So you’re ready to apply for a job. Congrats! Now, how do you go about crafting your perfect resume/CV/cover letter space?
If you’re following the advice in this article, you’ll be able to write a winning resume that’ll get you the job you want.
Focus On The Basics
When you’re writing your resume, focus on the basics. The key is to keep it simple and to the point. You don’t need to include every detail about your career–only the most relevant information. You should try to keep your resume to one page, and you should make sure that everything on it is relevant and meaningful. The fewer words you use, the better. Also, make sure that your spelling and grammar are flawless.
Make Sure Your Resume Reflects You
When an employer is reading your resume, they should be able to easily see how you fit the job description. If you’re sending in a resume for a specific position, make sure that your resume reflects that position. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, your resume should include plenty of relevant marketing experience. Include the minimum amount of information necessary to make the recruiter understand what you’ve accomplished and how you can fit into the role. Avoid using words like “multitasking” or “collaboration” because employers generally don’t value those qualities as much as you think they do.
Use Action Words
Employers generally hate receiving resumes that don’t contain any action words. Try to use action words as much as possible in your resume. Words like “managed,” “administered,” “coordinated,” and “executed” get you a long way to making your resume stand out. If you want to work in a specific industry, make sure to highlight the action words relevant to that industry. For example, if you’re a web developer, make sure to include plenty of web development-related action words in your resume.
Avoid Plagiarism
Plagiarism is when you take someones else’s work and present it as your own. This is usually done for financial gain or to cheat the system. Always avoid doing this, as these actions will undoubtedly come back to haunt you. If you’ve ever been caught plagiarizing, you’ll likely face significant ramifications.
Be Objective
When crafting your resume, make sure to be objective and honest. The worst thing you can do is misrepresent yourself to get a job. Always be upfront about your skills and experience, but make sure that your resume is an accurate reflection of your qualifications. This means that you should avoid including any negative information about yourself or previous employers. If you feel that you are being discriminated against, you have the right to complain. However, keep in mind that you probably aren’t going to get very far with this approach. An employer isn’t likely to agree to consider you for a job if they feel that you are being deceitful.
Make Sure Your Resume Is Accurate
As we’ve established, it’s really bad form to include any negative information about yourself or previous employers in your resume. However, there is an exception to this rule. If you’re applying for a job at a company that you’ve previously worked for, then including details about your previous boss can be a worthwhile tradeoff for the opportunity to work for a bigger company with more resources and a higher ceiling. Make sure to include only relevant information about your previous employers.