When you’re good at what you do, you don’t typically spend a whole lot of time thinking about what your next job might be, let alone the need to construct a better resume. In our work lives, we challenge ourselves to succeed and excel and make the sacrifices necessary to set ourselves apart. We focus our efforts on building a future—working hard, working smart, and making the right decisions. We see this as the key to our professional development plan. But sound decisions aren’t limited to what we do on the job. What we do beyond the workplace can have a real and vital impact on how our careers unfold.
Crafting a quality resume can be one of the most important tasks in your professional career as a vehicle for growth. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most underrated and underutilized growth tools for far too many people.
Every job search is a competition. A company is trying to match its needs with an individual who will best meet all of the different aspects that a particular position entails. Those involved in hiring decisions typically begin the search process by narrowing down the field of potential applicants. Various strategies may be used to assist decision-makers in the process, but one common denominator almost always comes into play: the resume.
The resume is a visual and informational representation of the candidate throughout the hiring process. From entry-level positions to the pyramid heads for some of the largest companies, this remains a constant. If we want to set ourselves apart from the pack, then our efforts should start by building a better resume.
Take the time to put together a resume that you can be proud of. Send a clear message. You’re worth the extra effort. You’re worth another look. Make sure that others think so as well.
10 Tips to a Better Resume
- Focus on truths, not tricks. Finding a job is about finding a match. If your resume doesn’t truly represent who you are, you’re only hurting yourself. A well-written resume helps build confidence and credibility in a candidate, but that only holds true when it is a true depiction of who we are. “Fluff” and exaggeration tend to come to light at some point during the search process, and once credibility is lost, so is the opportunity.
- Use a resume format that grabs attention and holds attention. You must choose a format that is visually appealing, but it must also be easy to read and follow. The reader must be able to jobs, skills, and other valuable information about the candidate. The resume should be well organized and allow the reader to take the different pieces that make up the candidate and put them together in a systematic way that paints a clear picture. Allow the decision maker to structure their thoughts in a way that helps them draw a conclusion—and the right conclusion.
- In basic terms, the most important thing on your resume is your NAME. Your name should stand out and be the first thing people see when they look at your resume. Isn’t that the point to begin with? We want decision-makers to see and remember our name and who we are. That’s not to imply that it should be in big purple letters across the top of the entire document, but it should stand out. Use a font (typically 18-24) that is larger than the rest of the text.
- Use fonts for the text that offer a professional appearance and are easy to read. A resume shouldn’t look like a wedding invitation or a graduation announcement. Scripted or complex fonts should not be used.
- Don’t simply post a list of job descriptions. It’s not just the position that you’ve held that’s important, but what you’ve accomplished in that position that will set you apart. Represent your talents, skills, and abilities. Did you make a difference? Did you build partnerships? Were you commended for your performance? Was there anything that showcased your abilities? Remember, if you don’t say so, it didn’t happen as far as anyone else will ever know.
- Choose information that best represents the role that you filled and what you were able to do with it. What’s most important about a particular role? What’s important to say about what you did in a particular role? We typically won’t have the space to say all that we want to say, so we want to use our available space to send the best possible message.
- Use descriptive words that show action, responsibility, accountability, leadership, cooperation, and potential. Manage, develop, implement, supervise, lead, direct, train…Find power words that accurately describe your responsibilities and keywords that will flag your resume for additional consideration.
- Education reflects a professional investment. Accurately and appropriately describe your education. For example, if you’ve graduated from college, make sure that you say so. “2015 graduate, University of (Anywhere USA); Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.” One of the most common places that individuals will embellish or misrepresent their background involves their education. If you’ve spent the time, effort, and financial resources necessary to receive a degree, you’ve earned the right to display your commitment.
- The proof is in the details. Proofread your resume for any potential errors in spelling or grammar. Ensure that dates are correct. Make sure to display complete contact information to include full address, phone number(s), and email address. As simple as it sounds, many will miss basic but crucial details that can cost opportunities.
- Keep your resume current. The best opportunities often come when we’re not looking for them. Waiting until a need or opportunity presents itself may lead to delays, mistakes, or exclusions that can prove costly. Show the organization and foresight that comes with being prepared.
