A resume is a document that you use to apply for jobs, internships and other opportunities. It’s meant to be an overview of your skills and experiences that highlights how those would make you a valuable addition to the company or organization. However, it can be hard to know what format is most effective or what information should be included on your resume. Here are some helpful tips:
What do I include in my resume?
To make sure you get the job you want, it’s important to know what you should include in your resume. The following are some of the things I recommend including:
Education: Include all relevant degrees, certificates, and professional certifications. You should also note any honors that were bestowed upon you while in school (such as Dean’s List) or any awards (such as scholarship awards) that may have been earned at the time of graduation.
Experience: This section should include all work experience related to the position for which you’re applying. Be sure to use action verbs and active voice when writing this section of your resume so that it reads well; don’t simply list dates next to job titles! Use bullets if possible instead of paragraph form – this will help highlight each item on your resume with ease!
Skills: Also known as “Qualifications” or “Skills & Abilities”, this is where a candidate can show off their hard work outside of school by listing their non-academic accomplishments such as leadership roles within organizations or clubs – anything that shows how great they are at what they do! Many people think this section shouldn’t be included because it doesn’t directly relate back into academia/work experience but I strongly disagree – especially if there aren’t many other things listed here besides education info (which usually takes up most space).
References: Most people don’t want strangers looking over their shoulder so make sure only those who know about these references know about them too (i’ve seen someone write down “Mr.” followed by his first name).
What should my resume look like?
When formatting your resume, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Remember that you only have a few seconds to make an impression on the hiring manager, so it’s important that you present yourself in the best possible light. Here’s what you should include:
Two columns (unless you work for an arts organization)
Your name and contact information at the top of each page.
A font size between 10 and 12 with Times New Roman or Calibri as a default.
Make sure that everything looks neat and professional. No typos! If you’re not great with grammar, ask someone else to proofread your resume for spelling errors.
What shouldn’t be included on my resume?
Don’t include personal information that’s not relevant to the job.
Don’t include references.
Don’t include a photo, unless requested by the employer.
Don’t include a cover letter; it should go on your resume instead (see above).
Unless specifically asked for, don’t list salary requirements or other financial details about yourself in your resume; be sure to send them separately if necessary (more on this later).
Your resume should be concise and professional.
Keep it to one to two page.
Use a professional font, like Times New Roman or Arial.
Use a clean, simple layout.
Don’t use any special formatting (unless you are being interviewed for a job in graphic design).
Don’t include personal information, like your social security number or birthday.
We hope that this guide has helped you to create a resume that will land you your next job. Remember, the most important thing is to keep it simple and professional. Don’t forget to proofread, and always make sure to include your contact information at the bottom of your resume so that potential employers can reach out if they have any questions about hiring you for an interview (or offer!).
