How to write your best resume in 2024

Whether you are just graduating from college or have a few years of work expereience, we have got you covered. A slighlty long post on best resume writing, but it will be totally worth it.

How to write the best resume

Let's start with a story, shall we?. Well, we know all our readers are very informed and for sure haven't been living in caves cut off from the modern world. Neverthereless, there are some fresh graduates out there wondering why they need a document in addition to their mark sheets - aka transcripts. This story is dedicated to them.

Why are resumes important

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom ruled by a wise and just king. One day, the king announced that he was looking for a new advisor to help him make important decisions for the kingdom. Many people in the kingdom were interested in the job and wanted to apply.

To help him choose the best candidate, the king asked everyone who was interested to send him a letter explaining their qualifications and experience. This way, he could quickly get an idea of who was the most qualified and suitable for the job without having to personally interview each and every person.

The letters the king received were all different. Some were written in fancy language, while others were simple and straightforward. Some letters were long and detailed, while others were short and to the point. However, the one thing they all had in common was that they provided the king with important information about each candidate's skills, experience, and education.

Based on the letters he received, the king was able to narrow down his list of candidates and invite only the most promising ones for an interview. In the end, he chose the person who had the most relevant experience and seemed to be the best fit for the job.

In the same way, when people apply for a job today, they usually submit a resume to give the employer a quick overview of their skills, experience, and education. Resumes help employers save time by quickly identifying which candidates are the most qualified and suitable for the job, allowing them to focus on those candidates during the interview process. Even if one of your parents owns the company, if you need a job in that company, you need a resume.

Don't wait to create a resume

Now that we have established everyone needs a resume, let's establish some essentials and hard truths. Breaking these are akin to cardinal sins, so don't break them.

Firstly, creating a resume takes time and effort. Rushing to create one when you need it can lead to a poorly crafted document that does not effectively showcase your skills and experience. By creating a resume in advance, you can take the time to carefully consider your experiences, achievements, and skills, and tailor your resume to fit the job you are applying for.

Secondly, not having a resume ready can cause you to miss out on job opportunities that come up unexpectedly. If you come across a job opening that you are interested in and you don't have a resume ready, you may miss the chance to apply for the job altogether.

Thirdly, having a resume ready can help you prepare for job interviews even if you're not actively job hunting. Going through the process of creating a resume can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and think about your career goals and how to achieve them.

So, in summary, it is definitely not a good idea to wait until you need a resume to create one. Rather, it is a good idea to create a strong, tailored resume in advance so that you are always ready for any job opportunities that come your way.

In this educational article, we will take a look at 15 steps in the resume writing process.

Where to start writing your resume

If you wonder why we are even talking about where you start writing your resume, you will understand pretty quickly after this small overview. At the outset, the mode of creating a resume can affect the presentation, customization, and accessibility of the document. It is important for candidates to consider these factors and choose the mode that best fits their needs and the requirements of the job opportunity they are applying to. Let me give you my 2 cents on each of these 3 points that you should consider while deciding how to go about writing your best resume.

1. Presentation

The way a resume is presented can make a significant impact on the reader. A well-formatted and visually appealing resume can grab the attention of potential employers and help the candidate stand out from other applicants. On the other hand, a poorly formatted resume can be difficult to read and may not effectively communicate the candidate's skills and experience.

2. Customization

Different job opportunities may require different resumes. A text editor like MS Word can provide more customization options, allowing candidates to tailor their resumes to specific job requirements. An online resume maker, on the other hand, may not allow for as much customization and may be more suited for general resumes.

3. Accessibility

Depending on the availability of technology and resources, candidates may not have access to certain tools or may prefer one mode of creating a resume over another. For example, candidates who do not have access to a computer or the internet may not be able to use an online resume maker and may need to rely on a text editor like MS Word.

After all that I have said about presentation, the flexibility to customize your resume on an ongoing basis and the ability to access whenever you need to access your resume, the choices narrow down broadly to just two – using a text editor like MS Word or one of those several online resume makers.

We, 1minresume.com, fall right in between these two options – providing the advantages of both options without the cons of either of them. If you haven’t checked out our wonderful readymade resume templates for all degree and job types, you should! If you are someone with a very unique background and need help with creating a resume format for you, just drop us an email and we will create one for you. After all we are a resume factory with a ton of best resume formats for freshers and experienced professionals.

Text editors - Pros

Formatting Control: MS Word offers a wide range of formatting tools that can help create a visually appealing and professional-looking resume. You can control the font style, size, color, and layout of your document to ensure it stands out and is easy to read.

Familiarity: MS Word is one of the most widely used word processing programs in the world. This means that many people are already familiar with its interface and features, making it an easy tool to use for building resumes.

Offline Access: MS Word is a desktop application, which means you can use it without an internet connection. This can be useful if you need to work on your resume in a location where there is no internet access.

Text editors - Cons

Cost: MS Word is not a free application, and you may need to purchase a license or subscription to use it. This can be an issue for those who do not have the budget to invest in software.

Compatibility: MS Word documents may not be compatible with all operating systems, especially older versions of the program. This can be a problem if your resume needs to be viewed by someone who does not have access to MS Word.

Limited Collaboration: Collaborating on a resume with others can be difficult in MS Word, as it requires emailing or sharing files back and forth. This can result in version control issues and make it challenging to work on a document simultaneously.

Online resume makers - Pros

Easy to Use: While there are some amazing online resume makers, there are also some not-so-amazing ones out there, but in general the online resume makers typically offer pre-designed templates and layouts, making it easy for users, especially those that are just graduating, aka freshers, to create a professional-looking resume quickly.

Cost-effective: Many online resume makers offer a free version or a low-cost subscription that includes access to additional features. This can be an affordable option for those on a budget.

Cloud-Based: Online resume makers are typically cloud-based, meaning you can access your resume from any device with an internet connection. This can be useful if you need to update your resume on-the-go.

Online resume makers - Cons

Limited Customization: While online resume makers offer templates and layouts, they may not allow for complete customization of your resume. This can be limiting for those who want to showcase their unique skills and experiences.

Security Concerns: Uploading personal information to an online resume maker can raise security concerns, especially if the site is not reputable or does not use secure encryption methods.

Dependence on Internet: As online resume makers require an internet connection, it may not be accessible for those in areas with poor connectivity or without access to the internet.

In conclusion, both text editors like MS Word and online resume makers have their pros and cons. MS Word offers extensive formatting control and familiarity, but it can be costly and may have compatibility issues. Online resume makers are easy to use, cost-effective, and cloud-based, but may be limited in customization and have security concerns. Ultimately, the decision on which tool to use will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and the specific requirements of your resume.

