Resume Writing Tips You Can Use Anytime

If you're reading this, you might be feeling stressed and overwhelmed about updating your resume. Maybe you've just been laid off, or perhaps you've been warned about upcoming layoffs. Either way, we're here to help you navigate this process with confidence and ease.

First things first, let's talk about what your resume should include. Typically, a resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information: Your name, address, phone number, and email address.

• Summary/Objective: A brief statement that summarizes your skills and experience.

• Work Experience: A list of your previous job titles, companies, and job descriptions.

• Education: A list of your degrees and any relevant coursework or certifications.

• Skills: A list of your relevant skills, such as programming languages or software proficiency.

The Do's

When it comes to writing your resume, keep in mind that hiring managers often receive dozens (if not hundreds) of applications for a single job opening. That means your resume needs to stand out and grab their attention right away. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

• Use keywords: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific keywords related to the job opening. Make sure to include relevant keywords in your resume to increase your chances of getting noticed.

• Be concise: Keep your resume to one or two pages at most. Hiring managers don't have time to read through lengthy resumes, so make sure to highlight your most relevant experience and skills.

• Use bullet points: Break up your work experience and skills into bullet points for easy reading. This also helps to make your resume more visually appealing.

• Be honest: Don't exaggerate or lie about your experience or skills. Hiring managers can usually tell when someone is being dishonest, and it can hurt your chances of getting the job.

• Avoid using generic language: Use specific language to describe your experience and skills. For example, instead of saying "responsible for managing projects," say "successfully managed multiple projects with budgets of up to $500,000."

The Dont's

It's also important to avoid common pitfalls when writing your resume. Here are a few things to avoid:

• Typos and grammatical errors: Make sure to proofread your resume carefully, or have someone else do it for you.

• Using a generic template: Your resume should be unique to you and your experience. Avoid using generic templates that don't showcase your skills and experience effectively.

• Using a template that is too loud: Your resume should be unique to you however you should avoid using resume templates that focus more on graphics and not on content. A lot of companies use systems to filter out resumes by keywords. If your resume can't be scanned by their systems then you may be skipped over before you've had a chance to show your skills.

• Including irrelevant information: Stick to the relevant information that pertains to the job you're applying for. Don't include personal details or hobbies that aren't relevant to the position.

• Using too many fonts: Stick to one or two fonts for your resume. Using too many fonts can make your resume look messy and unprofessional.

Resources

Here are some online resources that can help you with your resume:

• Canva: This site offers free resume templates and design tools to make your resume visually appealing.

• Grammarly: This site offers a free writing tool that can help you catch errors and improve your writing.

• LinkedIn Learning: This site offers online courses on resume writing and career development.

• MyPerfectResume: This site offers resume templates and tips, as well as a resume builder tool.

• ChatGPT: ChatGPT is an incredibly powerful application and it can even help you refine and customize your resume for positions you'd like to apply to.

Remember, updating your resume can be a daunting task, but it's an important step in your job search. With these tips and resources, you can create a resume that showcases your skills and experience effectively, and helps you stand out from the crowd.

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