Last week we started addressing the first, and one of the most important, steps in the hiring process: the resume. Our first blog focused on resume style and format—how to create a clean resume with a professional appearance. Now that you know how to craft a resume that people will want to read, the next step is to make sure it’s a resume worth reading. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss tips for what sort of information you need to include in your resume to stand out and let your future employer know you’re just what they’re looking for.
Basic Content: No matter what type of position you’re applying for, you’ll want to include the following: contact information (full name, address, e-mail address, and phone number), educational background, and previous job experience. You may include more or less detail in these sections based on your background. For example, if you’ve just graduated college, you may include more extensive educational information since your job experience is a little thinner. If you’ve been in the workforce for some time, you’ll want to focus on your experience and professional expertise.
References: Most jobs will ask for references, but they are typically only supplied upon request rather than being included in a resume. Make sure you have at least three solid references lined up in advance, whose information you can pass along at a moment’s notice if asked.
What Makes you Great?: Don’t simply describe what you did at each job; include specific accomplishments. Listing job duties is important, but relating accomplishments not only tells your future employer what you did, but how great you were at it. Chances are many applicants for the same position will have similar backgrounds; stand out by letting your future employer know what an asset you would be to their company.
Avoid Meaningless Adjectives: Many applicants will use adjectives like “creative,” “disciplined,” or “innovative.” These words mean nothing unless you can back them up. If you’ve written your job experience including accomplishments as described above, those accomplishments will speak for themselves. Anyone can say they are an “effective marketer with great people skills.” Saying that you “increased the company’s client population by 43% during your employment” is far more impressive and concrete.
Check in with us again next week for the next part in our series!
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