Step 1. Choose the right resume format

Choosing the right format is an important part of creating a strong resume. The format you choose should depend on your work experience, career goals, and the job you're applying for. Here are some tips to help you choose the right format:

1. Chronological format

The chronological format is the most common type of resume format. It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This format is best for people with a consistent work history and a clear career path.

The chronological resume format is a popular choice for experienced professionals as it highlights their work history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first. Here are some reasons why the chronological resume format is important for experienced professional resumes:

Demonstrates Career Progression: The chronological format shows the progression of your career, demonstrating your growth and development as a professional. It helps employers see how you have advanced in your career, and how your previous roles have prepared you for the position you're applying for.

Highlights Relevant Experience: The chronological format allows you to highlight your most relevant experience and achievements. You can list your most recent and relevant jobs first, showcasing your skills and expertise in the field. This makes it easier for employers to see how you meet their requirements for the position.

Shows Consistency: A chronological format demonstrates your consistency and commitment to your career. It shows that you have a solid work history and have been steadily building your skills and experience over time. This is important for employers who want to hire someone who will be a reliable and long-term employee.

Establishes Credibility: The chronological format establishes your credibility and professionalism. By showcasing your work history in a clear and organized manner, you demonstrate that you take your career seriously and have a strong work ethic.

Aligns with Traditional Expectations: The chronological format is a traditional and widely used format, which aligns with the expectations of many employers. It is a format that recruiters and hiring managers are familiar with, and it makes it easier for them to quickly scan and assess your resume.

As you have probably understood by now, the chronological format is an important choice for experienced professionals as it highlights their career progression, relevant experience, consistency, credibility, and aligns with traditional expectations. By using this resume format, you can showcase your skills and experience in a clear and organized manner, making it easier for employers to see your potential as a candidate.

2. Functional format

The functional format focuses on your skills and experience, rather than your work history. It groups your experience by skill set and highlights your achievements and accomplishments. This format is best for people with gaps in their work history, or those who are changing careers.

The functional resume format is a popular choice for both experienced professionals and job seekers who are new to the workforce. Here are some reasons why the functional format is important for resumes:

For Experienced Professionals:

1. Focuses on Skills:

The functional format focuses on your skills and achievements, rather than your work history. This is particularly helpful for experienced professionals who have a diverse set of skills that may not be reflected in their work history. By highlighting your skills, you can showcase your strengths and demonstrate how they apply to the job you're applying for.

2. Covers Employment Gaps:

If you have gaps in your employment history, the functional format can help to cover them up. By focusing on your skills and achievements, you can draw attention away from any gaps in your work history and demonstrate your value as a candidate.

3. Emphasizes Accomplishments:

The functional format allows you to emphasize your accomplishments and achievements, which can be particularly helpful for experienced professionals. By highlighting your successes, you can demonstrate how you have contributed to your previous employers and show how you can bring value to your next position.

4. Provides a Fresh Perspective:

The functional format provides a fresh perspective on your experience and qualifications. It allows you to present your skills and experience in a new way, which can be particularly helpful if you are looking to make a career change or transition into a new field.

For Freshers

1. Highlights Skills and Education:

For job seekers who are new to the workforce, the functional format can be particularly helpful. Since you may not have a lot of work experience to draw from, the functional format allows you to highlight your skills and education. This can be especially important if you have relevant coursework or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your skills.

2. Shows potential

By focusing on your skills and achievements, the functional format allows you to show your potential as a candidate. Even if you don't have a lot of work experience, you can demonstrate your skills and show how they can be applied to the job you're applying for.

3. Provides a Clear Narrative:

The functional format allows you to provide a clear narrative of your skills and experience. By organizing your resume by skill set, you can demonstrate how your skills and experience are relevant to the job you're applying for.

4. Hides Lack of Experience:

If you don't have a lot of work experience, the functional format can help to hide that fact. By focusing on your skills and education, you can draw attention away from your lack of experience and show how you can bring value to the job.

As you would have seen from my elaboration, the functional format is an important choice for resumes for both experienced professionals and freshers. For experienced professionals, it can help to focus on skills, cover employment gaps, emphasize accomplishments, and provide a fresh perspective. For freshers, it can highlight skills and education, show potential, provide a clear narrative, and hide lack of experience. By using the functional format, you can create a resume that showcases your strengths and potential, making it easier to land your next job.

3. El Classico - The Combination Format

The combination format is a hybrid of the chronological and functional formats. It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, but also includes a section highlighting your skills and achievements. This format is best for people with a strong work history and a diverse set of skills.

The combination resume format is a hybrid of the chronological and functional formats. It combines the best of both worlds, allowing job seekers to showcase their skills and experience in a clear and organized manner. Here are some reasons why the combination resume format is useful for both experienced professionals and freshers:

Here is a great example of a combination resume format. What makes this one of the best resume formats for MCA freshers aka fresher graduates is how easily this resume showcases skills and acheivements via student projects and internship opportunities. If you want to use it, make sure to change the skills, including the images of the programming languages before using it.

For Experienced Professionals:

1. Focuses on Skills:

The combination resume format allows you to highlight your skills and achievements, which is particularly helpful for experienced professionals who have a diverse set of skills that may not be reflected in their work history. By focusing on your skills, you can demonstrate your strengths and show how they apply to the job you're applying for.

2. Demonstrates Career Progresion:

The combination resume format also allows you to showcase your career progression, which is important for experienced professionals. By including a chronological listing of your work history, you can demonstrate how you have advanced in your career and show how your previous roles have prepared you for the position you're applying for.

3. Provides a Fresh Perspective:

The combination resume format provides a fresh perspective on your experience and qualifications. By organizing your resume by skill set, you can demonstrate how your skills and experience are relevant to the job you're applying for. This can be particularly helpful if you are looking to make a career change or transition into a new field.

4. Emphasizes Accomplishments:

The combination resume format also allows you to emphasize your accomplishments and achievements, which can be particularly helpful for experienced professionals. By highlighting your successes, you can demonstrate how you have contributed to your previous employers and show how you can bring value to your next position.

For Freshers

1. Highlights Skills and Education:

For job seekers who are new to the workforce, the combination resume format can be particularly helpful. Since you may not have a lot of work experience to draw from, the combination format allows you to highlight your skills and education. This can be especially important if you have relevant coursework or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your skills.

2. Shows Potential:

By focusing on your skills and achievements, the combination resume format allows you to show your potential as a candidate. Even if you don't have a lot of work experience, you can demonstrate your skills and show how they can be applied to the job you're applying for.

