How to write an impressive resume?

The advertisement for the job you were waiting since long is out – and now you have to just few hurdles to cross like the cover letter and the resume and finally the interview call. In this complete procedure of securing a job, a resume actually plays the forefront role since it emphasizes the strengths and confirms the prospective employers why you are the most suitable candidate for the post. A resume has one precise intention i.e. to win an interview; it is essentially an advertisement nothing more or nothing less. It is your brand ambassador. A good resume, apart from telling what you have done, will create a keen interest in the prospective employer’s mind to meet you and to know more about you. An impressive resume convinces the employer that you have the potentials specifically necessary experience, technical know-how, relevant knowledge that make you the best fit for the new position.

According to a research done by a job search site TheLadders.com, the recruiters only spend an average of 6.25 seconds looking at a candidate’s resume before deciding whether he or she is a fit for a job. That means, your resume will be perhaps scanned not read and 6-7 seconds is all your resume has to convince the prospective recruiter to read further. But the mistake most of us commit is to perceive a resume as a written record of past with an objective to inform. So, candidates write resumes because you need one to get a job, it is a mandatory obligation. But on the contrary a good résumé is actually an entry pass to get the job you want, if you write it with a goal. If you really want to create an impressive resume then gather a bit of real eagerness for creating a genuine magnum opus, rather than the people product most people turn out. Here are few tips to help you.

Tip 1: Give attention to the employer’s need.

Before preparing the résumé, one must gather information about job goal, the position he/she is applying for, the required skill set and expertise that the employer will be looking in the candidate. A résumé needs a preliminary focal point to help the reader understand immediately without wasting time to figure out what your qualifications are and what you are capable of doing.

Tip 2: Select a basic Résumé format

There are three basic formats chronological, functional and combined. A chronological résumé format is a traditional structure used by professionals who worked in the same field for a longer duration. The job know-how or experience is the main focus of such a résumé whereas a functional résumé format showcases the skills and accomplishments at the very beginning. This type of résumé is best suited for career changers and also for those with extensive variety of skills. A combined format is a mix of the two above mentioned formats.

Tip 3: Divide the Résumé into two sections

The first part of the résumé must focus on the capabilities, qualities and accomplishments and the second section must justify your claims by giving evidence. In this modern age of customization, there can not be any pretext for not adapting your résumé to every job position.

Tip 4: Remember to highlight your skills and accomplishments

Use this section to talk about your most special qualities and the results of your efforts, your gifted talents etc. Don’t forget the fact that your intention to mention these capabilities is not inform but to sell yourself to the reader. Like an advertisement, you are mentioning your Unique Selling Points. Moreover, it is always gainful to give a statement of achievements by quantifying the results of completed work rather than stating the responsibilities and duties.

Tip 5: Absolutely no errors

Your resume ought to be a visually appealing piece of work. It must be uniform and consistent in style and form. There must not be any type of spelling, grammar, syntax and punctuation errors. As the famous saying goes “brevity is the soul of wit”, keep the sentences in your resume concise and to the point.

Once you have completed, go through the entire document. Then you can take the help of a professional to verify it again because a refresh pair of eyes may detect errors which you must have overlooked.

The verdict to interview a candidate is usually taken after the fast scanning of the resume that makes an impression on the reader and convinces him/her of the candidate’s suitability for the post. Thus, if you have received an interview call from the prospective employer then it means your resume has grabbed the attention and you have created an impressive resume. Always remember a resume can make or mar a candidate’s chance for an interview.

Author:

Dr Reema Chaudhury

Associate Professor (Business Communication & Soft Skills)

Asia Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi