Most people think that writing a resume is a piece of cake. Unaware of important details, they send a generic version of their professional biographies to all potential employers and end up confused why nobody is inviting them to the interview.
If you really want to bag that dream job, you should bear in mind the basic principles of resume writing. You should ask yourself 9 questions before actually sending a CV. Let’s take a closer look at these questions.
Am I eligible?
Okay, so you are a professional customer relationships manager. But how exactly does it match the company’s needs for an HR expert? Always ask yourself this question: Am I really eligible for the position? If the answer is no, you don’t even have to start writing the resume.
Did I highlight accomplishments?
Your employer doesn’t need the general information about your previous work experience. What they need is to learn about your accomplishments and tangible results.
Did I quantify my accomplishments?
Let’s say you’ve highlighted the fact that your last sales team had increased profit while you were their manager. But was it 6% or 23%? Did you quantify your accomplishments? The more precise you are, the more credible your resume will appear to be.
Did I emphasize informal skills?
You probably wrote about your college degree in marketing and previous employers. But did you remember to emphasize informal skills? For instance, being involved in good amounts of social work will definitely make you look more interesting to future employers.
Are there any clichés here?
Bad resumes rely on buzzwords and clichés. Avoid phrases like ‘goal-oriented’ or ‘team player’. These will make you look like all other applicants, instead of being a standout. So watch out for such statements in your resume
Is it readable?
Good resumes rely on precise and honest communication with talent seekers. Keep it simple, direct, and straightforward. Don’t use long sentences to describe plain things. It will chase away HR decision-makers and eliminate you from the selection process.
Is my email valid?
Is my email address valid? This question doesn’t suggest you should check if your email is functional. It means that Lucky Luke or Don Quixote are not valid, professional email addresses. Keep things serious, and use your name and surname for email communication.
Are there any spelling mistakes?
No matter how good and well-structured your resume may be, it will not deserve attention in case you made typos or grammar mistakes. Always proofread to make sure that your CV is good to go.
Where is my mobile number?
Now that your resume is pretty much complete, ask yourself just one more question: Where is my mobile phone number? You apply via email but the employer will most likely invite you to the interview using via mobile phone.
Creating a decent resume is a serious issue that you should approach with a lot of concentration and patience. Using 9 questions that we described above, you will definitely make a powerful professional biography. And if you’re someone who’s still waiting for that dream job, use our tips and you will start receiving invitations to interviews very soon.