3. Provides a Clear Narrative:

The combination resume format allows you to provide a clear narrative of your skills and experience. By organizing your resume by skill set and including a chronological listing of your work history, you can demonstrate how your skills and experience are relevant to the job you're applying for.

4. Hides Lack of Experience:

If you don't have a lot of work experience, I mean internship etc., the combination resume format can help to hide that fact. By "hiding", in no way I suggest you be manipulative - by focusing on your skills and education, you can draw attention away from your lack of experience and show how you can bring value to the job.

In summary, the combination resume format is a useful choice for both experienced professionals and freshers. It allows you to showcase your skills and experience in a clear and organized manner, while also providing a fresh perspective on your qualifications. By using the combination format, you can create a resume that highlights your strengths and potential, making it easier to land your next job.

Step 2. Gather all the relevant information

When preparing a resume, it's important to gather all the relevant information that will be included in the document. This includes information about your work experience, education, skills, achievements, and any other relevant information. Here are some tips on how to gather this information effectively:

An Expert Tip I can share with you to go about gathering information is - develop the habit of editing your resume every six months. It should be treated no different from going to your doctor or dentist for a regular check-up or if you are a dog lover, you wouldn't miss taking your dog to the vet for regular check-ups and vaccines every six months, would you?. So, do me a favour. Whether you are looking for a job change or not, whether you had a great performance appraisal or promotion or not, edit your resume approximately every six months. This is the only way you will have all the necessary infromation you want to add to your resume handy. There is not (yet) a magic professional or academic achievements bin that you can dumpt all your achievements in and use when you need.

Let me break down into 7 sections that various you would need to keep ready at all times or worst case, go abotu gathering when you are sitting down to write your resume after that bad performance appraisal or that moment when you know that person you think hasnt done a great job got promoted instead of you. Well, that was on a lighter side. I hope that never happens to you.

1. Review Your Work History:

The first step in gathering information for your resume is to review your work history. Make a list of all the jobs you've held, the dates of employment, your job titles, and your responsibilities in each position. This information will be used to create the work history section of your resume.

2. Gather Information About Your Education:

The next step is to gather information about your education. Make a list of all the schools you've attended, the dates of attendance, your degree or certification, and any honors or awards you've received. This information will be used to create the education section of your resume.

3. Identify Your Skills:

In addition to your work history and education, you'll also want to identify your skills. Make a list of all the skills you possess, both hard and soft. Hard skills are technical skills that are specific to a certain job or industry, while soft skills are personal attributes that make you a good employee, such as communication skills, teamwork, or problem-solving abilities. This information will be used to create the skills section of your resume.

4. Think About Your Achievements:

When preparing your resume, it's important to highlight your achievements. This can include anything from awards you've received to specific accomplishments you've achieved in your career. Make a list of all your achievements and think about how you can incorporate them into your resume.

5. Use Job Descriptions as a Guide:

To ensure that your resume is targeted to the specific job you're applying for, use job descriptions as a guide. Review job descriptions for positions you're interested in and identify the key skills and qualifications required. Use this information to tailor your resume to each job you apply for.

6. Ask for Feedback:

Once you've gathered all the relevant information for your resume, it can be helpful to ask for feedback. Show your resume to friends, family members, or colleagues and ask for their input. They may be able to provide you with valuable feedback on how to improve your resume and make it more effective.

7. Use a Resume Template:

Finally, when preparing your resume, consider using a resume template. Did you check out the latest resume template we have for MCA Freshers? In the month of Jan 2024 alone, 12 people found their first jobs using that resume. It is prepared by our latest addition to the Ops team, Krithika, who worked for a start-up in Bangalore. A resume template provides a pre-formatted structure that can help you organize your information effectively. There are many free resume templates available online that you can use as a starting point for your own resume.

In summary, gathering all the relevant information for your resume can be a time-consuming process, but it's important to take the time to do it right. By reviewing your work history, identifying your skills, thinking about your achievements, using job descriptions as a guide, and asking for feedback, you can create a resume that highlights your strengths and effectively targets the job you're applying for.

How can you gather achievements for your resume - if you are a fresher?

Here are five examples of achievements that a fresher can include in the resume,and some tips on how to showcase achievements if you do not have a great academic record:

Completed Internship or Relevant Coursework: If you've completed an internship or relevant coursework, you can showcase this as an achievement. Be sure to include details such as the name of the company or course, the dates of your involvement, and a brief description of your responsibilities or the skills you gained.

Extracurricular Activities: If you participated in extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, or volunteer work, you can showcase these as achievements. Focus on the skills or accomplishments that you gained through these activities, such as leadership or teamwork. If you don't have great academic credentials, you better have good extra curriculars to show case. If you have neither, you better start learning some technical skills like programming, art, design, etc. jut something. Don't just say you havea BE in Mechanical Engineering with 60%. That is along just not enough these days. At least, learn MS Excel and PowerPoint and add that as skills to yoru resume.

Personal Projects: If you've completed any personal projects, such as building a website or creating a video game, you can showcase these as achievements. Be sure to include details such as the name of the project, the technologies or skills you used, and any results or feedback you received.

Academic Awards or Honors: Even if your overall academic record isn't great, you may still have received individual awards or honors. Be sure to include these on your resume and highlight the specific achievements that earned you the award or honor.

Language Skills: If you're bilingual or multilingual, you can showcase this as an achievement. Be sure to include details such as the languages you speak and your level of proficiency.

If you do not have a great academic record, it's important to focus on other achievements that showcase your skills and experience. Consider using a functional or combination resume format, which allows you to highlight your skills and achievements in a separate section. Be sure to quantify your achievements whenever possible, using numbers or percentages to demonstrate the impact you made. Finally, focus on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you're applying for, and be sure to tailor your resume to each specific job.

Here is a great example of a simple and elegant best resume format for BCA freshers aka fresher graduates that shows ahchievements in their resume. If you are a fresh graduate, just download the template, change the project names accordingly, then bingo!

Step 3. Identify job requirements

Before I explain to you how you can go about identifying job requirements so you can address them really well in your resume, I want to explain the subtle connections that the job-seeking massess often miss out. There are several subtle connections between the resume and the job requirements that can make a big difference in the success of your job application. Here are a few key examples:

Keywords:Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords that match the job requirements. To ensure your resume is seen by a human, it's important to include the relevant keywords in your resume. These keywords might include specific technical skills, job titles, or industry jargon.

Job Duties:One of the most direct connections between the job requirements and your resume is the list of job duties. When preparing your resume, be sure to carefully read the job description and tailor your job duties to match the specific requirements of the job. This can demonstrate that you have the necessary experience and skills to perform the job.

