A resume (Curriculum Vitae or CV in the UK) is an essential tool to sell yourself to a prospective employer. You should send a resume when inquiring if any jobs are available or when they ask for one in a job application. A resume should aim to make you an attractive choice for employment and ensure you receive a job interview. An employer can get hundreds of inquiries about a job vacancy and a professional resume can enhance your chances of getting a job.
Tips on Writing a Professional Resume
Your resume should be a succinct summary of your education, work experience, and qualifications relevant to the reader it is sent to. Research the potential employer and the field to make the resume appealing and to them. If you are a student make use of any career advice that is offered at your place of study. Use this as a starting point but don't just copy a standard template; aim to create a personal, and slightly different resume to stand out from the crowd. Follow these formatting tips to add a professional touch to your resume:
- Proofread and use the spell-check on your computer.
- Use bullets when listing qualifications or skills to make the resume easier to read.
- Avoid repeating words or phrases.
- Choose topic headings such as "related experience" rather than "employment or other."
- Don’t use the first person I or any pronouns.
- Be consistent and use the same grammatical style.
- Word process the resume, and ensure it is well laid out and printed on a good quality paper.
- Stick to one page; or two if you have extensive experience.
- Print on one side of paper only.
- Ensure there is plenty of white space, and a border around the page.
- Use either bold or underline print for headings.
- Stick to one font and size (apart from perhaps the document title).
- Tailor your resume for different employers placing emphasis on the skills and experience the company is looking for.
What to Include in a Resume
Ensure that your name, address, email address and phone number are at the top of each page of the resume. Highlight relevant skills, accomplishments and work experience; summarizing your personal impact in previous roles. Include numbers to give an accurate idea of the size and scale of projects undertaken. Give examples that show personality traits that are required for the job such as initiative, leadership and communication skills. These are the general headings that are used in a resume:
- Professional Profile – Include short descriptive sentences to sum up your skills and experience here.
- Education – Detail where you have studied with the most recent education first. Include subject options including grades.
- Work experience – List the employer, job title and duties undertaken in the role.
- Interests – Select activities that demonstrate drive, responsibility or working in a team. Always list your most recent experience first.
- Skills – Include any proficiencies in other languages, computing experience and driving license here.
Increasingly scanning technology will be used to read resumes and you can boost your chances for selection by using a clear font (such as Arial) no smaller than 12 pt and including keywords relevant to the job. Do not fold or staple the resume and send it flat in an envelope.
What Not to Include in a Resume
Minimize personal information and unrelated information regarding age and marital status. Avoid any references to salary expectations and any religious or political affiliations. References are usually omitted on a resume though it is a good idea to have three lined up when searching for a job. Employers usually assume that “references are available upon request,” so don't include this phrase.
Increase your chances of getting a job by writing a resume with a professional touch. Look at resume examples and templates for inspiration but don't copy them (here is a sample for a business student and MBA level professional). A resume is a marketing tool for you and therefore it should be individual and focus on your personal achievements.
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Sources:
MIT.edu Resume Tips (Accessed October 8, 2010).
Priya Chauhan - A designer, topic editor and feature writer (for Hinduism) and all round experimenter of healthy living; Priya enjoys being creative, and ...
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