An overview on how to write a winning resume, including do's and don'ts for a successful first impression.
A resume alone will not win you a good job, but a strong CV can earn you the possibility of an interview. As when a potential job candidate enters a room and the employer registers that all-important first impression, a winning resume can catch the interviewer's eye and help advance the candidate to that next step.
Key Factors in a Winning Resume
A good resume should not only flow well, but also be appealing to the eye.
The format must be aesthetically pleasing: clean and not too busy. Stick with one font and only a few different font sizes. Bold the important headings, but stay away from too much underlining or italics within the body of the resume.
You may choose to highlight the most important parts with a more prominent size. For instance, the candidate’s name should be in the largest size, followed by the job title and individual headings such as experience and education. Finally, the body should be somewhere between 10.5 and 12 pt. font.
When listing career highlights, it is crucial to list specific details, not merely that one “has a proven track record.” It is much more effective to distinct examples, such as “achieved 25% of $2.5 million quota in first half of 2005.”
Or instead of adding an attribute such as “good communicator,” it is more appropriate to say something like: “Participated in numerous fundraising benefits to help non-profit organization gain needed funds in excess of $10,000.”
Another key consideration is to play up the small things. Where greeting customers and answering phones may seem mundane to someone who does it every day, it is an essential factor in the smooth running of a company. Make sure it is listed. Any type of internship or volunteer work can greatly improve your marketability as well.
What Should Not be Included on a Resume
For many years, people listed their objectives on their resumes. This can be considered an outdated practice. Instead, a paragraph describing the applicant’s key talents and abilities should be on the top third of the first page, after the contact information and desired job title. Leave off the objectives and stay away from first-person references as well. It will be apparent to the prospective employer who the resume is about.
A resume is also not the place to post personal information. Leave off marital status, health conditions, age and any physical characteristics. Volunteer work is different, however, and should be listed - not only if it is relevant to the position, but also if it can show the overall skills and experience of the applicant.
The Final Touch
When you've finished writing your first draft of the revenue, print it and look at it carefully. Proofread, proofread and proofread! Read it out loud. Then tape it to the wall and stand back. It may sound silly, but it is the best way to see the visual effect. Are margins too big? Headings unbalanced? Name too small?
Again, resumes are not too different from the interview wardrobe. An applicant wouldn’t walk in without a quick glance in the mirror to make sure all buttons are done, hair is in the right place and nothing is in the teeth. Resumes must have no misspellings, no typos, no inconsistencies.
That first impression must be a success. Good luck!
