A good resume doesn’t happen overnight – but don’t stress, we got you.
- START WITH PEN AND PAPER
Before you download a fancy-looking resume template we recommend you make a draft and do all of your prep work in a word document first.
2. DEFINE YOUR JOB FUNCTION
Do your homework and research the skills, talents, and credentials, employers in this field value the most.
Prove that you have these skills by sharing carefully selected details from your professional background.
3. DESCRIBE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Your resume should communicate your accomplishments and responsibilities rather than just your tasks or job description.
Under each job title, create 4 – 6 bullet points, and follow each bullet point with an achievement or relevant accomplishment you earned during your tenure in that role. When possible, use numbers to emphasize the results. Make sure you use Resume Action Words.
Talk to a previous colleague, friend, or expert in your field, and ask them to share what they see as your greatest strengths and accomplishments and then fine-tune the details.
4. ORGANIZE THE FLOW
There are 6 key sections to a resume and they go in this order:
- THE HEADER
Your Name: (no nicknames)
Location: List your City and State/ Phone / Email Don’t include full street address, that’s old school
Professional Website: Link to your Portfolio / LinkedIn / Instagram
- WRITE YOUR PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
A professional summary will help you tell your story, succinctly communicate your experience and skills to employers, recruiters, and when you are networking.
You can also use it on your resume and LinkedIn page. Highlight a few of your most relevant skills and accomplishments based on each of the jobs you are applying for.
This should be several sentences – not too much or too long – do not reiterate information in your bio that is included in accomplishments under specific jobs. WHY WRITE A BIO? HOW TO WRITE A BIO
- LIST YOUR WORK HISTORY
Add in all of your accomplishments under each job like this:
EXAMPLE OF A WEAK BULLET POINT:
Social Media Manager
- Managed the company’s Instagram account and captured audience feedback.
EXAMPLE OF A STRONG BULLET POINT :
Social Media Manager
- Created an Instagram engagement strategy to grow followers resulting in 10k new followers within 9 months.
5. HIGHLIGHT YOUR SKILLS
This section could include software you are trained in using, languages you speak, specialized areas of knowledge, certifications, and licenses. Make sure the language you used to describe your skills mimics what’s in the job ad.
6. INCLUDE YOUR EDUCATION
· List the degree you earned, your course, and your years of study.
· Include all relevant training and certification courses, not only university or college degrees.
· Only include your high school diploma if your education doesn’t extend beyond that point.
If you graduated within the last year your education details should be at the top of your resume for all others it should be at the bottom.
7. SHOW YOUR PERSONAL SIDE
Include a short section, such as “Volunteerism,” “Hobbies,” or “Personal Interests,” in which you share 2-3 points about yourself. If these interests somehow coincide with your profession, industry, or perhaps even with employee activities at a targeted company, that’s even better.
8. PROOFREAD
After you have filled out all the sections:
– Read it top to bottom TWICE
– Ask a friend to proofread it for you
– Use Grammarly to check grammar and spelling
9. DOWNLOAD A RESUME TEMPLATE
Make sure the template you use fits the type of job you are applying for. DOWNLOAD TEMPLATES
10. PRINT
Make sure all the margins are even. Proofread again. Print.
11. START APPLYING FOR JOBS!
Check out our job board here. BROWSE GOOD JOBS >>
