There are a few ways to ensure that your resume makes the cut. Here are a few tips on the style and the information to include or exclude when writing your resume.
Information
Have Direction: Make sure you know exactly what the employer is looking for, and make your resume match those qualifications as best as you possibly can. You want to try and fill in the gaps in their thinking as well. Think about things they want in an employee that they might not even realize. Just because you have had many different types of jobs, does not mean that you should list them. Only list the ones that prepare you for the job in which you are applying.
Be Specific: If you say you “moved up quickly” it does not have the same effect as saying “was promoted four times in six months.” Use numbers and qualitative terms to sell yourself in a specific context. If you have trained a certain number of people, or increased sales by a certain percent, include those numbers.
List Positions: If you have been at once company for a long time, but you have moved up in the ranks, you might want to list all of the various positions you have held there.
Use Buzzwords: Unless you are applying for an entry-level position, you want to appear to have gained some knowledge with your past experience. Include relevant terms, or software programs that you are familiar with.
Name Drop: If you have worked with someone reputable, you should mention it. You will get credit simply by associating with them. If you worked closely with them, it will show that an expert in your field thought you were valuable, so the new employer should as well.
Prioritize: Resumes are often read in less than a minute, or rather, they are skimmed in a short time. The most important information about yourself should not only be at the top, but also highlighted somehow, in bold or otherwise.
Style
Type of Paper: It is easy to underestimate the power of high-quality paper. If someone has a stack of resumes, and a few of them are on much nicer, more professional paper than the rest, those will probably be the most appealing. Additionally, if all of the resumes are on nice paper, and yours is on plain copy paper, yours will surely stand out in a negative way.
Organization: Employers do not have time to read lengthy paragraphs about your responsibilities and qualifications. It is best to make bullet points, and keep each section short: three to four sentences should be more than enough.
Space: Be sure to spread things out on your resume. While you might have a lot of information to squeeze onto one sheet of paper, you should think about how it appears. Your information will be much easier to read if it is separated by a bit of white space.
Keep it Simple: Do not use fancy fonts, images, or too many colors. This is supposed to look elegant and professional, not creative or fancy. You want the simple facts about your work ethic and experience to speak for itself.
The whole point of developing a resume is to appear valuable enough to get an interview. You merely want to seem interesting; you can list your secondary traits at the actual interview when you are trying to get the job. Be sure to have someone else check out your resume before you send it in since it is always good to get a second opinion.
