Every employer is in search of that special someone who can make their life a lot easier by doing simple tasks every day. Whether you’re a personal assistant, secretary, or administrative assistant, if you can take care of simple tasks for multiple people, then there’ll be a good chance you’ll be able to find work. Resumes are a great way to market yourself and get your foot in the door, but they can also be a stumbling block to employment if you don’t know how to make the most of them. That’s why we’ve put together this guide; to help you get the most from your resume and to show you how to stand out from the crowd.
The Six Most Popular Jobs To Pursue In 2020
Looking for a new opportunity in light of the Covid-19 pandemic? Most industries have been affected and some are even hiring, but not necessarily in the jobs you’d expect. In fact, the demand for some jobs is even greater than before, as people are looking for ways to contribute during these challenging times.
In the coming months, you’ll likely see a spike in the number of job offers, especially in the fields of cybersecurity, digital marketing, and software engineering. With increased competition you may find it harder to get a foot in the door, so to speak. That’s why it’s essential to stand out from the crowd with a powerful resume that’ll land you the interview despite this pandemic.
The Seven Steps to Creating a Killer Resume
If you’re looking to create a killer resume, then you’re in the right place. We’ll go over seven steps that’ll help you make that happen.
Step one: Set a resume goal
It’s important to set a resume goal in mind and then set a time frame for yourself to achieve it. Resume goals should be in line with your career aspirations and should reflect the skills needed to get there. For example, if you have a goal of becoming a software engineer, then your resume should reflect that.
Resume goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely). For example, if you set a goal of getting five job offers by the end of the year, then your resume should reflect that. SMART objectives will help you track your progress and determine if you’re on the right track.
Step two: Create a list of relevant skills
Next, you’ll want to create a list of relevant skills. It’s important to include only those skills that are necessary for the role you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a clerical position, then you don’t need to include your skills in accounting or finance. On the contrary, if you’re applying for a marketing role, then you need to include your proficiency in graphic design, social media marketing, or SEO.
You’ll also want to identify which are the most important and relevant skills for your resume. Take some time to reflect on the hiring manager’s words and the requirements of the role you’re applying for. This will help you determine which skills are essential and which ones can be substituted.
Step three: Build your work experience
Now that you have your list of relevant skills, you can start to build your work experience. Consideration should be given to the order in which you list your experience. For example, if you’re applying for a software engineering role, then you’ll want to list your work experience in that field first, then your IT support experience, and finally your programming experience. In addition, be sure to differentiate between the roles that you’ve played and the responsibilities that you’ve had.
It’s also important to focus on the details of your work experience and to give a clear indication of your skills and ability. If you’re not sure of the exact duties of the position you’re applying for, then ask the HR representative or the hiring manager for clarification.
Step four: Identify your achievements
Now that you have a clear idea of what you’ll need to include in your resume, it’s time to start identifying your achievements. It’s important to note here that you don’t need to have achieved everything on your own. It’s also wise to be modest in your claims. Focus on your key achievements and highlight them in your resume. This will help you stand out among the rest
Step five: Create a compelling narrative
Finally, you’ll want to create a compelling narrative. A resume is only as good as its content and it needs to make a good first impression. This narrative should be short and sweet, but also reflect the skills you’ve listed on your resume. For example, if you have a goal of working in software development, then your narrative should reflect that.
Your narrative should also be consistent with the tone of the rest of your resume. If you’re applying for a role in sales, then you may want to include something about selling to further your career in that field. In the same way, if you’re applying for a software engineering position, then your narrative should reflect that.
Step six: Proofread, edit, and format your resume
Once you’ve created your resume, it’s time to edit it and format it correctly. If you’re applying for a professional position, then having a clean, well-written resume can put you at a distinct advantage. Proofreading and editing will refine your language and make your resume much more readable.
Resumes should be two or three pages long and have a simple layout with a plain background and font. It’s also important to have an area at the end of your resume for the hiring manager to write their review or comments. If you’re not sure of the best way to format your resume, then ask someone who is, or look at other successful resumes for guidance.
Step seven: Update your resume whenever necessary
Finally, it’s important to keep your resume up-to-date. This means you’ll want to review it and make necessary adjustments. If you’re applying for a role in a different field than what you studied, then it may be necessary to update your resume. In the same way, if you’ve gained new skills or developed new interests, then it’s a good idea to review your resume and see if anything is missing or if its format needs to be changed in order to accurately represent your skills.
Regardless of whether you’re in the middle of a pandemic or not, updating your resume is something you should do on a regular basis. Be sure to review your resume on a regular basis and make adjustments as necessary. This will help you stand out among the competition and get the job you want.
As you can see, putting in the work to create a killer resume is more than worth it. Resumes are a great way to get your foot in the door and network with potential employers. But in order to do that, you need to make sure your resume is solid and ready to go. That means creating a goal, figuring out what skills you need, and building your work experience. You can also get help from a professional resume writer if you need some extra guidance.