Whether you are networking, applying for an internal position, or searching for jobs online, you would not get far without a professional resume!

Putting all of your expertise and skills simply on one page might be challenging, but there are numerous subtle ways to improve your resume.

We have compiled the top resume writing advice to help you get an interview!

A resume is a document commonly used in the hiring process. It contains details about your background and qualifications and should communicate the most crucial, relevant information about you to potential employers in a clear, easy-to-read format.

The objective is to quickly communicate why you are uniquely qualified for the position based on the skills and experiences you have. We have curated a few pointers below for you to take note of:

1. Start By Choosing The Right Resume Format

A “format” is the style and order in which you present information on your resume. You may select one of the three popular resume templates based on which is best for you: chronological (or reverse-chronological), functional, or hybrid — which is often known as combination.

For most job seekers, a hybrid resume format, which puts equal emphasis on skills and work experience, is the optimal choice. A chronological or functional resume, however, could be more effective in some circumstances.

Recruiters are accustomed to a chronological resume structure, which emphasizes relevant work experience and career advancements. If you have a rich professional work history with no gaps in employment, this option, which places the professional history section first, is a solid choice.

A functional resume structure emphasizes the skills and abilities section and minimizes work experience. If you are transferring sectors or have any gaps in your work history, it is an excellent alternative. As such, it is best for job seekers with no relevant work experience.

A hybrid resume structure puts equal emphasis on skills and experience and provides a lot of space for resume keywords. It combines the best elements of chronological and functional formats. It is a good option if you have some professional experience, where both skills and work history are equally significant.

2. Include Your Name And Contact Information

Your resume should begin with your name and contact information, such as your phone number and email address.

Use a professional-sounding email address. Consider creating a free Gmail account for your job search if you currently use a more outdated email service like Hotmail or AOL.

Your name should be prominently shown at the top of your resume in a font size of no more than 14 points and is either bolded or larger than the rest of the document.

You might also include a link to your online portfolio if you are applying to creative positions, for instance. Make sure to include the URL on your resume and build a strong LinkedIn presence.

This might seem obvious, but job applicants occasionally overlook a key piece of contact information in this section. Ensure that you verify everything, and make it as easy as possible for recruiters to get in touch with you.

3. Add A Resume Summary Or Objective

You have the option of including a resume summary or objective statement after your contact information.

An objective statement quickly explains your career aspirations and is a good choice for those with limited professional experience, such as recent college or high school graduates.

A resume summary is a succinct statement that uses active language to describe your relevant work experience and skills.

4. List Your Soft And Hard Skills

Consider the abilities that make you the best candidate for the position. Review the job description and highlight any keywords that you have previously used successfully.

When shifting careers, take into account your transferrable skills, as well as both hard (technical) and soft (interpersonal) skills. Include any necessary credentials, such as licenses or certificates, first.

Create a skills section with keywords that are vital to the employer. Resume keywords are significant phrases of interest that recruiters look for, whether they are scanning a resume or searching within an applicant tracking system (ATS).

The more role-specific keywords — often hard skills — your resume contains, the better optimized your resume is. Some ATS, like Taleo, can automatically compare the content of your resume against the job description, enabling recruiters to concentrate solely on the “best” applicants. Recruiters often search their applicant pool for key resume keywords, like “customer service” or “Adobe Photoshop”.

Look at the job description to discover which hard skills and soft skills are specified to find keywords to include in your resume. Anything necessary or repeatedly mentioned can be considered exceptionally crucial to the position.

You can also join over 1 million job seekers and use Jobscan to compare your resume to any job description. Jobscan assists you with resume optimization on all levels and frequently identifies keywords that are absent from the job description but are probably still crucial to recruiters.

5. List Your Professional History With Keywords

Write your professional history section in reverse-chronological sequence. Start with your most recent job and provide a brief summary. Include the name of the company, the duration of your employment, your job title, and a few noteworthy accomplishments during your time at the company.

There are a few recommended practices you should follow when listing your professional experience.

Use numbers to measure your impact, when possible. Including specific numerical accomplishments can help employers better comprehend your immediate prospective contribution to their company.

