Your resume is often the first impression a potential employer will have of you, making it crucial to craft an impressive and effective document. Here are some tips to help you write an excellent resume:
Keep your Resume to 1 Page
Make sure your resume is clean and professional-looking, with little or no color and no pictures. Lines and headers are okay. Chronological order with the most recent on top. Use bullet points instead of paragraphs. Avoid using your school email if possible, and avoid personal topics like hobbies and family.
Focus Your Content on Leadership, Work through School, and Volunteerism
Use phrases and keywords from the application and job description, as this is very important. Your resume (and interview) should convey that you are Humble, Hungry and Smart. Don’t panic about less than a 4.0 GPA; instead, be honest and authentic.
Use the STAR Format to Highlight Your Accomplishments
The Situation-Task-Action-Result (STAR) format is a structured way of presenting your accomplishments in a clear and concise manner. It consists of four key elements: situation, task, action, and result. Using the STAR format on your resume helps you to effectively communicate your accomplishments and demonstrate how you added value in previous roles. Be sure to use metrics, figures, and quantifiable data to demonstrate the impact you had.
Tailor Your Resume to Job Posts
To make the best impression on potential employers, it is important to tailor your resume to each job post you apply for. This means researching the company and the role you are applying for and highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position. Be sure to use keywords from the job post in your resume, as many companies use applicant tracking systems that scan resumes for specific keywords.
Saving and Submitting Your Resume as a PDF File
When saving and submitting your resume, it is recommended to save it as a PDF file for submission. Writing your resume in a word processor like Word or Google Docs is an excellent way to write your resume, but PDF files are widely accepted and maintain the formatting of your resume, which will ensure that it will look the same on any device it is opened on. To be clear, you should still write your resume in a word processor, and then export to PDF when you’ve crafted it for an employer. Submitting your resume as a PDF file also protects your formatting and content from being changed or altered during the submission process.
In conclusion, crafting an effective resume takes time and effort, but it is an important step in securing your dream job. By following these tips, you can create a resume that effectively showcases your skills, experiences, and achievements, and helps you stand out from other candidates.