Know the purpose of your resume
Some people write a resume as if the purpose of the document was to land a job. As a result they end up with a really long and boring piece that makes them look like desperate job hunters. Try and structure all the information in the resume on the basis of the objective/purpose of the resume.
Make sure to use the right keywords
Most companies use digital databases to search for candidates. If your resume doesn’t have the keywords related to the job you are applying for, you will be disqualified even before the game starts.
Use effective titles
Most employers make a judgment about your resume in 5 seconds. Thus the most important aspect will be the titles that you list on the resume. Try to be as descriptive as possible, giving the employer a good idea about the nature of your past work experiences.
Bad title: Accounting
Good title:Management of A/R and A/P and Recordkeeping
Proofread it twice
This is one of the utmost important points. One small typo and your chances of getting hired could slip. Proofreading it once is not enough, so do it twice, thrice or as many times as necessary.
Use bullet points
No employer has the time (or patience) to read long paragraphs of text. The best way to tackle this is to use bullet points and short sentences to describe your experiences, educational background and professional objectives.
Put the most important information first
This point is valid to both, the overall order of your resume, as well as the individual sections. When describing your experiences or skills, list the most important ones first.
Attention to the typography
First of all make sure that your fonts are big enough. The smallest you should go is 11 points, but 12 is probably safer. Arial and Times are good choices.
One resume for each employer
One of the most common mistakes that people make is to create a standard resume and send it to all the job openings that they can find. Sure it will save you time, but it will also greatly decrease your chances of landing your self an interview.
Don’t include irrelevant information
Irrelevant information such as political affiliation, religion and sexual preference will not help you. Just skip it.
One or two pages
The ideal length for a resume is a debatable subject. Most employers and recruiting specialists, however, say that it should be one or two pages long at the maximum.
Use action verbs
A very common advice to job seekers is to use action verbs. Action verbs are basically verbs that will get noticed more easily, and will clearly communicate what your experiences or achievements have been. Examples include managed, coached, enforced and planned.
No jargon or slang
Slang should never be used in a resume. As for technical jargon, do not assume that the employer will know what you are talking about.
No fancy design details
Do not use a colored background, designs, fancy fonts or images on your resume.
No pronouns
You resume should not contain the pronouns “I” or “me. Never use pronouns, a strict no-no.
Don’t forget the basics
The first thing on your resume should be your name. It should be bold and with a larger font than the rest of the text. Make sure that your contact details are clearly listed.
Update your resume regularly
The most important point after completing the resume is to update your resume on a regular basis. Add all the new information that you think is relevant. This is the best way to keep track of everything and to make sure that you will not end up sending an obsolete document to the employer.
