Let’s face it: writing a resume can be a daunting task. The pressure to make it truly sing can make the prospect of putting fingers to keyboard all the more terrifying. Writing the perfect resume, on the other hand, does not have to be terrifying. In fact, if you know what you’re doing, it can be simple.
That is the purpose of this guide. We’ll walk you through every step of creating this career document, from structuring its many sections to ensuring no spelling errors slip in. We guarantee that when you’re finished, you’ll want to show it off to the rest of the world. (Fortunately, you can do so on Glassdoor.) Simply upload your resume here, and you’ll be considered.
What Exactly Is a Resume?
First and foremost, let us define a resume. A resume is a synopsis of your work experience, skills, and education. In this regard, a resume differs from a curriculum vitae, also known as a CV. A CV is a comprehensive look at your career, covering every aspect of your education, work, and experience in an unrestricted format. A resume, on the other hand, is a summary of those experiences and skills that typically covers only the last ten years of employment. Unlike a CV, a resume should be tailored and edited for each job application, and it should be no more than one or two pages long.
In any job search, the resume is the most requested document, followed by the cover letter, of course. In fact, recruiters scrutinize resumes more closely than cover letters when evaluating job candidates. So let’s get started on how to structure it correctly.
Types of Resumes That Are Common
The majority of professional resume writers will tell you that there are three types of resumes: chronological, functional, and combination.
Chronological Resume: You’re probably most familiar with the chronological resume format; this is the type of resume that emphasises your most recent work history above all.
List your jobs in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top and the oldest at the bottom. Finally, the goal is to demonstrate how your previous positions have perfectly prepared you for the role you’re applying for.
A functional resume, on the other hand, emphasises the importance of your experience. To create a functional resume, emphasise your professional summary, skills, and a work experience section organised by how closely the positions relate to the one you’re applying for. This format is ideal for those who want to minimise gaps in their resumes or who are transitioning into a new industry.
Design and Formatting Suggestions
Ultimately, the subject matter of your resume is what recruiters are most interested in. However, this does not mean you should skimp on design and formatting. A cluttered, visually confusing resume makes it more difficult to read and, as a result, more likely to be overlooked by recruiters and hiring managers. A sleek, polished resume, on the other hand, will have the opposite effect. Follow these guidelines to ensure that your resume looks its best.
Use a legible font of at least 11 points.
Add at least.7 inch margins.
Make sure there is enough white space between sections.
Don’t go overboard with intricate design or decoration — a few splashes of colour are fine, but avoid anything clashing or visually distracting.
