It’s been said that you’ve got just 7 seconds to make an impression on a recruiter. So, having a sharp, well-written resume is key to landing the career of your dreams.
But knowing how to create one can be confusing. Where do you start? What do you include? What do you leave out?
Here at AOLCC, we’ve been helping students enter the workforce for over 35 years, and we’ve learned plenty when it comes to tips for writing a great resume. Here’s 7 resume tips that’ll help you get the job.
1. Think about what contact info you’ll include.
The only contact info you truly need on your resume is your name, your phone number, and an email address. If you’ve got a nicely filled-out LinkedIn profile, that’s often worth adding, too. Keeping it this simple means your resume header is nice and clean and leaves more room for selling your skills and qualifications.
There’s some debate about adding your address, so let’s put it simply: if you think listing your location will make you look better to employers, do it. If you think employers may see it as a negative (perhaps you live a fair distance away and will need to commute or relocate), leave it off. If employers need your address for background checks, they’ll ask.
And speaking of addresses…
2. Use the right email address.
Stay away from using an existing workplace email as that can come across as dishonest. As well, don’t use personal email addresses with inappropriate names as that sends the message you’re not professional.
Instead, simply stick to your first and last name if you can, so it’s simple and short. And don’t forget to use an email provider like gmail or outlook, since employers know they’re legitimate.
3. Avoid using generic descriptions.
Focus on the things that are specific to you. Generic descriptions like ‘excellent communication skills,’ ‘works well independently or in a group,’ and ‘detail oriented’ have been used so much they don’t mean anything anymore.
Your resume needs to list your specific skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Instead of simply stating you’re one of the most successful sales people in your department, briefly explain the tactic you used to increase sales (and by how much).
Did you discover new software that automated tasks and reduced your department’s workload? That’s something to be proud and specific about.
4. Use action words to showcase your accomplishments.
Action words, also called action verbs, show that you contributed and, well, took action. If your workplace changed and improved from things you’ve done, that’s powerful stuff.
What kind of action words make for a good resume? Automated, created, improved, increased, mentored, outperformed, spearheaded, transformed. See how good they sound?
5. Consider listing your hobbies.
Including your hobbies can be a great strategy. Do you write a blog? That shows you have communication skills, can apply yourself, and be consistent. Are you a runner? Tackling marathons and obstacle races shows you like a challenge and purse things.
Hobbies build out your personality and make you likeable. If you and another candidate are on equal footing during consideration, your hobbies can be the thing that lands you the job.
6. Make sure everything is typo-free.
A good resume is ruined by bad grammar and spelling. Some recruiters are willing to throw them aside instantly over one error. Don’t let that happen to you!
Take advantage of these resume writing tips by using your word processor’s built-in spellchecker. Sign up for Grammarly for extra help, and don’t rely on things being correct simply because the program says it is.
Double check it yourself, read it aloud, or ask someone to take a look at it for you. Then triple-check it, just to be safe. Your potential career is worth the effort.
7. Keep it short and make it look good.
Since recruiters look at lots of resumes, they often scan them quickly before moving on. That means you have seconds to grab their attention. Include your contact info, qualifications, employment history, relevant education, and hobbies. That’s it.
Increase your chances of an interview by making things look clean and inviting. Choose a simple font, bold your headings, titles, and dates, and use bullet points to keep things easy to read.
Don’t be afraid to use the resume templates in your word processor, or ask a friend with a knack for design to make things look good for you. With these helpful resume techniques, you’ve got yourself a resume.
A good resume starts with a great education at the AOLCC. Enroll now.
Pursuing your studies with Albion College gives you access to over 30 educational programs across the fields of accounting, business, healthcare, and information technology. Each program is designed to fit your life and let you complete your training in less than a year.
Get the education that’ll make your resume shine. Contact us today.
