A great job has caught your eye and you plan to apply? Then you need to write a résumé. If you think writing a résumé is not an easy task, you’re not alone! Here are 6 simple and practical tips to help you write a résumé that lands the job you deserve.
1. Meet the needs of the employer
Most people try to include as much information as possible about their past accomplishments and qualifications. This is the biggest mistake you can make. Recruiters don’t need to know everything about you — they want the information that matches their requirements for the job. Be very selective about what you include.
Focus on the content of the job offer you’re responding to. Don’t hesitate to repeat the keywords and phrases from that offer. By using the recruiter’s vocabulary, you make your résumé easier to read and understand.
2. Write a brief and simple résumé
Employers receive a huge number of résumés and don’t have time to read them all. Keep yours to two pages, and make every piece of information concise and simple:
- Use short sentences to describe your achievements.
- Use action verbs (develop, create, publish, etc.) to make your application more dynamic.
- Avoid little-known symbols and acronyms.
- Use bullet points to structure the document.
- Leave blank space between paragraphs.
- Use a font of at least 10 points.
3. Follow chronological order
With each new experience, you evolve and acquire new skills. Present your recent achievements first, followed by older ones — the same goes for qualifications and education. Recent experiences reflect your skills as they are now, giving you a better chance of quickly convincing the reader to keep going.
4. Be honest
You may have delicate points you’d rather hide — for example, a bad experience with a former employer. If you think they could be misinterpreted, it’s better not to mention them in the résumé. When you get an interview, explain your point of view and let the interviewer ask for clarification. We live in a world where people are more connected than ever; if you hide something, your new employer may eventually discover it, with a negative impact on your career.
5. Include an “Interests” section
The person who hires you will be a colleague you may spend a lot of time with. If you share interests with your interlocutor, you increase your chances of being retained. Including an “Interests” section gives an overview of who you are outside of work. It often comes at the end of the résumé — a good way to finish with a demonstration of your human qualities. For instance, if the job requires collaboration skills and you mention a volunteer activity, it sends a good signal.
6. Ask for feedback
After writing your résumé, have someone review it while presenting them the positions you’re applying for. Ask them to question your résumé in relation to those positions. This can help you discover its weaknesses or areas to clarify, and give you tips to rephrase sentences or add detail.
Job searches can be long, and writing a résumé is an indispensable task. Writing an effective one is an important step toward the job you want. With these tips, you’ll be ready to write a successful résumé and put all the chances on your side.