Next, use keywords from the job description. Similar to your skills section, you should also incorporate information from the job description in your job history bullets. If the job description stresses the significance of fulfilling sales targets, for instance, you could emphasize how you have achieved or surpassed quotas in prior positions.

Be concise. Employers have mere seconds to scan your resume, so you should ensure your descriptions are as concise and relevant as possible. Remove filler words like “and” and “the”. The number of lines detailing your position should also be reduced to just a few, key accomplishments.

Use action verbs. Make a stronger impact by using action verbs to describe your professional achievements. Some examples include “developed”, “saved”, “drove” and “managed”.

You might also include relevant learnings or growth opportunities you experienced while working there. If you do not have an extensive professional background, you should also include internships and volunteer opportunities using the same structure.

6. Include An Education Section

An education section will be extremely valuable if you have limited professional experience. This is especially for recent college or high school graduates or if you are switching careers.

You can include information such as relevant coursework; grade point average (if above 3.5); participation in clubs or organizations; leadership positions held; awards, achievements or certifications.

You should include the name of the institution, the dates you attended, and your degree or field of study in your education section. If you are applying to mid- or higher-level positions, the only information you should provide on your resume is the name of your school and dates of attendance. This will enable you to include more relevant professional experience on your resume.

You can also mention any certificates or licenses you possess that are relevant to the job description. Any qualifications that are not specifically relevant to the job criteria might be omitted to save space.

7. Format Your Resume

In addition to the layout of your resume, formatting considerations like font type, font size, margins, and space are also crucial.

Formatting your resume can make it look neat and professional and improve readability. This is essential if you want to maintain an employer’s interest.

Here are some vital pointers that will help your resume seem professional. Your typeface should be between 10 and 12 points in size. Avoid using fancy typefaces. Instead, choose a simple, easy-to-read font like Arial or Helvetica.

Aim for margins of 1 to 1.5 inches. Bold or enlarge the headings for your section and your name. However, they should be no more than 14 points. Next, use bullet points when listing several distinct pieces of information, such as under your education and career history sections.

8. Proofread Your Resume

Check your resume thoroughly for spelling, grammatical, and punctuation mistakes. You may use Grammarly, Hemingway, and Microsoft Word’s spell checker to review your resume for grammatical and spelling errors.

Reading your resume backwards can help you identify errors by presenting the words in a new order. Additionally, you should get a resume evaluation from dependable friends, colleagues, professors and family members. Third-party opinions can help you discover new details you might have overlooked.

If your resume is more than one page, look for methods to consolidate or shorten each section by eliminating filler words or extraneous information. If you are applying for high-level employment in fields like academia or the health care industry, two pages may be acceptable.

As aforementioned, you must pay particular attention to the headings and formatting very closely. Associated problems are frequently interpreted as an indication of poor technical ability and attention to detail.

Next, applicants frequently submit applications addressed to the incorrect employer or include expertise that is irrelevant to the position. Receiving a resume that is written and addressed to someone else — or worse, a rival — can be extremely off-putting and will create a negative tone even if they decide to read the rest of your application.

9. Tailor Your Resume For Each Position

Nowadays, it is relatively simple to fire off your resume to dozens of employers. However, if you have attempted this method, your success rate could have disappointed you. This may be the result of you skipping the step of tailoring your resume for each specific role, which recruiters can detect.

It is crucial to revise your resume so that it is tailored to each position you apply for. Ensure the keywords in the skills section are customized for each position to ensure a perfect fit with the employers’ requirements.

Depending on what is mentioned in the job description, you should also alter what you stress in the professional background and educational experiences sections.

Tailored resumes that align with job requirements and contain keywords from the job description will stand out to recruiters who often receive hundreds of resumes for each position. When you customize your resume to the job, you are also optimizing it for ATS, as many ATS enable recruiters to filter and search by keyword.

Now that you have put the finishing touches on your resume, it is time to start sending it off to potential companies, right? Not just yet.

A cover letter is a prerequisite for each job application. While your resume lists your work history and qualifications, your cover letter describes your enthusiasm for the position and how your background qualifies you for it.

In other words, your cover letter is your chance to persuade the hiring manager that you are the ideal person for the job.

We hope that this article has provided you with more knowledge to help you get your ideal job.

If you want to learn how to create a strong cover letter to pair with your resume, you can also read our guide here!