Accomplishments:Another way to make subtle connections between your resume and the job requirements is to highlight your accomplishments. Look for ways to demonstrate how your past accomplishments align with the job requirements. For example, if the job requires strong project management skills, you might highlight a successful project you managed in your previous job.

Soft Skills:While many job requirements focus on technical skills and experience, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are often just as important. To make subtle connections between your resume and the job requirements, highlight examples of how you have demonstrated these soft skills in your previous jobs..

Industry Knowledge: In many industries, having a strong understanding of the industry and its trends is essential. To demonstrate your industry knowledge, include relevant coursework or certifications on your resume, or highlight any relevant industry experience you have.

Company Culture:Finally, it's important to consider the company culture when preparing your resume. Look for ways to demonstrate how your values and work style align with the company culture. For example, if the company values innovation and creativity, you might highlight a project you worked on that demonstrated your creative problem-solving skills.

By making these subtle connections between your resume and the job requirements, you can increase your chances of standing out to employers and landing the job you want.

Okay, now that you have a good understanding of the subtle connections between the resume and the job requirements, let me give you my quick 2-cents on how you can go about identifying the job requirements.

When preparing your resume, it's important to identify the job requirements so that you can tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for. Here are some steps you can take to identify job requirements and incorporate them into your resume:

Review the Job Description: Start by carefully reviewing the job description for the position you're applying for. Look for specific skills, qualifications, and experience that the employer is seeking. Take note of the keywords and phrases used in the job description, as these can help you tailor your resume to the specific job.

Research the Company: Do some research on the company to get a better sense of their culture and values. Look for information on their website, social media accounts, and news articles. This can help you identify the skills and experiences that are most important to the company.

Review Your Own Experience: Once you have a good understanding of the job requirements and the company's needs, review your own experience to identify the skills and experiences that are most relevant. Look for examples of past accomplishments and experiences that demonstrate your ability to meet the job requirements.

Use a Skills-Based Approach: Rather than simply listing your work experience in chronological order, consider using a skills-based approach. This involves highlighting your skills and accomplishments in a separate section of your resume, rather than simply listing your job duties. This allows you to showcase the specific skills that are most relevant to the job.

Tailor Your Resume: Once you've identified the job requirements and your own relevant experience, tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for. Use the keywords and phrases from the job description, and highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Be sure to emphasize your achievements and quantifiable results, as these can help demonstrate your value to the employer.

Use Action Verbs: When describing your skills and experiences, use action verbs to highlight your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying "responsible for managing a team," say "successfully managed a team of 10 employees, resulting in a 25% increase in productivity." This helps demonstrate your impact and achievements in each role.

Proofread and Edit: Finally, be sure to proofread and edit your resume carefully. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues. Ask a friend or colleague to review your resume as well, to ensure that it's clear, concise, and tailored to the job requirements.

By following these steps, you can identify the job requirements and tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for. This can help you stand out to employers and demonstrate your value and qualifications for the position.

I was speaking at a college in Bangalore last week, and a lot of people didn't quite grasp my point around skills-based approach, so I am going to elaborate on that a little bit here.

Using a skills-based approach on your resume involves organizing your work experience and accomplishments around specific skills and competencies that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. This approach is particularly useful for candidates who are looking to make a career change, have gaps in their employment history, or are just starting out in their careers.

Here are some tips for using a skills-based approach on your resume:

Identify Relevant Skills: Start by identifying the skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. These might include technical skills, soft skills, or specific competencies that the employer is seeking.

Organize Your Resume by Skills: Rather than organizing your resume chronologically by job experience, organize it by relevant skills. Create a separate section for each skill, and list your accomplishments and experiences under each section.

Quantify Your Achievements: Be sure to quantify your achievements and accomplishments wherever possible. This helps demonstrate the impact you've had in each role, and gives employers a concrete sense of your abilities.

Use Action Verbs: When describing your accomplishments and experiences, use action verbs to highlight your achievements and impact. For example, instead of saying "worked on a team," say "collaborated with a team of 5 to successfully complete a project ahead of schedule."

Emphasize Transferable Skills: If you're making a career change or don't have direct experience in the job you're applying for, emphasize your transferable skills. These are skills that can be applied to a variety of roles and industries, such as communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and project management skills.

Customize Your Resume: Be sure to customize your resume for each job you apply for. Use the job description and company research to identify the skills and competencies that are most important to the employer, and tailor your resume accordingly.

Here's an example of how a skills-based resume might look for a candidate applying for a marketing role:

Skills

1. Social Media Marketing: Managed social media accounts for multiple clients, resulting in a 30% increase in engagement.

2. Content Creation: Wrote and edited blog posts, email newsletters, and other marketing materials, resulting in a 25% increase in website traffic.

3. Analytics: Used Google Analytics to track website traffic and social media metrics, resulting in improved ROI for clients.

4. Project Management: Coordinated with internal teams and external vendors to complete marketing campaigns on time and within budget.

5. Communication: Communicated with clients and stakeholders to provide updates on marketing campaigns and answer questions.

In this example, the candidate has organized their resume by specific skills that are relevant to the marketing role they're applying for. By focusing on their accomplishments and experiences related to these skills, they demonstrate their value and qualifications for the job.

Step 4. Tailor your resume

Quitely simply, if you are applying to jobs and not hearing back from the employers, it could be because the resumes you are sending aren't customized enough to the job you are applying to. You should customize your resume to match the specific job requirements, highlighting your relevant skills and experience.

Tailoring your resume to the job you're applying to is a critical step in the job search process. It can help you get noticed by employers, demonstrate your fit for the job, and increase your chances of getting called in for an interview. By taking the time to customize your resume for each job, you can position yourself as a strong candidate who is a good fit for the position. Before I give you some tips on how you can go about tailring your resume, let me expand on the importanceo of tailoring your resume.

Increases Your Chances of Getting Noticed: Employers and recruiters often receive a large number of resumes for each job posting. Tailoring your resume to the job can help ensure that your resume stands out and catches the employer's attention.

Demonstrates Your Fit for the Job: When you tailor your resume to the job, you can highlight your relevant skills, experience, and qualifications that demonstrate your fit for the job. This can make it easier for the employer to see that you have the skills and experience needed to succeed in the position.

Shows Your Interest in the Job: When you take the time to tailor your resume to the job, it shows the employer that you are genuinely interested in the job and have done your research. This can make you stand out as a candidate who is serious about the job.

Helps You Stand Out From Other Applicants: By tailoring your resume to the job, you can differentiate yourself from other applicants who may have a more generic resume. This can help you stand out as a candidate who is a better fit for the job.

