Everyone wants to land a stable and well-paying job that will help them live a comfortable and fulfilling life. However, before you decide to take the plunge and dive into looking for gainful employment, you’re going to need a detailed and well-written resume. Writing a resume can be a daunting and intimidating task. It comes with many fears especially for a fresh graduate, or even seasoned work veteran, who is entering the job market. They will most likely be looking for work to pay off the mountains of student loan debt that has been dumped on their shoulders and with an already saturated market, this proves to be difficult, especially in the middle of a pandemic.
When it comes to writing a CV, there are many conflicting opinions about the “dos and don’ts” which need to be adhered to. Each company looks for something different when making additions to their work culture. We all know the basics of constructing a resume which include things such as your contact information, your work experience, accolades and any additional skills that are related to the job description. The last thing that you want is for your resume to look unqualified or even worse, unprofessional. Your resume needs to be able to catch the employer’s attention so you can stand out.
Here are some helpful tips on how to make a CV look professional as well as aesthetically appealing.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT RESUME
- Keep It Simple Silly
As a first impression, your resume is often your ticket to entry. The goal is to get invited in for an interview because it. Focus on making an impression and keep it simple. If the resume is longer than a page, make sure the content relevant, concise, and shows a clear career progression. A study done Ladders, that tracks eye movement, found that resumes that followed the “E” and “F” layout were deemed the “top performing resumes” which meant that recruiters spent more time looking at those resumes than others. - List Your Work History
While it is important to mention all your work experience, you need to keep in mind that you need to be concise. Only list the jobs relevant to the skills required for the job you are applying for. You can speak about your other past experience during the interview. This will show the employer that you have what it takes to carry out specific responsibilities for the position that they will entrust you with. - How to Lie
In a study done by MyPerfectResume, resume titles bare little importance on whether or not you are qualified. However, they do matter if you falsify a title to make yourself look better and are caught. The only time it is acceptable to lie on your resume is if the title does not reflect the actual job responsibilities of the role and you create a title that accurately reflects the job you did. - Font
In the same study done by Ladders, the resume’s that were considered “top-performers” had clear, easy-to-read fonts. The size was legible and job titles were emboldened to stand out. Recruiters and hiring managers see, on average, 30-40 resumes per job posting out of the 250 people that apply. The more visually appealing the font is with the appropriate amount of white space, the higher chance the recruiter will spend more time reviewing it. - Format is Important
It is important to make your resume look professional and this means that is has to be written according to a standardized and acceptable format. The first thing seen on your resume should be the header, followed by your opening statement and a short list of relevant skills. Next comes your work history in chronological order finishing up with your education and certifications.
CONCLUSION
The job market has become quite challenging over the last few months. The concept of landing a good job in 2020 seems like a stretch at best. However, things are looking up as new skills enter the market and places begin to hire again. The key to getting back into the job market is a solid resume and the only way to do this is by following these simple tips to make sure you get called in for an interview. For more tips and information, follow us on social media or schedule a free consultation with an InterviewPros. professional today.