marketing tool

How to Make a Resume

How to make a resume can often seem like a daunting task. You’ve done your research, but there is so much information, and how do you pick from the countless formats?

Writing your resume doesn’t have to be so scary, in fact, if you keep a few simple tips in mind, you’ll keep yourself ahead of the competition.

1. Objective

If the objective statement doesn’t match the job you’re applying for, your resume is likely to end up in the bin. It’s important to customize the objective so it expresses your goals and keeps the HR manager interested in learning more about you. Don’t be vague! Remember, your resume is a marketing tool and that begins with a clear, concise objective.

2. How to Make a Resume Look Professional

Your resume should have a professional, contemporary appearance that is both visually appealing and easy on the eyes. Use an easy to read font, such as Times New Roman, no smaller than 10 pt., and print your resume on high-quality bond paper in white, light grey or cream.

Don’t clutter your resume. You should include all of your relevant accomplishments, but you don’t want it to look daunting to prospective employers. If it looks overwhelming, it may not get a second glance. An ideal resume uses white space efficiently and stills gets the point across that you are the perfect candidate for the position. If your work history is extensive, consider cutting back. You shouldn’t go back more than15 years on a resume, unless a job held prior was of particular significance.

If you are sending your resume electronically, plain is the way to go. Get rid of all embellishments, such as italics, bold and centring. Text should be plain and aligned on the left side of the page. Remember, the more embellishments, the harder it may be on the reader. If you need emphasis, use ALL CAPS.

3. Format

You should base your format on your unique credentials and background. The key is to present the information so that it highlights your most important accomplishments immediately. For example, a recent college graduate would present his education before his work history because it is his biggest selling point.

Your resume is a marketing tool which should be designed to sell, sell, sell! List your most important achievements first, and be specific! Don’t say that you were responsible for increasing profitability, say that you spearheaded a national marketing campaign that increased profits by 35%. Don’t be afraid to include numbers and percentages. If you don’t have the exact numbers estimates are fine, as long as they’re reasonable.

Lastly, remember to keep it clean and organized. Utilize white space by keeping sentences short and informative. Use bullets to highlight information and avoid long paragraphs which appear overwhelming. You don’t want your most important accomplishments lost in the middle of a paragraph.

4. Too Much Information!

Yes, you can make a resume with too much information. If you want to include a website where potential employers can view work samples, fine. Just make sure that there are no photos of your latest vacation to Mexico or your newborn baby. As proud as you may be to show off your new bundle of joy, it may make an employer uncomfortable. Also, no silly email addresses and no list of irrelevant hobbies. The employer won’t care if you’re NASCAR fan, and if they associate a negative connotation with your hobby, then you’re out of luck.

Remember these tips before you send your resume off to prospective employers. You must ensure that your resume gets a fair read as there will often be anywhere from 40 to 100 other applicants interested in the same position. If you make a resume in a professional, easy to read format that clearly highlights your strengths and achievements, you’ll keep an edge on the competition.