Increases Your Interview Chances: When you tailor your resume to the job, you increase the chances of getting called in for an interview. By demonstrating your fit for the job and showing your interest, you make it more likely that the employer will want to meet with you in person.

How to tailor your resume to job requirements

Given the majority of our readers are fresh graduates looking for their first job, I am going to focus on them in this section.

As usual, I like breaking this down into simple steps.

1. Highlight relevant coursework: As a fresh graduate, you may not have much work experience to highlight on your resume. However, you can still demonstrate your qualifications by highlighting relevant coursework. Look for courses that align with the job requirements and list them under a "relevant coursework" section on your resume.

2. Emphasize Internships and Extracurricular Activities: If you have completed relevant internships or participated in extracurricular activities that demonstrate your skills and experience, be sure to highlight them on your resume. This can demonstrate to employers that you have practical experience in the field.

3. Focus on Transferable Skills: Even if your previous work or academic experience isn't directly relevant to the job you're applying to, you likely have transferable skills that can be applied to the job. Some examples of transferable skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. Make sure to highlight these skills on your resume and provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated them in the past.

4. Use Job Descriptions as a Guide: When tailoring your resume to a specific job, it can be helpful to use the job description as a guide. Look for keywords and phrases that match your skills and experience, and use them in your resume. This can increase the chances of your resume being seen by an employer or recruiter.

5. Customize Your Objective or Summary Statement: Your objective or summary statement at the top of your resume can be a powerful tool for tailoring your resume to a specific job. Instead of using a generic objective statement, customize it to the job you're applying to. For example, if you're applying for a job in marketing, your objective statement might be "To obtain a marketing position where I can utilize my skills in social media management and content creation to drive engagement and revenue growth."

6. Format Your Resume Appropriately: When it comes to formatting your resume, it's important to consider the industry and the company you're applying to. Some industries may prefer a more traditional, chronological resume format, while others may prefer a functional resume format that focuses more on skills and achievements. Additionally, some companies may have specific guidelines or preferences for resumes, such as a maximum length or font style. Make sure to research the industry and company to ensure your resume is formatted appropriately.

7. Use Action Words: Finally, when describing your previous work or academic experience on your resume, it's important to use action words that demonstrate your accomplishments and skills. Examples of action words include "created," "managed," "organized," "analyzed," and "led." These words can help make your resume stand out and demonstrate your qualifications to potential employers.

Overall, tailoring your resume to the job you're applying to can increase your chances of getting noticed by employers and landing the job you want. By highlighting your relevant coursework, transferable skills, and practical experience, you can demonstrate that you have the qualifications needed to succeed in the job.

Step 5: Write your contact information

If you think this one is going to be easy - it is easy but a little tricky. All of my inputs on contact info on resumes come down to jsut two parts - what to include and what not to incude.

Include

Full name: Make sure your name is prominently displayed at the top of your resume.

Email address: Use a professional email address that includes your name, rather than a personal or obscure email address.

Phone number: Include a phone number where you can be reached during business hours. Make sure the voicemail message is professional if you're unable to answer.

Mailing address: It's optional, but can be useful if you're applying for jobs in a specific location.

LinkedIn profile URL: If you have a professional LinkedIn profile, include the URL in your contact information section.

Also, include relevant links to your developer portals like Github, Kaggle, Stackoverflow, etc. Include additional links only if they add some value. For example, adding a link to your github profile where you havent made any contribution in the last 18 months while claiming your hobby is web development is going to raise some eyebrows.

Do Not Include

Personal Details: Avoid including personal details such as your age, gender, marital status, or religion, and definitely no date of birth.

Photo: Unless you're applying for a job in which your appearance is relevant (such as modeling or acting), do not include a photo. Well, many of you might think I am contracdicting our own understanding of what works because we have a lot of resume templates with photos. I am just saying if you are in doubt, don't include the picture. We include the picture in a lot of our templates just thinking about those that want to include. If you download from our site a resume that has a phpo, jsut delete it and the template should still work.

Social media handles: Only include social media handles if they are professional and relevant to the job you're applying to.

Unprofessional email addresses: Avoid using unprofessional or inappropriate email addresses, such as "partygirl@email.com" or "crazyguy@yahoo.com."

Work phone number: Do not include your work phone number as a contact on your resume.

Dont include your passport info.: I see this a lot on resumes that are made in India. What's the obsession with passport? It is a very sensitive information and you don't want that information floating around among people you don't know personally.

Step 6: Write a summary or objective statement

Writing an appropriate career statement in your resume requires you to be concise, specific, and honest, while also highlighting your unique selling points and tailoring your statement to the job you're applying for. By following these tips, you can create a strong career statement that effectively communicates your skills, experience, and career goals to potential employers.

First, let me give you some examples of a couple of bad examples. You will get the point.

"To obtain a position where I can utilize my skills and grow as a professional."

This career summary statement is too generic and does not provide any specific information about the applicant's skills or career goals. It could apply to any job or industry, and does not demonstrate any unique selling points that would make the applicant stand out to potential employers.

"Recent graduate seeking entry-level position in marketing"

While this career summary statement is more specific than the first example, it is still too general and does not provide any information about the applicant's skills, experience, or career goals. It also does not demonstrate any unique selling points or qualifications that would make the applicant stand out to potential employers.

Here is a longer, more-polished-looking career summary statement but equally bad!

"As a recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and experience in customer service and sales, I am seeking an entry-level position in a dynamic organization where I can apply my skills and knowledge to contribute to the growth and success of the company. My academic background and experience have equipped me with strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment. I am a quick learner, adaptable, and have a strong work ethic, and I am confident that I can add value to your organization by providing exceptional customer service and contributing to the achievement of your sales goals."

While this career summary statement provides some specific information about the applicant's skills, education, and experience, it is too long and contains too much unnecessary detail. It also includes a lot of generic phrases and does not demonstrate any unique selling points or qualifications that would make the applicant stand out to potential employers.

A good career summary statement should be concise and to-the-point, highlighting the most important and relevant information about the applicant's qualifications and fit for the job. It should also be tailored to the specific job and industry that the applicant is applying to, and demonstrate how they can add value to the organization.

How to write an appropriate career statement in your resume:

Firstly, start with a strong opening sentence: Your career statement should begin with a strong opening sentence that highlights your skills and experience. This sentence should be concise and attention-grabbing, and should clearly communicate what you can offer as a professional.

Then, focus on your career goals: Your career statement should be focused on your career goals and aspirations. This means that you should highlight the types of roles you're interested in, and the specific skills and experience you have that are relevant to those roles. This will help employers understand your career trajectory and how you can add value to their organization.

