Everyone knows that first impressions are vital. When it comes to applying for a new job, your resume is the first impression your prospective employer will have of you. Therefore, it is vital you get it right and present yourself in the best possible light. A well-crafted resume will dramatically increase your chance of being asked to interview for a position and should shorten your job search time. Here are the top 5 tips for writing a great resume from Maxim Recruitment:
1. Great Presentation
Most humans are very visual. Therefore, make sure your resume looks attractive. While we recommend some creativity and individuality, be careful not to make it too over the top. It should be laid out in a clear, logical fashion which allows for quick skim reading as well as highlighting the most important areas such as your education and your previous experience. We recommend using bold or even coloured formatting on the headings to make individual areas stand out.
2. Update It Regularly
Every piece of experience you gain (that is relevant) should be added to your resume. Of course, before you set off on a new job hunt, make sure you completely update your resume from the last time you applied with it. However, sometimes job searches can take several months. In the meantime make sure you’re always keeping your resume current, especially if you are actively working to upskill yourself. We recommend you periodically update your resume even if you’re not looking for work to minimise the task of updating it when you do start actively searching for your next job.
3. Tailor The Personal Statement
A short personal statement should be included at the top of your resume. This is the most important element which should be tailored to specific job descriptions. While the lists of your education and previous experience will most likely stay the same, your personal statement is your opportunity to showcase exactly how well you suit each different position. We recommend writing this personal statement alongside the job description so you can easily refer to skills and experience they highlight as important to them. A generic personal statement will stand out as being exactly that: generic.
4. Be Honest
Sounding too good to be true on your resume presents two main problems. Firstly, your employer is likely to be sceptical to have found someone seemingly so perfect, or perhaps overqualified, for the position. Secondly, if you put something untrue on your resume, you are going to look foolish when you are asked about it during the interview and cannot provide accurate or believable information. Never lie on your resume.
5. Proof It!
There is nothing worse than a resume which is filled with spelling and grammar errors. Remember, first impressions matter and a resume with mistakes in it implies carelessness, laziness and a lack of attention to detail; all qualities which do not appeal to employers. If the written word isn’t your strong point, ask a friend or colleague to read over your resume and check it for any mistakes before you send it.
