Resume Best Practices

Best practices for resume writing

A well-crafted resume can make a powerful first impression on hiring managers. In today’s competitive job market, it is essential to optimize your resume to capture attention within a few seconds.

This document provides valuable recommendations on how to write an effective resume that highlights your qualifications and stands out from the crowd.

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01. Style

Be Targeted

Tailor your resume to showcase the specific qualifications required for the job. Customize it for each job title to maximize relevance.

Emphasize Results

Highlight your achievements in improving work processes, increasing quality, or reducing costs, satisfying customers, contributing to organizational goals, and receiving recognition for your contributions.

Use Action Words & Key Words

Start each sentence with a descriptive action verb and use past tense verbs to convey your capabilities. Avoid personal pronouns.

Be Complete and Make Points Fast

Spell out abbreviations and acronyms, use bulleted statements for clarity, and eliminate redundancies. Keep the resume concise, ideally on one page.

Visually Appealing

Maintain a consistent, professional format, and use white space effectively to enhance readability.

Skimmable Format

Make your resume easily scannable with impactful content that captures attention quickly.

02. Content

Objective

Replace generic objective statements with a compelling elevator pitch that summarizes your job goals, qualifications, and how you can provide value to prospective employers.

Inappropriate Email Addresses

Use a professional email address that includes your name and avoid unprofessional or offensive addresses.

Mailing Address

If relocation is a possibility, omit your current address unless it is relevant to the target location.

Multiple Phone Numbers

List one reliable phone number, preferably your mobile number, to avoid missing important messages.

Personal Details

Exclude unnecessary personal information like social security number, marital status, nationality, and hobbies unless directly relevant to the job.

Irrelevant Social Media Accounts

Remove personal social media account links from your resume, unless applying for a job that specifically requires them. Instead, provide links to professional profiles or portfolios.

Embedded Tables

Avoid using embedded tables or images, as they may cause issues with applicant tracking systems. Keep the formatting simple and clean.

Crazy Fonts and Colors

Opt for a basic, easy-to-read font like Arial or Times New Roman, and use a font size between 10-12 points. Avoid distracting colors.

Fluffy Buzzwords

Instead of generic buzzwords, use specific action verbs to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities andaccomplishments.

Provide Examples

Showcase your soft skills and abilities by providing concrete examples of your achievements and projects.

Edit Expertly

Carefully review your resume for word choice, achievements, and relevance. Seek feedback, read it aloud,
and remove unnecessary information to enhance clarity and impact.

03. Vocabulary

Numbers

Quantify your achievements with specific numbers to illustrate your impact, such as increasing sales by 200%.

Strong Action Verbs

Use powerful words like “redesigned,” “launched,” and “modernized” to showcase your leadership and problem-solving skills.

Value and Results Orientation

Use words like “value” and “valuable” to highlight your focus on improving business outcomes and producing results.

Specificity

Be specific in describing actions, goals, and accomplishments, using verbs like “influenced,” “improved,” and “achieved”.

Leadership and Management

Leadership and Management: Highlight your role in shaping ideas and projects with action verbs like “create,” “lead,” and “manage”.

04. Conclusion

By following these best practices, you can create a compelling and concise resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and achievements. Remember to tailor your resume for each job application and maintain a professional and visually appealing format. With a well-crafted resume, you can make a lasting impression.

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Sources: https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/16-things-you-should-remove-from-your-resume ; https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/words-to -include-in-resume/ utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0523_us_newsletter&utm_content=20230518_skills&utm_messageId=c0b0fa3ed46e464d940a8e6b54c25fe6