Building a Winning Resume
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Creating a Better Resume: Tips & Suggestions Worksheet
Part 1: Understanding the Basics
Know Your Goal: Before you start, be clear about the job or industry you're targeting. Tailoring your resume for specific roles can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed.
Consistency is Key: Ensure consistent formatting throughout your resume. This includes font size, type, bullet points, and alignment. A clean, professional look can make a big difference.
Part 2: Structuring Your Resume
1. Header:
Tip: Include your name, phone number, and professional email address. Consider adding a LinkedIn profile link if it's well-maintained.
Action: Update your LinkedIn profile and ensure it matches your resume's information. Make sure that your profile picture is appropriate and updated.
2. Summary Statement (optional):
Tip:A brief 2-3 sentence summary can highlight your key achievements and the value you bring to a potential employer.
Action: Write a compelling summary that captures your professional essence and career goals. This should only be used in the event you do not have a lengthy employment history, otherwise, ignore this action item entirely.
3. Work Experience:
Tip: List your experiences in reverse chronological order. Focus on achievements rather than job duties. Use action verbs to start each bullet point.
Action: Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 20%"). Use you use active voice when writing about your history, past tense verbs for any history that is not indicating a current position/role.
4. Education:
Tip: Include your degree, major, the name of your university, and graduation year. Recent graduates can list education before work experience.
Action: If you have relevant coursework or projects, consider listing those under this section or a separate "Relevant Experience" section.
5. Skills:
Tip: Match your skills with the job description. Include both hard skills (e.g., software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication).
Action: List skills that are relevant and current.
6. Additional Sections (Optional):
Certifications, Publications, Volunteer Work, Languages, etc.
Action: Only include sections that add value to your candidacy for the specific role.
Part 3: Fine-Tuning Your Resume
Customize Your Resume: Adapt your resume for each job application. Highlight the experience and skills that are most relevant to the job description.
(i) This includes leaving out random certifications related to CPR or other medical related certifications if you are applying to a role that has no bearing or use for such certifications.
(ii) This same notion applies to skills. If you have certain skills within Microsoft excel or working with particular programs, but are applying for a role where this isn’t required or will be used, then it would be more efficient to save that space for more relevant work experience or activities and maintain the most germane information available.
Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job listing into your resume. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes, and matching the job description can help ensure your resume gets seen by a human.
Proofread: Grammatical errors or typos can be a big turn-off for employers. Double-check your resume or have someone else review it.
Format for ATS: Use a simple, clean format to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly. Avoid headers, footers, and any graphics that might confuse the system.
Part 4: Checklist Before Submission
- [ ] Is my contact information up to date and professional?
- [ ] Have I tailored my resume for the specific job I'm applying for?
- [ ] Are my bullet points concise and impact-focused?
- [ ] Did I include quantifiable achievements in my experience section?
- [ ] Are there any typos or grammatical errors?
- [ ] Is my resume formatted in a way that is both ATS-friendly and easy to read?
Action Items:
1. Gather Feedback: Share your resume with friends, family, or mentors in your field. Getting outside perspectives can provide valuable insights.
2. Update Regularly: Keep your resume updated with any new skills, experiences, or accomplishments. An up-to-date resume is easier to tailor for unexpected opportunities.
3. Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to discuss every point on your resume in interviews. Your resume gets you the interview; your interview performance gets you the job. Have more fully detailed responses to your resume prepared for the interview.
---
Feel free to use this worksheet as a guide when crafting or updating your resume. Remember, a great resume is a key to unlocking job interviews, so take your time and ensure it represents the best version of your professional self.
Submit questions for additional help and questions.
