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resume.supply-Resume writing amp job application tips
resume.supply-Resume writing amp job application tips
resume.supply/tips
Resume writing can be challenging, but creating an effective resume can drastically
increase your chances when competing for a new position regardless of your field. What
follows is the collated list of my top tips for effective resume writing and some related
resources.
Nowadays, it is easier than ever for people across the country to compete for the same
remote job. These increases in job market competition mean that anything you can
do to help your applications stand out from your rivals is worth spending some time and
effort on.
Hiring managers are busy people, so you cannot expect them to read every word on
your resume. Therefore, it is best practice to use plenty of headings and new sections to
break down your resume into a scannable, and more readable format.
To make your resume even more digestible, be careful about the info you include and
the wording you use. Do not mention old achievements that do not relate sufficiently to
the role. Keep the wording simple and brief, while still making your highlights clear.
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5. Use the first person singular
An obvious one perhaps, but still worth mentioning as this is a surprisingly common
mistake. As you are writing about yourself, you need to use the first person singular
tense. That means 'I', 'me', 'my', 'mine' and 'myself', although you can leave out
pronouns in most cases.
For most job seekers, this choice comes down to three options:
Functional: This format is focused on your skills rather than experience. The functional
format only mentions your work experience under different skill categories so you quickly
backingup your skills with relevant experience. This way you can highlight your technical
and soft skills.
Combined: A mix of both of the above, the combined format usually begins with your
skills and then goes into the reverse-chronological list of work experience. This format is
recommended for job seekers from diverse backgrounds that may not be as relatable to
the job they are going for.
7. Printing
Despite making progress towards a paperless world, many businesses will still prefer to
see printed versions of resumes. Therefore, you should always print it out first and make
sure it is looking clear and legible before you start submitting it.
8. Tailor it
To give you the best chance of securing your dream job, you must ensure that you edit
your resume to target different job roles and companies. For example, you could
highlight the most relevant skills or experience for the role by moving them higher up
on the document or describing them in more detail.
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Links to irrelevant social media profiles, although if you are active on LinkedIn this
can be important, and in some cases your professional Instagram may be worth
sharing.
ID number, as this will not be required for most applications.
There is a fine line between being professional in your language and being boring. Your
resume is there to sell yourself, so you need to be enthusiastic. Do not try to include
every technical industry buzzword, keep it simple and clear, focus on showing them how
confident you are in your abilities and how proud you are of your achievements.
11. Skills
Only mention your most specific and relevant skills. Do not include general skills like
‘good listener’ and always try to back up the skills with examples from your career. For
example, rather than simply writing ‘Persuasiveness’ elaborate with an example:
‘Persuasiveness - Winning 3 new clients in 1 month at *Company Name*’.
Nobody will want to hear about your Saturday job in a shop, holiday job, or teenage
years working a paper-round if you are now an adult looking for an office job. So, please
avoid wasting space on your resume by mentioning irrelevant work experience like the
above.
Although you may want to mention your top achievements elsewhere on your resume,
in your profile, for example, you should still include these in your work experience
section. Showing you excelled at each of the jobs listed on your resume with an
impressive achievement is far more persuasive than simply listing your job title and
duties.
14. References
It is always good to have some references prepared for when potential new employers
come investigating. So, if you haven’t already, reach out to ex-employers and managers
you know think highly of you.
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Many employers will be on the lookout for applicants who are not careful enough to
ensure an error-free resume. If you are not confident with your spelling or grammar, or
even if you are, it is always a good idea to use a free spelling and grammar checker like
Grammarly to ensure your resume is flawless.
17. Proofreading
When you are happy with your resume, it is always a good idea to have someone else
check it over for you. Ask a trusted friend, colleague, or recruiter to read it through and
give you their notes. Keep in mind that the more you pore over a document the more
you can become blind to obvious issues.
1. Send your resume from a professional email address. This means an email
address with nothing silly like a nickname or anything other than your real name
and, if required, a string of letters to differentiate it. You can set up a new email for
free on Gmail if you need a more professional one for job applications.
2. Always send your resume in a PDF file format. PDFs are the correct format for
documents that you don’t want to be edited and will make you appear more
professional and tech-savvy.
Are you struggling with a particular question about your resume or job search, or do you
have suggestions for other topics to cover? Drop me an email, and I'll try to add it to my
to do-list.
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Vicky Blom
As a professional recruiter, I have over 10 years of experience helping candidates find
work with businesses that match their skills, personalities and goals. Here on Resume
Supply, I share some of the key things I have learned over my career to help job
seekers with resumes, applications and interviews.
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