Your resume is your primary marketing piece and your first chance to catch an employer’s attention and make a good impression. In order to stand out from the other applicants and be among those who are called for an interview, your resume must be well-written and well-formatted.
There are a few essential components to the content of a good resume:
If you are still in school and have little work experience, you can include jobs you had in high school, volunteer experience, college clubs/organizations you are involved in, and internships. However, after college and as you progress in your career, remove these and only include more relevant and recent information.
Avoid using one generic resume for all job applications. Tailor your resume to each job you apply for and the specific skills and characteristics they are looking for in an employee. It is a good idea to have a few different versions of resumes to pull from. For example, you might have one resume that highlights your experience and skills in marketing, another in product development, and another in sales. Then, depending on the job you are applying for, you can adjust these versions even more to the specific position you want to obtain.
While content is most important, making your resume visually appealing could also help get an employer’s attention. A resume that is pleasing to the eye demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. An easy way to make a well-formatted resume is to use a template. Microsoft Word has some free templates worth considering, or there are many other downloadable options online as well. However, a simple and thin font is best, such as Tahoma, Book Antiqua, or Georgia. Keep the font size between 9-12 so it is easy to read. Be professional and avoid an artsy-looking resume with clip art or pictures, excessive color, designs, or lines.
Make your resume well organized so it is easy to skim and find the most important information. Make the headings clear, avoid excessive and cramped text, and stick to short paragraphs and bullets. If an employer only looks at your resume for a few seconds, it needs to be clear and easy to navigate so he can find what he’s looking for.
Check out some example resumes.
Finished perfecting your resume? Upload it to localwork.com now.