Tips to write an effective resume

Understand the Purpose of Your Resume

Resumes are tools for self-promotion that should be tailored to the applicant and the position. Like job seekers, good resumes are also unique. Especially in the modern job market, your resume should tell hiring managers that you offer something different to meet their demands.

Done properly, this will spur interest from hiring managers, who will feel more compelled to contact you for an interview. The increased use of computers in human resources departments also makes the smart use of keywords valuable to promote review by a person.

Use the Right Resume Length for Your Situation

Brevity is often best in a resume because hiring managers may have countless other resumes to review. However, this can vary with the position and your circumstances. If you have a work history shorter than a decade or lack experience related to the position you are pursuing, one page is likely enough. Two pages may be better for longer work histories or for positions with long technical requirements. Finally, three-page resumes can be appropriate for senior positions involving extensive professional credentials.

Order Your Resume to Emphasize Your Value

Like a newspaper article, a resume should be ordered so that the most important information comes first. Furthermore, what is most important for you may depend on your qualifications. If you are just entering the job market after graduating, list your education first, then follow with experience, awards and skills. Your summary and relevant experience should come before education if you are changing careers or pursuing higher-level positions long after graduating. Listing your relevant education and experience earlier in your resume will improve your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers.

Include These Elements for the Most Impact

Great formatting and powerful content are vital to an effective resume. It is easy to forget that even text-heavy documents, such as resumes, can be pleasing to the eye if formatted correctly. Just like a drawing, the dark and light areas of your resume can and should be balanced to draw interest rather than repel.

Therefore, space your paragraphs and use bullet points and more to create symmetry and visual flow. By using action-packed words and the active voice as much as possible, you will help portray yourself as a self-starter who gets things done on the job.

Avoid These Things to Maximize Your Results

Certain things can make a resume less effective and should be left out. For example, including irrelevant skills, interests and job responsibilities could blunt the impact of details that hiring managers do want to see. Visual mistakes, such as small text size and displeasing format, should also be avoided. Finally, carefully proofread and edit your resume for improper grammar, incorrect spelling and vague wording.