If you are wondering what sections you must include in a resume and how to make it right before sending it to your target company, this one is for you!
After reading this article, you can say goodbye to blindly sending a resume that gets you nowhere you want your career to be.
Before applying for a job, it is recommended to have both a resume you can send to your employers via email which is usually in PDF format, as well as a fully-optimized LinkedIn profile. Do you know that LinkedIn now has a feature that lets you generate a resume from the data you input on your profile? A LinkedIn Resume Builder can definitely save you a lot of time and effort in making one.
So, what does a carefully-crafted resume looks like? What is the importance of making every section of a resume right? Read on!
- Name and Contact Information
The most essential part of a resume and should be at the top of your first page. Your name must be highlighted and in bold, followed by contact information. Make sure it includes a phone number and an email where they can easily reach you.Additional tip: Add the link to your LinkedIn profile and make sure it is fully optimized. If you have not done that part yet, contact a resume writer that can also help you with LinkedIn Resume Builder.
- Profile Objective and Summary
This is the section that follows the header that helps determine if you should be call for an interview. Its purpose is to give the hiring manager an overview without having to dive into the rest of your resume.Think synopsis – it consists of a three to a four-line summary that is packed you’re your sought-after abilities and attributes. It highlights your professional accomplishment, skills and relevant experience. This hooks your reader and urges them to continue reading.Additional tip: For your target company, read the job description, pick the important keywords and include it in your profile summary. Not sure how to do this? Contact us and we’ll make you an irresistible resume!
- Professional History
If you are not careful, it is easy to mess up this section that consist the detailed summary of your past work experience from full-time positions to part-time roles, respective dates and responsibilities. Use bullet-points to help you structure your sub-sections. Position your employment history on the first page before the skills section. Depending on your background, the arrangement can be in chronological order or focusing on the function. A professional resume writer can recommend the best way to display your working experience. (Search resume writer near me). Additional tip: Use action verbs such as “negotiated” and “achieved”, rather than buzzwords such as “skilled” and “think outside the box”.
- Skills and Abilities
What are the best skills to put on a resume? Employers are not only looking for hard skills, but also soft skills – and this part can set you apart from your competition.
“Having both hard and soft skills make you
a well-rounded candidate, so remember to put
the relevant skills to your target job.”
The most popular and essential skills include communication, computer, people, leadership, organizational, collaboration and time management and problem-solving skills.
Before listing your skills, it is worth checking the skills the company values. If you know someone in the company, reach out to them. The company’s website and LinkedIn profiles can tell you a lot too.
Hard skills are technical abilities you acquired through education and practice. Some examples are:
- Machine operation
- Typing speed
- Software
- Foreign languages
While Soft skills are abilities that can applied in any job. It can be your people or social skills that are harder to develop because it refers to your personality traits. Your soft skills can enhance your hard skills so employers are now particular about it. Some examples are:
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Multi-tasking
- Work ethic
Additional tip: Along with the soft skills information, point out an instance when you have used them.
- Education
It is one of the key sections employers look at but still helps in providing employers your background. It includes your school’s name and location, the degree you obtained, the field of study, and relevant academic recognitions. It is often the shortest portion, but still important to match it with the job requirements you are applying for, so check the educational requirement of the job you are targeting. If you are a new graduate without work experience to show, you may want to include more detail about your education. Additional tip: Be honest in filling in this section as employers can conduct a background check before offering you a job. If you want to know how to display your education section the best way possible, hiring a professional resume writer is the best way to go.
- Optional parts: Although not mandatory, the following sections enhance your resume. You can skip these sections if it is not relevant to the job you want to apply.
- Achievements: Were there any projects you initiated? Were there instances when you’ve proven your leadership skills?
- Awards: This can be special recognitions or scholarships you got. Were there any competitions you participated in and won?
- Languages: knowing more than your native tongue can be an advantage and a conversation-starter.
- Volunteer Experiences: Were there any professional groups related to your industry?
- References: This can be your previous supervisors or managers, college professors, business acquaintances or colleagues. Choose them wisely.
Additional tip: A resume should not feature any religious and political affiliations. Instead, emphasize any leadership roles you held in an organization.
Writing a resume can be time-consuming, let alone hitting the right points that will steer you to the right direction. Search for a resume writer near me that can get you to your destination fast and more effectively.
Now that you’ve got your resume, all you need to do is write an effective cover letter you will send along with it.