Following resume tips can make a big difference in your job search because a well-put-together resume can catch the attention of ideal employers, especially if your resume has work experience related to the field you are interested in pursuing. If you do not have the required work experience, there are plenty of ways to get started, such as volunteering or interning. This article will assist you with all stages of building a resume that stands out above the rest, so you can be hired for your dream job.
1. Organizing Information
When putting together your resume, you must consider what order to put your information in. This makes your resume easier to read for employers and spot information that is important to know.
For the resume order, the first thing you should have is your Objective. A resume objective should be 2-3 concise and compelling sentences to snapshot your professional experience, skills, and achievement, as well as explain why you are the perfect candidate for the job. This helps potential employers better understand how hiring you would benefit their company. An example of an objective would be: “Freelance Virtual Assistant looking to transition to the position of an Executive Assistant. Worked with 5+ online businesses, helping with everything from data entry to customer support. Excellent attention to detail & organizational skills.” Another example could be: “3rd-year medical student looking for a summer job as a receptionist. Experience with customer service via part-time jobs as a cashier and waitress. Social, positive, and hard-working.”
Next in the resume, you should include information about your education, starting with your most recent qualification. You should include the school’s name, the dates you attended, and what degree or certification you earned. This listing process applies even if you have not finished college; however, it would be beneficial to list college courses you have completed and state when you plan to graduate, from what institution, and with what degree.
After this, share details about your job experience, with your most recent work first. For each position, list your job skills in an order that makes sense. If you have many job skills, consider putting them into subgroups so they can be easier to understand. Make sure to include a mixture of your hard skills (i.e., training staff, copywriting, graphic design, or foreign language) and your soft skills (i.e. emotional intelligence, communication, time management, and critical thinking). Including this information in your work history section helps the potential employer better understand your work experience and skill set.
Lastly, you can include additional information about your experiences and special skills. Here is where you share your projects, achievements, licenses, certificates, hobbies, or foreign languages. This information can help get you noticed by employers for more specific types of jobs.
2. Choosing Your Style
Among the resume tips to consider is the particular style of formatting your resume so it stands out from other applicants. One thing that can help make a resume attract attention is the type of font you use. When people think of what font to use, it is usually Times New Roman black with a 12-point font; however, there are other recommended fonts for resumes like Cambria, Georgia, Garamond, the Book Antigua, and Didot.
Even though you have several font options, you must consider the pros and cons of using each in your resume. For instance, Cambria makes your resume easy to read, but it may be considered outdated for modern jobs. Georgia can be a fine choice if you want to make your resume look more up-to-date and accessible; however, it can be hard to stand out since it is a popular font.
You do not have to choose just one font style in some of your resumes; rather, you can pair two different types together. For instance, you can pick one font for titles and subheadings, then the other for your detailed information. You may also consider using italics and bold to highlight important information in your resume, such as your degree or job positions. Bolding is an excellent option for drawing attention to a few words and subtitles without enlarging their font size. Choosing the right font can help make a difference in making your resume stand out, so be sure to carefully consider your options.
3. Getting Work Experience
Of the resume tips, perhaps the most important is to assess whether you have sufficient experience to add to your resume. If you do not, there are plenty of ways to gain relevant experience.
Internships and apprenticeships are great ways to gain hands-on, real-life experience and skills. When looking for internships, you can use LinkedIn.com since it has many filters that can help narrow your search. Furthermore, once you have completed your LinkedIn profile, it can also recommend training relevant to your interests. Another option is an apprenticeship, which is when someone who is a beginner receives direct guidance from an expert. This can help you gain the necessary skills that employers seek. Resources like apprenticeship.gov help you search for employers across the country and apply directly for their apprenticeship programs. And who knows? Maybe your manager at the company hiring you as an intern or apprentice will enjoy your work so much that they will eventually hire you as a paid employee.
Volunteer work is also an excellent option if you want to give back to your community while gaining experience. Volunteering reflects not only your skills but also your character and values. These qualities are essential to employers as a good indicator of who you are and how dedicated you can be to the company. You can also meet others while volunteering to expand your network in your professional field. To find these opportunities that can boost your resume, you can search for them with online tools like volunteer.gov. Consider volunteering for WorldWise Tutoring’s partner organization, a nonprofit called Educate. Radiate. Elevate. which provides no-cost tutoring to underserved students.
Conclusion
Grabbing an employer’s attention with just your resume can be challenging, but with these resume tips, you can improve your chances of doing so. Remember to organize your information in a way that is unique and easy to read. Select a font that is current and adds style to your resume. And if you do not have enough work experience, seek intern, apprentice, and/or volunteer opportunities.
If you need more help with your resume, job search, interview preparation, and/or deciding on a career path, WorldWise Tutoring can help! Our expert educators can provide personalized instruction to help you land your dream job!
Written by Xavien Timoll