Makre sure to highlight your unique selling points: Your career statement should also highlight your unique selling points. This means that you should emphasize your strengths and the qualities that make you stand out from other job applicants. For example, if you have experience working in a particular industry, or if you have specialized knowledge or skills, be sure to highlight these in your career statement

Don't forget to be specific: It's important to be specific in your career statement, rather than using generic phrases that could apply to any job. For example, instead of saying that you're a "team player" or "hard worker," provide specific examples of how you've worked in teams or gone above and beyond in your previous roles.

Keeping the career objective statement is important but also something that is going to take some effort. Your career statement should be brief and to the point. Aim to keep it to one or two sentences, and avoid using overly complex language or industry jargon that could confuse or alienate potential employers. Also, make sure to revise the career statement according to the job: When writing your career statement, it's important to tailor it to the specific job you're applying for. This means that you should customize your statement to match the skills and experience required for the role, and highlight how your background makes you an ideal fit for the position.

Be honest: Finally, it's important to be honest in your career statement. Don't exaggerate your skills or experience, as this could come back to haunt you later on in the hiring process. Instead, be truthful and realistic about what you can offer as a professional, and focus on highlighting your strengths and unique selling points. As humans, we have a tendency to over-value what we have.

Finally, make sure it does not have any grammatical errors. Having grammatical errors in a career statement can have a negative impact on a candidate's resume and job application. It can indicate to potential employers that the candidate may not have good attention to detail or communication skills, which are important qualities in most jobs. Grammatical errors in a career statement can also make it difficult for the employer to understand the candidate's qualifications and fit for the job. It can create confusion and make the candidate appear less credible and professional. In some cases, grammatical errors in a career statement may even disqualify a candidate from consideration for the job. Employers receive many job applications for each position, and they may use grammatical errors as a way to quickly screen out candidates who do not meet their standards for professionalism and attention to detail.

Therefore, it is important to proofread and edit your career statement carefully before submitting it as part of your resume and job application. You may also want to ask a friend, family member, or professional editor to review your career statement and provide feedback on any grammar or spelling errors.

Step 7: List your work experience:

If you are a fresher, don't worry I have got some tips for you as to how you can show your college project experience for work experience. Trust me, it all counts.

When including work experience in a resume, it is important to list your previous job titles, the company or organization you worked for, your employment dates, and your key responsibilities and accomplishments in each role. This information should be presented in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or current position.

For fresh graduates who do not yet have work experience, they can still include relevant experience on their resume, such as college projects or internships. When including college projects as an experience, it is important to highlight the specific skills and knowledge that were gained through the project, as well as any notable accomplishments or results. In addition to listing work experience, it is also important to highlight your skills and achievements in other areas, such as academics, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work. These experiences can demonstrate your leadership abilities, teamwork skills, and other valuable qualities that employers are looking for. When including work experience or other experiences on a resume, it is important to tailor the information to the specific job you are applying for, and to use language that highlights the skills and qualities that are most relevant to the job. Additionally, it is important to proofread and edit your resume carefully to ensure that it is free of errors and presents you in the most professional and credible light possible.

How to include achievements in resume

Increased sales revenue: Successfully increased sales revenue by 25% through the development and implementation of a new marketing campaign.

Improved efficiency: Streamlined internal processes and procedures, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity and a 30% reduction in costs.

Award recognition: Received the company's annual "Employee of the Year" award for outstanding performance and dedication to customer service.

Here are three examples of project experiences students can include in their resume:

Developed a website: Worked in a team of five to develop a website for a local business, increasing their online presence and generating more leads.

Organized a fundraising event: Led a team of volunteers to organize a successful fundraising event that raised over $10,000 for a local charity.

Conducted market research: Conducted market research and analyzed data to create a comprehensive report on consumer preferences for a new product, which was later used by the company to inform their marketing strategy.

By including project experiences in their resume, students can demonstrate their practical skills and showcase their ability to work in a team and manage a project from start to finish. It also helps to highlight their areas of interest and expertise, and makes them stand out from other candidates who may only have academic achievements to show.

Step 8: Highlight your achievements

Including achievements in your resume is important across all professions, and there are some general principles you can follow. Before I share some of my thoughts around how one can go about including achievements in the resume based on whether someone has any work experiene or not, let me first share some tips to help you include achievements in your resume, regardless of your profession:

1. Be specific: Instead of simply stating your job duties, be specific about what you accomplished. Use action verbs to describe what you did and how you did it. Quantify your achievements with numbers and percentages whenever possible.

2. Focus on results: Employers are interested in the results you achieved, not just the tasks you completed. Highlight how your actions led to positive outcomes, such as increased revenue, improved efficiency, or greater customer satisfaction.

3. Tailor your achievements to the job: Focus on achievements that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Choose accomplishments that demonstrate skills or experiences that the employer is looking for.

4. Use different types of achievements: Think about different types of achievements you can include, such as sales achievements, project achievements, leadership achievements, academic achievements, or customer service achievements. Choose the types of achievements that are most relevant to your profession and the job you're applying for.

5. Place achievements strategically: Consider where to place your achievements within your resume. If you have a lot of relevant achievements, you may want to create a separate section for them. Alternatively, you could incorporate them into your work experience section.

Remember, including achievements in your resume can help you stand out to potential employers, regardless of your profession. By being specific, focusing on results, tailoring your achievements, using different types of achievements, and placing them strategically, you can demonstrate your value and potential to potential employers.

Now, some tips on how to include achievements in your resume

Firstly, identify and quantify your achievements: Think about your past roles and responsibilities and identify any accomplishments or successes you've had. These could be things like meeting or exceeding sales targets, leading a successful project, or receiving recognition for your work. And, whenever possible, try to quantify your achievements with specific numbers or percentages. This helps demonstrate the impact of your accomplishments and provides concrete evidence of your abilities.

Then, tailor your achievements to the job: As you're selecting which achievements to include, make sure they're relevant to the job you're applying for. Focus on accomplishments that demonstrate skills or experiences that the employer is looking for. Make sure to incorporate achievements into bullet points: Rather than simply listing your job duties, use bullet points to highlight your achievements. Start each bullet point with an action verb and focus on the outcomes you achieved. Also, keep in mind to place achievements strategically. Consider where to place your achievements within your resume. If you have a lot of relevant achievements, you may want to create a separate section for them. Alternatively, you could incorporate them into your work experience section.

Remember that your achievements are an important part of your resume and can help set you apart from other candidates. By identifying and quantifying your accomplishments and incorporating them strategically into your resume, you can demonstrate your value to potential employers.

Wondering what kind of achievements you can include in your resume?

