What makes an unbeatable resume?
For starters, it has to be simple. Just because you heard someone was offered a position with their super creative resume, doesn’t mean yours need to be. Recruiters can look at 50+ resumes per day, so you’ll be lucky if your resume gets 10 seconds of their attention. You only need 1 page to get your worth across.
Remember, the resume is just to get you the interview… You’re the reason you’ll get the job. So below is an example of everything that’s absolutely necessary in a resume.
1. Profile:
Here’s all your basic information. You only need to have the information that applies to you.
2. Professional Statement:
Here will go a statement on what you’ve done, and what you’re capable of professionally. It’s also a chance to show a potential employer what you’ll offer them in the office specifically.
This is especially important if you’re not going to use a cover letter. The rest of this is just filler, because something really awesome should fill this space. This is your second impression, because the resume is your first!
3. Experience:
You only need the two most recent and relevance job experiences. You can use three, if you think the job is pertinent to your job hunt. Remember we have limited real estate to keep the info on one page.
4. Skills (Professional and Personal):
You don’t need to rate your skills, but it forces the employer to look in that direction. If you rate your skills, don’t use less than 4 out of 5. There’s no need to advertise a mediocre skill…
Listing your personal skills will give you another chance to add keywords that your potential employer might search while filtering out resumes. Don’t forget, recruiters use software to help filter out applicants today.
5. Awards / Certifications:
Certifications are always recommended if you have any. Some jobs looks specifically for certifications.
6. Social (Optional):
Only list social links if your profile is 100% professional so a recruiter can do research on you; not dig up dirt of you posting political views…
Read more on why Social links can Ruin You.
7. Education:
If you have a degree, list it! But don’t let this show your age. If your degree was received over 6 years ago, there’s no need to put a date.
Everything you don’t need!
- No Pictures of you
- Links to personal social accounts
- Different fonts
Read more about the Top Resume Mistakes here.
