could try reading it out loud or there are many online proofreading tools available. You can even send it to a friend, relative or colleague to proofread and offer any feedback.
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When it comes to writing a winning resume, always make sure the tone is positive, enthusiastic and professional. Remember to include your strongest and most relevant points, add power words to draw attention and always proofread before sending. Having a resume which is well-presented and easy-to-read is that one step further in securing your next dream job.
Feel free to contact us at talent@talentstreet.com.au for an appraisal of your resume. One of our talented consultants will be happy to help.