A resume is like a promotional document that is aimed at highlighting the work history of a professional. However, there are various formats of a resume that are being adopted by job seekers all around the world. The following are some valuable resume writing tips that can be executed to create a compelling resume and subsequently aid your job search.
Never underestimate Headings
When companies receive hundreds of CVs for one opening, they need a resume that can catch their attention and compel them to read on. Your resume should not only be able to draw the eye of the recruiter but also retain his attention. Recruiters will only take 5 seconds to glance through your resume so the trick is to give appropriate headings and titles to all the sections.
Choose a Structure that Catches Attention
Recruiters make quick judgments while skimming through resumes. If they view unrelated skills or different job titles they could make the instant assumption that you don’t match the hiring criteria. Once they assume this, they may not even go in depth of the document to check whether you have the necessary skills that the job requires. So create a compelling framework that clearly highlights the most significant data first. Categorize your work history and experience, relevant skills and educational qualifications separately. Your resume must speak of your abilities and skills in the first glance.
Create Content that will Sell
Even though the design is important to lead on the recruiter, the body of content is what eventually decides the fate of your candidature. So focus on the content and descriptions of the different sections. Remember that you are writing to market yourself in front of the recruiter. This will eventually go on to determine whether you land an interview or not or even the level of remuneration offered.
Use Numbers to Quantify
Make extensive use of numbers in your resume to quantify your duties and achievements. This will improve your standing as a professional and create a positive image as one reads the resume, which cannot be done through general statements. You must also use power words like managed, directed, supervised and trained.
Analyze Job Descriptions to Pick Keywords
Learn how to select the keywords that need to be used all over the resume. Go through the advertisements published for this opening and carefully study the given job descriptions. You should pick only contextual words, descriptions and phrases that relate to the job profile. These keywords also help your resume get past the resume tracking system.
Tap the Needs of the Employer
Apart from the obvious skills required for a particular profile, you should be able to determine the hidden needs of the employer and address it in your resume with cover letter. Employers are always on the lookout for professionals with well-rounded personalities who can also work for other departments, solve problems and research accounting issues. In order to beat the tough competition, you must anticipate and identify the complete range of responsibilities your potential employer offers and then show that you can deal with them.
Market the Benefits of Hiring You
A large number of resumes will simply provide a list of positions that the professional has held and the work that he was responsible for. Other than doing that, you must remember to explain the advantage of having those skills. For instance, if you are a secretary seeking a new job, you must mention that you can type 80 words per minute (wpm) and are highly accurate and efficient while doing so. The bottom line should be that this skill will eventually benefit your employer. This way there is more production and ultimately time and money are saved.
By creating a persuasive resume you can manage to form a reputation that helps you demand a higher salary once you clear the interview round. Just make sure you tweak and customize the CV each time you send it to a different company.
