Basic Rules For Resume Writing
A resume template can help organize your information so it is more visually appealing to the employer, which can help improve your chances of getting a job. The point of the resume is to sell yourself in a way that does not require an in-depth analysis or rigorous reading. An employer should get a great picture of who you are and what you’ve done just by glancing for a minute or two at your resume. Follow the rule of K.I.S.S.—Keep It Simple Stupid. Professional resume templates will help you do this by already supplying you with an optimal format to use.
A resume template is also helpful if you do not know how to structure your information in a way that is pleasing to the eye. It will help give you guidance on how to set up each section from your contact information down to your education information. These resume templates were created by professionals. It is designed to clearly lay out your information, giving the reader an easy chance to quickly skim through the details of your professional goals. These templates help draw the reviewer’s eyes to critical areas. It also shows the type of information a person applying for your job would put on their resume. The template you should pick is the one that best highlights your professional achievements and does not draw any attention to you weak areas.
There are hundreds of resume templates on this site. If you are not using one for your job application, then you are just reinventing the wheel. A professional resume template can literally save you hours in formatting.
What The Resume Should Look Like
As a rule of thumb, the resume should look as simple as possible. Managers and interviewers do not have time to go through pages of you touting your accomplishment. They want a concise resume that is to the point. If this is your first full-time job, the resume should be relatively short, no more than one page. If you are well into your career, then your resume should be no more than two pages. In general, bullet points and short sentences are your friends. Long sentences and paragraphs are your enemies.
Your resume should start off with some basic information about yourself. It should contain your name, address, e-mail address, phone number, and any position you currently hold (if you are currently working). After, you should write your job objective, which is to apply for whichever job you are trying to apply for. After the objective section, you should list your strengths and expertise. This is the spot to brag about yourself—listing all your pertinent strengths that will enable you to proficiently do your job. You can list general strengths like being able to multi-task as well as list specific job-related strengths. For example, you can list “knowledge of Adobe Photoshop 6” if you are applying for a graphic design job. After the strengths section, you should list your professional work experience, starting with your most recent. You should also list how long you have been at each company along with your responsibilities with each job. After listing your experience, you can list your education, starting with most recent. You can go all the way back to your high school if you want to, but nothing before that. If you have any special recognitions or achievements in your educational career, such as making the Dean’s List or graduating summa cum laude, you should list it. In the education section, you can also list any courses that are relevant to the job you are applying for. If you still have space after listing your education, you can list volunteering experience or non-paid internships that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
Onto the topic of references; you probably shouldn’t put them your resume. Instead, write something along the lines of “References provided upon request. ” Remember the rule of K.I.S.S.—Keep It Simple Stupid.
