Ten simple steps to craft the perfect resume
Your resume is the first point of contact for potential employers.
It is the first place they will go to decide whether you are a good fit for their company.
Often it is the deciding factor for whether or not you will be invited for an interview.
Just like any other first impression, making a good impression on your resume is crucial to your job search success.
A resume allows you the opportunity to show off your skills, achievements and previous work history and attempt to make a lasting impression on your potential employer.
However, if you find writing a resume a bit tricky, don’t worry; you aren’t alone.
Writing a resume can be a daunting experience – having to lay everything out in writing and present it to companies in the hopes of being employed is, can feel a little scary.
We have some good news — this fear significantly decreases when you have a resume you are proud of.
So, with so much riding on the success of a resume, how exactly do you write a winning resume?
Follow along as we jump into our top tips and tricks for resume writing, and you will be an expert in no time.
- Know who you are writing to
When submitting a resume, it’s essential to understand your target audience.
Different industries will have different expectations of your writing style and what’s necessary to include in a resume.
It’s important to cater your resume to these expectations.
Ideally, it’s also best to adjust your CV and resume based on each new job application.
This way, you can do your research and tailor your resume to the company you are applying to.
- Choose a clean and professional format
Before potential employers have even taken the time to read your resume, they will notice the format.
There are so many free online resources that you can access to select a format.
Using these resources, you can select a resume format that highlights your best qualities, whether it be work history or personal accomplishments, in a clean and organised manner.
- Include a summary
Towards the top of your resume, we recommend including a summary.
This summary should highlight who you are and what kind of value you could bring to a potential employer.
Make sure to tailor your summary to the specific job you are applying for.
Ideally, the summary should allow the hiring manager to quickly decipher if you are a good fit for the position.
- Make sure to showcase your skills
Often, people neglect to include a skills section on their resume.
However, we recommend including a dedicated section focused entirely on your skills.
It’s helpful not to list vague skills but specific skills, including your proficiency levels.
Remember to tailor your skills to the job you are applying for and to include any certificates or qualifications in this section.
- Highlight your work experience
Including your previous work experience will help potential employers judge if you will be a good fit for their team.
Your work experience may include any previous paid work, internships or volunteer work.
Make sure to include start and finish dates and a brief description of your specific duties while in each role.
- Showcase your education
It’s a good idea to include your education history within your resume.
Ensure to include all relevant details, like the names of any institutions you attended, dates of attendance and any degrees or certifications you earned through your attendance.
If you are a recent graduate, including any academic achievements may also be a good idea.
- Show off your extracurricular activities
Including extracurricular activities is a good way to give potential employers a taste of who you are holistically.
In this section, you can include any clubs, organisations, community service projects or hobbies that you partake in that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
This is a good place to demonstrate leadership qualities and teamwork skills.
- Tailor your resume for each application
Hiring teams read hundreds of resumes, so it’s important for yours to stand out.
You can do this by making the extra effort to tailor your resume for each application, ensuring your skills match those required and your work history and extracurricular activities are relevant to the role.
Hiring managers don’t want to see the same recycled resume that has unneeded information and irrelevant skillsets, so make sure to take the time to tailor your resume for each new application.
- Proofread and edit
You want to be proud of your resume; that means knowing for sure it’s free of errors or grammatical mistakes.
Make time to proofread your work several times (we recommend reading it out loud as this often highlights any mistakes you were otherwise missing), and ask a friend or family member to edit it for you to get a second opinion.
- Seek professional assistance if needed
If you are struggling with putting together the perfect resume or simply need a little extra guidance, consider contacting a professional service, such as a Disability Employment Services company.
These experts can help you to put your resume together, highlighting your strengths and unique abilities and offer personalised advice and recommendations on navigating the job market.
These services are also government funded, so you don’t have to worry about the price.
While writing a resume can be a little bit time-consuming and, let’s face it, exhausting, it’s well worth it to have on hand when opportunities arise in the future.
By following these tips and tricks, you can build the perfect resume in no time.
Whether you are entering the job market for the first time, changing your career path or climbing the workplace ladder — having a well-considered resume up your sleeve is a wise move.
We wish you the best of luck with your job search.
Remember, if you’re living with injury, illness or disability and need any additional assistance, Disability Employment Services are available to help you perfect your resume and navigate the job market.