A resume is simply a summary of a potential employees job qualifications. Because employers will only spend a limited amount of time looking at each individual resume, it's important to know what will catch an employer's eye, making the resume stand out from the pile.
Keep it Short
Ideally, a resume should be 1-2 pages maximum. For the most part, employers are busy people. An employer is less likely to flip through a 4-5 page resume of a potential employee. That takes entirely too much time. The goal of a resume is to summarize skills and experience. More often than not, an employer will not even read the resume; instead, he will skim the resume, searching for an overview of the potential employers traits as a future worker.
A Resume Should be Simple
When writing a resume, being concise is very important. As stated earlier, the employer will probably just skim the resume, and long drawn out sentences are nearly impossible to skim. It’s important to limit sentences to main ideas, providing no additional details.
Write in Active Voice
Active voice uses little to no linking verbs (am, is, are, was). A resume will be much more effective if it incorporates action verbs. Not only are these easier to skim over, but they will also leave a more significant impression in the employer’s mind.
Don’t Attach References to a Resume
Unless an employer has specifically asked for references to be attached, it’s best not to add them to the end of the resume. A simple statement like “references available upon request” is sufficient. To an employer, a list of references is simply a list of names and phone numbers, and that is more information that he/she will have to sift through.
Use Traditional Fonts in a Resume
The font on a resume should be a type that is easy to read. Using blocked, bubbled or outlined font makes a resume difficult to skim, and it gives the appearance that the potential employer is impractical.
Make Use of Sub-Headings in a Resume
Though the majority of the text in a resume should not be bolded, using bold font for sub-headings will make the information stand out. It makes the information easier to skim, and thus, the employer can attain a more complete summary of a potential employer’s skills.
Include an Email Address in a Resume
One of the best resume writing tips may be to include an email address on a resume. This is a technological era, and many employers use email to request references, set up interviews, and hire employees. The email address should be professional sounding, containing no slang or profanity. And because of the many free email providers available, setting up a professional email address is an easy task.
These tips will make the most out of a resume. A resume is the first step in applying for a job, and employing these suggestions will increase the odds of resume views.
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