Perfecting the Art of a Resume
February 6, 2018
For most people job searching can be tough. You can spend weeks, if not months preparing your resume, sending it to an employer, waiting for a response, then repeating the process. It can be a challenge to go through the same steps over and over again, especially when you aren’t getting calls for interviews. Most applicants make mistakes in the first step of the process; their resume.
A resume is the first, and sometimes the only, thing employers see when considering you for a position. So, the value of a well-written resume can’t be overstated. The good news is; there are a few common mistakes you can avoid and some easy steps you can take to improve your resume. Writing a resume is important but it can also be simple and painless.
The most common mistake that job-seekers make is; using the same resume to apply for multiple jobs. You should tailor your resume to fit the job that you’re applying for and your most important resource is the job ad. You should look at the skills required in the job ad, and use your resume to prove that you have those skills. If you use the same resume to apply for every job, you’re not guaranteeing that you’re talking about the specific skills required for the job. It’s particularly important to adjust your resume when applying to large firms. In the modern age, it’s possible that your resume will be read by a computer and screened based on how well it answers the job ad. Make sure you use the same language as the job ad and include all the required skills.
The next common mistake is importer formatting. There is no “correct” resume format to use or one that employers will be looking for. You should build your resume format to best showcase the information that you are trying to convey. Your resume should include past work experience, education, and your name but any other details are at your discretion to include or exclude. Every work on your resume should be impactful. Your goal should be to include all vital information written as clearly as possible, with a page format that compliments the information.
Some mistakes, like content mistakes, can be difficult to catch. Some aspects of your resume may be perfect by your standards but aren’t what a recruiter is looking for. Your best bet is to make sure that your resume is free of any errors and obvious mistakes. You also want to ensure that you included everything. There are a huge number of resumes that don’t include contact information. Little omissions like that can guarantee that you won’t be called, especially if recruiters don’t know how to contact you.
Job searching can be difficult but having a good resume can make the process easier. To make your job search easier, check out GetHiredLocal.com. We have listings to help you find jobs in Greenville, NC.