The Basics of Writing a Professional Resume

A resume is a written compilation of your education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments. Most professional positions require you to send in your resume and cover letter during the application process. 

Since your resume is the first document a hiring manager will look at when reviewing your application, it needs to be accurate and updated. Therefore, it is necessary to put in time and effort into developing a fair representation of your skill sets.

Whether you are writing your first resume or just updating one, here are some tips that will help you land that dream job.

Understand the purpose of the resume.

You must understand what the resume is and why it is required. It gives the hiring manager an overview of the qualifications you have for the job you’re applying to. It displays all your experience and qualifications that make you right for the job. 

Interestingly enough, a lot of the interviews are completed before the meeting itself. A resume is your first impression and will determine the employer’s attitude during your talk. 

Choose the right format for your resume.

When displaying your best self, it’s crucial to find the format that works for you. Here are a few of the three most used formats: 

Chronological format

This format places the professional history section first and is a good option if you have a rich professional work history with no employment gaps. 

Functional resume format

This format emphasizes the skills section and is a good option if you are switching industries or have some gaps in your work history

Combination of both functional and chronological 

This resume format is a good option if you have some professional experience, where both skills and work history are equally important.

What to include in your resume:

• Name and contact information: Your title should be highly visible at the top of your resume with a bolded or larger font than the rest of the document, but no more than 14-point size.
• Objective: This part of the resume explains your career goals and is the right choice for those fresh out of college or high school with limited or no experience. 
• Skills: Review the job description and prioritize the skills you attained that may be required. Consider both technical and interpersonal skills. 
• Job experiences: When writing the descriptions for the jobs you’ve held, focus on what you accomplished in each position rather than what you did. Be sure to match those accomplishments to the criteria of the position you are applying to. 
• Professional vocabulary: Throughout your resume, you should use words that attract the reader. For example, you managed, created, launched, achieved, etc. All these can help make you sound much more professional. 
• Education: Include all your education history with the institutions’ names and the years you attended. You can also mention your certificates here. 

What to avoid while writing your resume:

• Don’t use funky fonts that will be difficult to read. Do not use italics, bold features unnecessarily. 
• Do not use too many colors in the resume. Just black is enough.
• Do not include experiences that are utterly irrelevant to the position you seek. 
• Don’t forget to include copies of all relevant documents, such as certificates. 

All in all, a resume is the crux of your application. Interviews can be won by resumes and serve as a large factor in the company’s decision-making. As you continue to build up an application, be sure to format it in a format that suits your credibility.