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Resume Preparation

Crafting Winning Resumes: 9 Expert Tips


Preparing a resume that stands out can significantly improve your chances of landing a job. Here are nine top tips to help you:

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job:

  • Customize your resume for each job application.
  • Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job description.

2. Use a Professional Format: 

  • Choose a clean, professional layout. Use consistent fonts, headings, and bullet points.
  • Avoid excessive use of colors or graphics unless you're applying for a creative position.

3. Start with a Strong Summary:

  • Begin with a compelling summary statement that encapsulates your key qualifications and career objectives.
  • Make it concise and focused on what you bring to the table.

4. Highlight Achievements as well as Duties:

  • Instead of listing job responsibilities, emphasize your achievements and the impact you had in your previous roles.
  • Use quantifiable metrics where possible (e.g., increased sales by 20%).

5. Use Action Verbs:

  • Start each bullet point with a strong action verb like "managed," "developed," "improved," or "implemented" to convey your contributions more dynamically.

6. Include Keywords from the Job Description: 

  • Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes.
  • Incorporate keywords from the job description to help your resume get past these systems.

7. Keep It Concise:

  • Aim for a one-page resume if you have less than 10 years of experience.
  • For more experienced professionals, a two-page resume is acceptable.
  • Be concise and only include the most relevant information.

8. Proofread Carefully:

  • Ensure your resume is free of typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies. Consider asking a friend or professional to review it as well.

9. Include Relevant Skills and Certifications:

  • List skills that are relevant to the job, including technical skills, soft skills, and any certifications or courses that enhance your qualifications.

DO:

  • Customize Your Resume whenever possible
  • Make sure your dates and facts are accurate
  • Use a simple and clean format thats easy to read
  • Inform References of Your Job Search
  • Ask a Friend to Proofread

DON'T:

  • Use complicated formatting, lots of images or graphics
  • Lie or Exaggerate the truth
  • Use Your company business email or an unprofessional email address
  • Include a picture of yourself
  • Leave large unexplained gaps between jobs
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