Writing a good resume is a prerequisite for getting the job of one's choice. There are many resume writings tips that would certainly help a person in writing his resume. Resume writing is nothing but a form of presentation of a person’s personal, academic, and professional profile, in an organized and formal manner which plays a very important role in job appointments alongside the interview. There are various important points that one must keep in mind while writing a resume, and a few resume writing tips would always help you in putting together a decent resume and increase the chance of getting the job of your choice. You must have sufficient practice of resume writing and proofread the resume before submitting it.
The Elements of Resume Writing
For effective resume writing, one should always keep certain points in mind which would help in writing a good resume. The first thing to keep in mind is the heading of the resume, which would occupy the topmost part and attract attention before anything else in the document. This part should have the person's name, email address, other contact information, and communication address. While writing a resume, a summary is very important. The summary comprises the various skills and achievements that a person has in the form of a short paragraph with a few sentences. The professional experience follows the summary, which would comprise the experience that a person has in the relevant field. The educational qualifications, hobbies, and skills should also be highlighted. One must always proofread to ensure quality, and make sure the resume is free of grammatical and spelling errors.
Resume Writing Format
Since a resume contains a lot of information about a person, the format is very important to ensure the information is conveyed in a systematic and organized manner. Resume writing tips would help in deciding the best resume writing template. The three types of resume include combination, functional, and chronological resume, which is accompanied by a cover letter. The chronological resume format is most frequently used which lists the career, and achievements of a person chronologically, from present to past. The functional resume focuses more on the skills of a person than the work experience of that person and is ideal for those who are just starting with their career. The combination resume is as the name suggests a combination of the previous two formats and states the skills as well as the strengths of the candidate and is a balanced view of the two.
Other Types of Resume
There are three additional formats of resumes that are less commonly used. The Infographic resume employs various design elements to display information and uses various layout, colours, and font styles. Targeted resume displays only the required skills and information and is a very specific approach. Other unorthodox resume formats use graphs, charts, etc. to make a resume that can either be in a written or a video format.
Cover Letter
A cover letter must accompany a resume and is a description of the candidate, and his or her interests along with the reasons for wanting to join the particular organization. The cover letter provides an opportunity to the candidates to describe his or her variation in interests, aspirations and preferences. Thereby, it allows the candidate to elaborate upon the information provided in the resume. The cover letter is similar to a normal letter having the contact details, introduction, body, and conclusion.
Resume Writing Example
Following a resume writing example is the best resume writing tip that would help the candidate write a good resume. A resume writing example is as follows.
Raja Das
70 B MG road, Mumbai
Pincode-400702
9876543221
name@domain.com
Objective: To get a job as an engineer at M.S. Chemicals
Education: Carnegie Mellon University. New York
B.Sc. Chemical engineering
Jersey High School, New Jersey
High School Diploma, May 2016
Experience:
UG research at the University of Houston, 2015.
Have attended various student meetings.
Done various presentations on Chemistry.
Skills:
Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Origin Lab.
Knows English, French, Hindi.
Project:
Used Python to design a racing game.
Honours:
College reporter of the year-2017
Did You Know?
Some resume writing tips are bound to help you write a proper resume. Firstly, you must carefully choose a resume format and adhere to that format throughout the resume. The application status should also be kept in mind and choose the format accordingly. One should always be honest while writing a resume since providing wrong information may have adverse consequences.
Solved Example
Q1. Why Does Experience Play an Important Role in Deciding the Resume Format?
Ans: The resume of a fresher would have only academic details while an experienced person would provide career experience alongside academic qualifications.
FAQs on Resume Writing Tips for Success
1. What are the most common resume formats, and how do I choose the right one?
There are three main resume formats, and the best one depends on your experience level.
- The Chronological format lists your work history from most recent to oldest and is ideal for those with steady career progression.
- The Functional format focuses on your skills and abilities rather than work history, which is perfect for students, freshers, or career changers.
- The Combination format is a mix of both, highlighting skills first and then providing a brief work history.
2. What are the essential sections that must be included in a professional resume?
A well-structured resume should always contain a few key sections to give recruiters a clear picture of who you are. These essential sections include:
- Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email, and location.
- Summary or Objective: A short, impactful statement at the top.
- Education: Your academic qualifications, starting with the most recent.
- Skills: A list of your relevant hard and soft skills.
- Experience: Internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work.
3. What is the main difference between a Resume and a Curriculum Vitae (CV)?
The primary difference between a resume and a CV is their length and purpose. A resume is a concise, one-page summary of your skills, experience, and education, tailored for a specific job. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a much longer, more detailed document that includes your entire academic and professional history, including publications, research, and awards. CVs are typically used in academic and scientific fields.
4. How can a student with no professional work experience create a strong resume?
Even without formal job experience, you can build a strong resume by focusing on other accomplishments. Emphasise your academic projects, internships, and any volunteer work. Create a detailed skills section that lists both technical skills (like software knowledge) and soft skills (like teamwork or communication). Also, include any awards, leadership roles in clubs, or participation in competitions to show your capabilities.
5. What is the “30-second rule” in resume writing and why is it so important?
The “30-second rule” is the idea that recruiters spend, on average, less than 30 seconds initially scanning a resume to decide if a candidate is a good fit. This is important because it means your resume must be clear, easy to read, and impactful from the very first glance. Using bullet points, bolding key achievements, and having a strong summary at the top helps you pass this initial quick review.
6. Why is it crucial to customise your resume for each job application?
Customising your resume for each job is crucial because a generic resume often fails to impress recruiters. By tailoring it, you can highlight the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. This shows the employer that you have read their requirements carefully and are genuinely interested in the role. It also helps your resume get past automated screening software (ATS) that looks for specific keywords.
7. What is the purpose of a 'Career Objective' versus a 'Professional Summary'?
Both are introductory statements, but they serve different purposes. A Career Objective is a short, 1-2 sentence statement about your career goals and is best for freshers or those changing career paths. A Professional Summary is a 2-3 sentence paragraph that highlights your key skills and achievements, making it more suitable for candidates with some work experience.
8. What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a resume?
Some of the most common mistakes to avoid are including typos or grammatical errors, which make you look unprofessional. Other things to avoid include:
- Using a generic, one-size-fits-all resume for every application.
- Making the resume too long (it should ideally be one page for freshers).
- Using an unprofessional email address.
- Lying or exaggerating your skills and achievements.
