A Guide to Resume Writing
Ready to get back into the job market? Making a resume isn’t a fun task and can feel more complicated than it should. Don’t be intimidated by all the skills a job wants you to have and focus on making your resume the best it can be.
Your resume is all about advertising you, and by including this information you will already be a step ahead of some applicants.
Contents of a Resume
A resume, aside from a cover letter, is the first thing a job will see that represents you. It tells them what they need to know about you to decide if you get an interview or even the job sometimes. A resume is a big first impression so having it polished and ready is important.
Different jobs will need different specifications, so take that into consideration with the below list. You may need supplemental info depending on the job you’re applying to. And if you already have the basics down, you can always find good advice about how to improve your resume from where it is now.
The Basics
The basic things you need when making a resume is your name and contact information right at the top. If they don’t know who you are or how to contact you then they can’t hire you. Sometimes you may want a statement following this about your goals or career path, but that isn’t always necessary.
A phone number and email, as well as your name, are possibly the most crucial items.
Work History
When you’re building a resume, you want to list the jobs that apply to the current one you want. If you want a job as a librarian but only list restaurant jobs instead of one job at your university library, you will not be including some of the most relevant experience you have.
Your work history is best listed from most recent first, and not going over five to six years from today if you can help it. A resume can sometimes extend to two pages, but it doesn’t need to be longer and often doesn’t need to be longer than one.
Education
Not every job needs to have all your study abroad experiences listed unless it involves something related, but including your general degrees is important. Do you have a master’s in biology? Include it on the resume.
And even if your education isn’t incredibly relevant, it can still be useful to include. A resume is a paper that brags for you, so include the information that lets you shine. If your GPA wasn’t stellar and they don’t ask for it, you can leave it off and list degrees alone.
Skills
Many jobs ask for certain skills that you have but didn’t get to advertise in your work history or education. Do you know how to use photoshop and are a skilled videographer even though you never had to for a job? List those in your skills section.
It’s always a good idea to do your research and include the right sections for the job. For example, a support worker resume will include a skills and reference section. These can be soft and technical skills like customer service and handling a forklift. You can also tailor your resume with the skills you have that fit the skills needed for that job.
Start Applying
When you have a solid resume, you can apply to many more jobs and stand a better chance among applicants. A resume shows interviewers who you are and what you’re capable of. And don’t forget to look into if specific jobs you’re applying to need any supplemental materials.
Resume tips can get you part of the way, but a cover letter or portfolio could be needed as well. And if this helped you feel more prepared to start on those applications, keep reading for more business tips.
