A resume is a one-page marketing piece about you. It outlines your qualifications for a position and presents your skills and accomplishments to the person who might hire you. A resume should include your education, work experience, skills, and interests.
It should also include your name and the best way to contact you. There are many resume templates available online. Use a format that is simple to modify as you gain experience. Your resume should not be more than one page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Here's an example of a resume.
We'll go through each section. Your personal information goes on the very top. This includes your first and last name along with your email address and phone number.
Some people also include a home address, website, or LinkedIn profile link. These are nice to have, but not necessary. Your professional objective is a summary that is no more than three or four sentences. This can include a description of who you are and what you are looking for in a role.
Here is an example. I am an enthusiastic, self-motivated, reliable, responsible, and hard-working person. I work well on a team and am adaptable to challenging situations. I work well under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
I'm looking for a role where I can use these skills to plan, manage, and execute complex projects in a team environment. If you are a student or recent graduate, you will list your education first. Include the name of your college or university, the degree you earned or are working towards, your area of study, and dates of attendance.
Different countries can have different degrees and terminology, so avoid abbreviations. This is also where you can list any leadership positions or any awards or scholarships. In the experience section, list work experiences including full and part-time jobs and internships. Add relevant research experience, student leadership, volunteering, and independent projects. Focus on accomplishments and show transferable skills that are valuable across industries.
In this section, you will want to tailor the content to the job that you want. Read the job description closely to identify key attributes the company seeks. Think about it from the hiring manager's perspective.
What are they looking for? In your bullet points, use action verbs. Here's an example without ActionVerb.
I answered questions our customers had about company technology on the phone. With ActionVerb, identify technical issues for clients and offered solutions. Here is a list of ActionVerbs by skill set and type of role. At the end of your resume, you can include skills or leadership and volunteer work. This is a good way to round out your resume and show employers what else you are involved with.
This is also where you can include technical skills like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or other more advanced technical skills you may have. Remember, this is often the first impression that a hiring manager or recruiter will have. Proofread and use spellcheck.
Ask a friend or family member to read it as well. Font style, point size, and margins should be consistent. The most important thing is that the resume should be easy to review.
In addition to a resume, it is also helpful to have a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for professional networking and the business community. Here is an example of a great LinkedIn profile.
To set up a LinkedIn profile, follow these steps. Go to LinkedIn.com to join. Fill in your basic information such as your name, location, and current job title. Student is okay.
Add a professional picture and a background photo. This is the first thing people see when they view your profile, so it's important to make a good impression. Use a high-quality, recent photo of yourself that looks professional and friendly.
Write a headline and summary. This should be a brief sentence that summarizes your professional experience and goals. Add your education and work experience.
This should include current and past job titles, companies, dates of employment, and a brief overview of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use bullet points to make your experience easy to scan. This does not need to have as much information as your resume. For the education section include your degree, major, institution, and any relevant coursework or honors.
Add any additional information you want to include such as skills, certifications, and volunteer experience. Customize your profile URL. Make sure your profile URL is easy to remember and share. Connect with friends and colleagues and other professionals in your industry.
Your resume and LinkedIn profile have the power to open doors. They describe your qualifications and what makes you unique. After completing these steps with your resume and LinkedIn profile, you should be able to attract the attention of employers and recruiters, sell your strongest skills and accomplishments, show how you're a match for for a position, and most importantly, secure a job interview.