Resume Writing Tips You Need To Know

 

We know that writing the perfect resume is not always a simple task, but here are a few resume writing tips that you can implement to make your next one a lot easier. A well-crafted resume, which clearly has some thought put into it, can go a long way to help you stand out from the competition.

 

Do you know how to make your resume shine in 2019? Things may have changed since you wrote your last one, so take a look at our tips to make sure you have all of your bases covered.

 

Write Your Resume for An Applicant Tracking System

 

In today’s digital era, most hiring managers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to help with their candidate search. An ATS is a program that scans resumes and cover letters for keywords, qualifications and anything that closely matches the job posting so that the best potential candidates can be selected faster. If the resume doesn’t meet enough criteria, it won’t make it through for a human to review, so make sure you are strategic with your semantics. Take a look at the job posting and integrate some of the keywords in your resume, because chances are, a software program will be looking at your resume before a human does.

 

Adjust Resumes by Job 

 

Tailoring your resume to each specific job is a good idea (beyond getting through applicant tracking systems) because it shows that you have taken the time to really consider whether you are qualified for the specific position. Making your qualifications for that particular job immediately clear is crucial, and you can do this by adjusting your wording based on the job posting.

 

It will be blatantly obvious if you use the exact same resume to apply for 10 different jobs. Each job likely has unique and varied requirements listed, so you should take a few moments to adjust to ensure that, when you make it past the ATS, your skills appeal to the hiring manager’s needs.

 

In addition, you can usually find several resume templates online, each one tailored by industry if you need a little bit of guidance. Experts take the time to draft the ideal resume based on what hiring managers are looking for, so it’s certainly worth a Google search.

 

 

List Only Your Most Relevant Experience

 

You should try to keep your resume short and sweet; one or two pages in length is a good benchmark. Hiring managers usually only look at a resume for an average of six seconds! This means you must be very selective about the information that you include. Depending on what job you’re applying for, sort your experience by relevance and only include the ones that are the most closely related to the requirements of the job. For each position, include a few specific achievements you succeeded in that are related to the job that you are applying to.

 

In addition to your work history, consider any skills, certifications, hobbies and/or any other useful information that will help to shine. This demands a little bit of executive decision making – overall, you want to try and fit in as much applicable experience in as few words as possible.

 

 

Pick the Most Appropriate Resume Format

 

Once you’ve picked the information that you want to include, you have to decide how to present it! Reverse-chronological is the most common resume format and works for most situations. It lists the most recent, relevant work experience at the top and works backwards. However, depending on factors such as the type of job you are applying to or whether or not you are switching careers, other formats may do a better job at highlighting your strengths.

 

A functional or skill-based resume is a good route when highlighting specific projects and skills that are applicable to the job in question. It lends a hand to those who may have gaps in their resume or do a lot of contract – and sometimes inconsistent – work.

 

A combination resume works if you don’t have a ton of practical, relevant experience, but want to show off the skills that could prove useful to the position. Take some time to put your resume into different formats to see which one displays you in the brightest light.

 

Font Matters

 

While it may seem like this aspect of the resume is a non-issue, the opposite is true! An unprofessional looking font, or one that is too hard to read, can turn potential employers off. ATS systems won’t have a problem with reading a difficult font. But if it makes its way into the hands of a human being, the font you choose can tell your interviewer a lot about you.

 

It has been generally agreed upon that Times New Roman is one of the best fonts for a resume. Serif fonts, or fonts that have tails on some of their letters, typically appear more professional and are universally readable. However, any easy-to-read, plain font will do the trick. Just be sure to use only one font throughout the resume and use bolded or italicized sentences to distinguish between sections.

 

Now that you’ve crafted the perfect resume, it’s time to find your dream job! Dunhill Staffing Systems is here to help. Reach out to a recruiter today.