There are various types of achievements that you can include in your resume. Here are some examples:

Sales Achievements: If you have a background in sales, you can include metrics such as the amount of revenue you generated, the number of new clients you brought in, or the size of deals you closed.

Project Achievements: If you have experience managing projects, you can highlight successful projects you led, including the scope, timeline, and budget. You could also include any recognition you received for your work.

Leadership achievements: If you have experience leading teams, you can highlight achievements such as improving team performance, mentoring or coaching team members, or implementing new processes that led to improved results.

Academic achievements: If you recently graduated or have completed any courses or certifications, you can include academic achievements such as academic honors, research projects, or awards received.

Customer service achievements: If you have experience working in customer service, you can highlight achievements such as resolving complex customer issues, receiving positive customer feedback or testimonials, or increasing customer satisfaction ratings.

Technical achievements: If you have technical skills, you can highlight achievements such as developing new software or applications, implementing new systems or processes, or improving website traffic or SEO rankings.

Remember, the key to including achievements in your resume is to demonstrate your value to potential employers. Think about what accomplishments demonstrate your skills and experience, and choose the ones that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Wondering how can college students approach including achievements in their resume becaue they still havent started working? I have got some inputs for you as well. In summary, college students may not have significant work experience to draw from, but they can still include achievements in their resumes.

College student achievements

SAcademic achievements: Include any academic honors, awards, or scholarships you have received. If you have a high GPA or have been on the Dean's List, you can include that as well.

Extracurricular achievements: Include any leadership roles you have held in clubs or organizations, such as serving as club president or organizing a successful event. You can also include any awards or recognition you received for your participation in these activities.

Volunteer achievements: If you have volunteered for any organizations or events, you can highlight any achievements or contributions you made. This could include the number of hours you volunteered, the impact of the project you worked on, or any leadership roles you held.

Coursework achievements:If you have taken any relevant coursework, you can highlight any particularly challenging or noteworthy projects or papers you completed.

Customer service achievements: If you have developed any skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for, such as programming languages, design skills, or language proficiency, you can include any achievements related to these skills. For example, you could include a project you completed using a particular programming language, or a language proficiency certification you received.

Skills achievements: If you have technical skills, you can highlight achievements such as developing new software or applications, implementing new systems or processes, or improving website traffic or SEO rankings.

Remember to be specific and quantify your achievements wherever possible. Even if you don't have a lot of work experience, including achievements in your resume can demonstrate your skills, work ethic, and potential to potential employers.

Step 9: Include your education

This one should be straight forward. No questions - you should include education on your resume. The placement of the education section on a resume can depend on the specific situation and the individual's work experience. As a general rule, if you're a recent graduate or your education is highly relevant to the position you're applying for, it's best to include your education section near the top of your resume. This ensures that the employer sees your educational background first and can quickly assess whether you meet their educational requirements.

If you have significant work experience, however, it's often more effective to prioritize your experience over your education. In this case, you may choose to include your education section later in your resume, after your work experience and relevant skills. For a fresh graduate with little to no work experience, including the education section near the top of the resume can be a good strategy to demonstrate your qualifications and show that you have the required knowledge and skills. By including academic achievements and relevant coursework, you can further demonstrate your strengths and differentiate yourself from other candidates.

For an experienced professional, placing the education section after the work experience section can be a better choice. This approach allows the employer to first see your relevant work experience and achievements, which may be more important for the position you're applying for. However, if you earned a degree or certification later in your career that's highly relevant to the position, you may choose to include it earlier in your resume. Ultimately, the placement of the education section should be determined by what's most relevant to the specific position you're applying for, as well as your own work experience and qualifications.

Can you include short duration training programs in resume?

Yes, you can include short-term training programs or courses under your education section on your resume. However, it's important to distinguish them from your formal education by creating a separate section titled "Professional Development" or "Training and Certifications." In this section, you can list any relevant training programs, workshops, or short courses you've completed. Be sure to include the name of the program, the institution or organization that provided it, and the date you completed it. You may also want to briefly describe the content or focus of the program, particularly if it's directly relevant to the position you're applying for. Including short-term training programs can demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, which is often highly valued by employers. However, it's important to be selective and only include programs that are relevant to the position you're applying for, or that demonstrate a specific skill or competency that's important in your field.

By including relevant training and certifications alongside your formal education, you can create a more comprehensive picture of your skills and qualifications, and increase your chances of standing out to potential employers.

Education before or after experience in resume?

The placement of the education section on a resume can depend on the specific situation and the individual's work experience. As a general rule, if you're a recent graduate or your education is highly relevant to the position you're applying for, it's best to include your education section near the top of your resume. This ensures that the employer sees your educational background first and can quickly assess whether you meet their educational requirements. If you have significant work experience, however, it's often more effective to prioritize your experience over your education. In this case, you may choose to include your education section later in your resume, after your work experience and relevant skills.

For a fresh graduate with little to no work experience, including the education section near the top of the resume can be a good strategy to demonstrate your qualifications and show that you have the required knowledge and skills. By including academic achievements and relevant coursework, you can further demonstrate your strengths and differentiate yourself from other candidates.

For an experienced professional, placing the education section after the work experience section can be a better choice. This approach allows the employer to first see your relevant work experience and achievements, which may be more important for the position you're applying for. However, if you earned a degree or certification later in your career that's highly relevant to the position, you may choose to include it earlier in your resume.

Ultimately, the placement of the education section should be determined by what's most relevant to the specific position you're applying for, as well as your own work experience and qualifications.

How can you make your degree stand out?

It's true that there are many well-known educational institutions, but that doesn't mean that your own educational qualifications are any less valuable. It's important to remember that employers are often more interested in the skills and knowledge you gained through your education than the name of the institution you attended. To make your educational qualifications stand out, focus on highlighting the specific skills and experiences you gained during your studies. For example, if you completed a degree in marketing, you could emphasize the marketing campaigns you worked on as part of your coursework, or highlight any internships or extracurricular activities that gave you hands-on experience in the field.

You could also highlight any academic honors or awards you received, as these can demonstrate your dedication and hard work. If you completed any research projects or published any papers during your studies, be sure to mention those as well. In addition, you can stand out by highlighting any relevant skills or certifications you gained outside of your formal education. For example, if you completed a coding bootcamp or earned a certification in a specific software program, be sure to mention that on your resume as well.

Ultimately, the key is to focus on the skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position you're applying for, rather than trying to compete with more prestigious educational institutions. By highlighting your unique strengths and experiences, you can make your educational qualifications stand out and demonstrate your value as a candidate.

