If you’re trying to find a new job, you’ll need a strong resume. The market right now is highly competitive in almost every field and it’s that resume that will win you an interview or get you nowhere. Understanding what to look for in good resume examples can be a step in the right direction. Below are some tips.
Summary Organization
The best resumes should be well organized. You want the potential employer to be able to scan the material and know in an instant if you might be a good fit for the job. Remember that he or she is probably receiving dozens, maybe even hundreds, of other resumes, so you won’t have time to read each one carefully at first.
While there are several different organization methods to use, the classic style is best for most professions. That means you should have clearly labeled sections that list your work experience, your education, your skills, and other relevant information. Individual articles in each category should be listed chronologically with the most recent information first.
summary presentation
Organization is clearly going to be a decisive issue with your resume. However, even a well-organized resume can be thwarted by poor presentation. Can you imagine sending a handwritten resume? People still do it, but they won’t get a job that way.
Your resume should always be typewritten, preferably using a high-quality computer and printer. Don’t skimp on ink when it comes to printing your resume. If the information is difficult to read, the resume will end up in the trash. Use high-quality paper for your resume, too, but avoid the vibrant colors that are so flashy at your local office supply store. Most of these stores have paper in blue, gray and ivory, which would be more appropriate. Pick up the matching envelopes too.
If you’ve ever seen examples of resumes riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, you can be pretty sure those people never got the job they were looking for. Most employers want workers with good attention to detail. If you can’t spot your own mistakes on your resume, then you might as well make big mistakes for them.
Resumes and what not to include
Although it seems like a great deal of time is spent telling people what to include on their resume, the reverse is rarely true. However, omitting information can be just as important.
For example, some people feel the need to list various information about themselves, such as what church they attend, what hobbies they have, and how long they have been married. Thankfully you don’t see this as much, but there’s definitely a generation out there who thinks this is perfectly acceptable and may even help them secure the job.
In some cases, personal data can make a difference. For example, if your son plays soccer for the employer’s favorite team, that could help him get the job. Even then, that piece of information doesn’t belong on the resume.