First impressions. They’re kind of a big deal. This is especially true when sending your resume to a prospective employer.
You will only get one shot to gain the interest of the person reviewing your resume. Take your time. Make it count!
As a staffing agency we come across a lot of resumes. We know what employers are looking for in an ideal candidate.
Now you will too!
Resume | STRUCTURE
The structure of a resume is made of sections that help describe you. There are many ways to setup the structure.
Here is an example:
A resume contains at least 5 sections :
1. Contact
2. Summary
3. Experience
4. Education
5. Skills
Resume | FORMAT & STYLE
Selecting the correct format and style for your resume is important because it is the first thing a hiring manager will notice.
Ask yourself the following questions when composing your resume:
Is it EASY TO READ?
Does it LOOK ORGANIZED?
Is the DESIGN INTERESTING?
Style your resume to match the job type. For example, if it’s a technical or administrative role, consider Modern.
If applying for a manufacturing, skilled labor, or hospitality job, you might want to consider Traditional.
There is no “right” way to craft a resume but you should have an audience in mind when doing so.
Resume | KEY SECTIONS
To recap, the five key sections in creating a resume are: Contact, Summary, Experience, Education and Skills
Let’s review each of these sections in detail.
1. CONTACT
Personal details are a must. Once you’ve wowed the reader with your skills and abilities, you’ll want to make sure they have multiple ways to reach out to you for the next steps.
Must have contact info:
First Name / Last Name
Phone Number
Email Address
Home Address
Social Media Links, if required
2. SUMMARY
A summary describes why you are the best candidate for the position, what you’ll bring to the table, and how you would become a valuable asset to the organization if hired. Its purpose is to explain your qualifications and relevant recent work experience.
Your summary should be written in a way that convinces the hiring manager to review your resume in full.
3. EXPERIENCE
Employers want the best possible match for their organization, so it is critical that your work history aligns with the duties and requirements laid out in the job description.
Tailor your experience to the role you are applying to keep your resume “top of mind” with the employer.
“Show your work”, or give EXAMPLES of how you overcame CHALLENGES while on the job.
4. EDUCATION
Including academic achievements will help you stand above the crowd. When you can demonstrate how your knowledge will benefit the company, it can leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.
Don’t forget to mention certifications, extracurricular activities, and other educational accomplishments you’ve completed. Show them you want to keep learning!
5. SKILLS
There are two types of skills: hard and soft.
Hard skills refer to your technical abilities like computer skills, knowledge of specific software, spoken languages you know, certifications you’ve earned, etc.
Soft skills refer to personality traits like leadership, communication, organization, teamwork, and others which are considered “interpersonal” or “people” skills.
