Your resume plays a vital role in your quest for a job. It is a form of self-advertisement that highlights your strengths, educational background and work experiences. In other words, it is a basis used by prospective employers in determining why they should at least invite you for an interview.

Here are some tips that can help you make a good resume and secure that spot for an interview.

What should be included?

Hiring managers look for certain information to determine why they should hire you or not. Here are some of the most important details that should be included in your resume.

  • Previous related work experience
  • Skills and qualifications that can be useful to the job
  • Accomplishments
  • Education
  • Personal experiences
  • Contact information

At the same time, hiring managers also look at the format, spelling and grammar and whether your resume is easy to read or not.

 

Tips on how to make a good resume

Assuming you have all the required information, here are tips on how to make a good resume that will stand out.

  • Your skills and qualifications should match the job you are applying for. Do not include previous experiences that are not related to the job at hand (unless it explains a noticeable career gap). The key to doing this is to incorporate the keywords used in the job posting in your resume.
  • Emphasize your work experiences and what you have done to help improve the company you used to or currently work for. Try to quantify your accomplishments and highlight 0how your actions added value to the company. At the same time, you should be able to demonstrate both your leadership and team player skills.
  • Highlight your awards and recognitions. It is easy to boast about your accomplishments. However, your resume will make more impact when all your efforts are recognized – formally. Even if you did not win an award, any implied recognition that you were selected, elected or recognized should be included too.
  • Include training sessions, seminars and/or certifications you’ve completed. This shows that you are still eager and willing to learn and improve in your chosen field.
  • Be concise. Hiring managers do not want to read large paragraphs of text so use bullet points when possible.
  • List academic and extra-curricular activities. This is important especially when you are a new graduate with limited or no work experience. List your GPA, relevant coursework, internships, school projects and participation in school organizations. These details still count so don’t hesitate to sell it to potential employers.

As the saying goes, first impressions last. Therefore, make every word count. By following these tips, you can surely make a resume that will get the hiring manager’s attention.

 

Click here to download view our Resume Template

 

Are you looking for a way to add to your work experience? Consider taking on a few temporary positions. You’ll build your resume, keep your interview skills sharp and avoid gaps in your work experience. Click here to learn more about TempsAhead’s opportunities for temporary or contract roles.