In the current environment, you need every advantage that you can find to get a job. There is a lot of competition and you will need to stick out from the pack. One of the ways that you can land a job is by having a great resume. A simple, concise, and well-crafted resume will speak for you in a great way.
Simple Resume Tip #1 – Basic Fonts
Use simple fonts that are easy for employers to read like Times New Roman and Arial. These fonts are standard for most industries and will help employers take your resume seriously. Avoid using fancy fonts that type in cursive or look like hieroglyphics because they may be perceived as edgy or make your resume harder to read.
Simple Resume Tip #2 – Relevant Jobs
I suggest only including past jobs that are relevant to the position that you are applying for. For example, if you are applying to be a software engineer, don’t include a summer job working at a packaging company unless it ties into the image you are trying to portray. You want to show prospective employers that your past work experience makes you the perfect candidate for the job.
Simple Resume Tip #3 – Write a Custom Objective
A general objective does not fit the bill when you are trying to obtain a professional position. You should always cater your objective to the exact job that you are applying for. A customized objective will allow you to stand out from the crowd and differentiate yourself from the competition.
For example, if you are applying for a sales job, instead of including a cliché objective like “Raise my sales numbers”, try coming up with a specific objective for that specific company like “Striving to raise the overall sales in the areas that have been lacking such as xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx.” Make sure to include the departments or areas of the department with declining numbers based on what you could find.
Simple Resume Tip #4 – List your Contributions
You should use your resume as a chance to illustrate your contributions to previous employers and ways that you can add value to your future employers. Remember to list any changes that you suggested that led to increased efficiency or profits. If you suggested a great innovation or received awards for specific achievements, be sure to mention those in a section of your resume.
Simple Resume Tip #5 – Use White Paper and White Spaces
You may be a creative person when it comes to your life but your resume should be pretty standard. Use good quality white paper and leave white spaces when separating categories. Adding splotches of color to your resume could detract from the content and cause employers to pass over your application. Your achievements and qualifications should be the main characters of this document.
Simple Resume Tip #6 – Leave Out your Hobbies
While it is okay to list interests that are relevant to your career goals, you should leave out recreational hobbies that are not pertinent to your employment goals. For example, playing the piano is a great hobby to list if you are applying for a musical position, but it is unnecessary if you are applying for a cubicle job.
What other tips for a resume may I have missed?
Crystal Stemberger uses Budgeting in the Fun Stuff to write about finding the balance between paying your bills, saving for your future, and budgeting in the fun stuff along the way.