Creating the perfect resume is not as hard as you would imagine. A little care and time taken will ensure you have an accurate, well formatted and stylish record of your work history, professional skills and accomplishments which will be a positive reflection on your capabilities for potential employers.
Choose a style of resume that will not date quickly and is easy to read. Unless you are applying for roles in the creative industries, bright and colorful fonts and swirling add-ons are not the right resume styles for you. Professional, well-spaced and clear resume formats will suit most professions.
Update your resume regularly and keep your information current. If you complete a successful new project, if you obtain a new qualification or change jobs ensure you add this to your resume. Keeping your resume updated as you gain new skills and experience will make certain that you are always ready should your dream job suddenly become available.
Think carefully before adding a profile picture to your resume. If you have model good looks and you are applying for a role where your face could be your fortune then by all means include the photograph. However, in most roles your photo could be a distraction and may cause the recruiter to form an impression other than that which you are trying to convey.
For example, you may have a serious expression in your photograph, regardless of how cheerful your nature is, and the recruiter may be looking for a candidate with positive and happy characteristics. Your resume and cover letter may prove you have the right skills and experience for the role but it may not even be read as the recruiter has formed an opinion based on your picture.
Ensure you have used sufficient keywords and industry language throughout your resume. You need to convey that you are highly skilled and knowledgeable in your field and the use of keywords is the best way to demonstrate this. Do not get too technical; keep the words generic and appropriate to the category of work.
Make sure that you keep your resume concise. Do not scatter information throughout the resume, leaving the reader to hunt for facts. Ensure you have the key information readily available and easy to find. Your resume is not a treasure hunt; it is an important document stating your professional records and facts.
Don’t forget to include essential information on your resume such as your current phone number and email address. Many resumes are sent out, appearing professional and perfect, with the candidate’s name heading the document and their skills and abilities well documented and formatted. However, the candidate is not able to be contacted as they have omitted their contact details from the resume. You may have included your contact information on your cover letter or accompanying email, but the resume may be passed on to other HR people within the department or company so do ensure your contact details are part of the resume.
