A Step by Step Guide

A resume is the first thing that a potential employer will see. It's a summary of your qualifications and can be the difference between getting an interview or not. A resume should be tailored to each job but there are some universal guidelines that apply to all resumes. If you want your resume to stand out, these tips will help you create a good one, no matter what your industry.

How to use keywords

When you are writing your resume, make sure to use keywords. These are words that describe the specific job you're applying for. For example, if you were applying for a receptionist position at a dentist and had previous experience in customer service, marketing and sales, your resume would include those qualifications as well. You might also include language skills like Spanish, French or Portuguese.

What to include on your resume

There are many different things you can include on your resume. Obviously, there is the information about your work experience. This includes what you did for the company and how long you worked there. You should also include your skills and any other pertinent information. For example, if you speak a second language that is essential to the job you want, then it's worth including that information.

The right length for your resume

A good resume should be concise and to the point. Don't add irrelevant information that won't help your chances of getting a job. Most resumes should have at most a two page length, with each bullet point on the pages about two sentences in length. Make sure you don't start new sentences within a bullet point; instead, break it up with a line in between to make it easier to read.

The layout of your resume

The layout of your resume should be clear and readers should be able to get an idea of what you have done for every job. A chronological resume layout is the most common, which starts with the most recent jobs and works its way backward. Or, you can use a functional format, which focuses on what skills you possess. Either way, make sure to include only relevant information that is easy to scan in your resume.

A guide to making a cover letter

A cover letter, overview or synopsis is more than just a way to introduce yourself. It's also an opportunity to set the employer apart from all of the other resumes they are receiving. When crafting a cover letter, be sure to include your desired salary and any pertinent details about why you want to work for them.

For example, if there is something specific about their company that you like or would be interested in doing, mention it. If there is something about their company that sounds like it might not be the best fit for you, acknowledge that too and explain why you still hope to work with them. Mentioning these details will help the employer see what kind of person you are.

The importance of a well-written resume

A resume is a summary of your qualifications, achievements and experience. It's the first impression you give to a potential employer. A one-size-fits-all resume won't cut it. You need to tailor your resume to each job you apply for.

The first thing an employer will look at is your objective statement, so make sure it reflects what you want to do. If you have more than one objective, list them in order of importance with the most important objective at the top. In addition, list any relevant skills that would be valuable in the position you are applying for and any relevant experience or education that supports your objective.

The next thing that is likely to catch an employers attention is the skills section of your resume. You don't want this section to be too long but make sure it lists all of the industry standard skills needed for the position you are applying for including technical knowledge, customer service skills and/or anything else relevant to the position .

Next up is your work history. Try not to leave any gaps in employment or make it seem like they are short term positions by saying something like 'Currently Seeking Full Time' or 'Looking For Work.' These terms can be interpreted as negative implications by potential employers and will make them less likely to hire you as they think there may be reason why your last job ended early or why you are currently out of a job. Instead, provide details about why these gaps exist in employment and how they benefited or rounded you as an individual, an example of this might be a gap year where you went travelling around Europe.

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