When including education on a resume, the most important details to include are:

1. The name of the institution where you earned your degree or diploma.

2. The location of the institution (city and state).

3. The degree or diploma you earned (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, High School Diploma).

4. Your major or area of study.

5. Your graduation date (or anticipated graduation date).

It's also acceptable to include:

6. Your GPA, if it's above 3.0 or if you're a recent graduate.

7. Any academic honors or awards you received (e.g. Dean's List, Phi Beta Kappa).

8. Relevant coursework or academic projects.

In general, you should only include education that's relevant to the position you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a job in marketing, it's not necessary to include your degree in biology unless you can relate it to the job in some way (e.g. you studied consumer behavior as part of your biology degree).

If you have a lot of education to list, consider creating a separate section on your resume titled "Education" and listing your degrees in reverse chronological order (i.e. starting with your most recent degree).

Finally, be sure to proofread your resume carefully and make sure all information is accurate and up-to-date.

What if I studied in part time or via distance learning?

If you studied part-time or through distance learning, you can still include your education on your resume. In fact, many employers are interested in candidates who pursued their education while working, as it demonstrates a strong work ethic and dedication to self-improvement. When including part-time or distance education on your resume, be sure to include all the relevant details listed in my previous answer, such as the name of the institution, the location, your degree or diploma, your major or area of study, and your graduation date. You should also include any academic honors or awards you received, as well as relevant coursework or academic projects.

If you studied entirely through distance learning, you may want to specify that on your resume to make it clear that you didn't attend classes in person. For example, you could list your degree as "Bachelor of Science in Marketing (completed entirely online)". It's important to be honest about how you earned your degree, as employers may ask for more information or clarification during the interview process. As long as you list your education accurately and provide enough detail, studying part-time or through distance learning shouldn't be a barrier to landing your dream job.

Step 10: Mention relevant skills

When it comes to adding skills to your resume, it's important to focus on skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Here are some examples of skills that you can include:

Technical skills:

This includes proficiency in software, programming languages, and other technical tools.

If you have multiple technical skills, it can be challenging to decide which ones to include on your resume. Here are some tips to help you choose which technical skills to include:

Review the job description: Look for the technical skills that are required or preferred for the job you are applying for. Focus on including the technical skills that match the job requirements.

Prioritize your skills: Consider which technical skills you are strongest in and prioritize those on your resume. If you have experience using a particular tool or technology, make sure to highlight that skill.

Be specific: Instead of listing broad technical skills, try to be specific about the tools, technologies, or programming languages you have experience with. This will give the employer a better understanding of your technical abilities.

Consider the industry: Different industries require different technical skills. If you are applying for a job in a specific industry, make sure to research the technical skills that are most valued in that industry and highlight those on your resume.

Keep it concise: You don't want to overwhelm the employer with too many technical skills. Try to keep your list of technical skills to no more than 6-8 and focus on the ones that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

By following these tips, you can choose the technical skills to include on your resume that will make you the most competitive candidate

Soft skills:

This includes communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and adaptability.

Soft skills:

This includes communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and adaptability.

Industry-specific skills:

This includes skills that are specific to the industry you're applying for, such as knowledge of regulations, laws, and procedures.

Leadership skills:

This includes the ability to lead and manage a team, make decisions, and delegate tasks.

Analytical skills:

This includes skills related to graphic design, writing, and other creative fields.

Creative skills:

This includes communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and adaptability.

When it comes to the approach for fresh graduates vs. experienced candidates, there are some differences to consider:

For fresh graduates, it's important to focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or coursework that you've completed. You can also highlight any soft skills that you've developed through extracurricular activities or group projects. Additionally, you may want to include a summary or objective statement at the top of your resume to explain your career goals.

For experienced candidates, it's important to focus on the skills and accomplishments that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. This may include highlighting specific projects or initiatives that you've led, or any certifications or awards you've earned. You can also include specific metrics or results that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Additionally, you may want to include a summary of your career history or professional summary at the top of your resume to provide context for your experience.

Add only those skills relevant to the job

To ensure that you are adding skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for, follow these steps:

Carefully review the job description: Look for keywords and phrases that describe the skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for. This will give you an idea of what skills to highlight on your resume.

Research the company: Learn as much as you can about the company's culture, mission, and values. This will give you a better understanding of what skills are valued in the organization and what the company is looking for in a candidate.

Match your skills to the job requirements: Once you have identified the skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for, identify the skills that you possess that match those requirements. Be sure to highlight these skills on your resume.

Provide examples: Whenever possible, provide examples of how you have used your skills in previous roles or projects. This will help the employer to understand how your skills can be applied to the job you are applying for.

Customize your resume: Customize your resume for each job you apply to. This means that you may need to tweak the skills section of your resume to highlight the skills that are most relevant to each job.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you are adding skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for, which will increase your chances of getting hired.

Step 11: Use action verbs

Be it with writing your achivements or generally describing your responsibilities at work, start each bullet point with an action verb, such as "developed," "created," or "managed," to emphasize your achievements and responsibilities.

There are 10 super action words that you can pick from and mix and match in your resume for variety. I will give you examples built on each of those ten action words that you can use in your resume.

1. Spearheaded

"Spearheaded the development of a new product that generated $500,000 in revenue in its first year."

2. Implemented

"Implemented a new project management system that resulted in a 20% increase in team productivity."

3. Streamlined

"Streamlined the company's supply chain process, reducing delivery times by 50% and saving $100,000 annually."

4. Optimized

"Optimized the company's website for search engines, resulting in a 30% increase in organic traffic."

5. Revitalized

"Revitalized the company's social media presence, increasing engagement by 50% and attracting 10,000 new followers."

6. Collaborated

"Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a new product line that exceeded sales targets by 20%."

7. Resolved

"Resolved a complex technical issue that had been unresolved for six months, saving the company $50,000 in expenses."

8. Mentored:

"Mentored junior team members, resulting in a 25% increase in team productivity and a 50% reduction in errors."

9. Negotiated

"Negotiated a new contract with a key vendor, resulting in a 15% reduction in costs and improved service levels."

10. Led

"Led a successful rebranding initiative, resulting in a 10% increase in customer loyalty and a 20% increase in sales."

By using strong action verbs to describe your achievements, you can make a stronger impression on potential employers and demonstrate your skills and accomplishments more effectively.

Describing achievements in a student resume

If you are a fresher or a student about to graduate, here are five examples of action verbs that you can use to describe achievements in your resume:

1. Organized

"Organized and led a successful fundraising event that raised $5,000 for a local charity."

2. Initiated

"Initiated and coordinated a community service project that involved 20 volunteers and resulted in 100 hours of service to the community."

3. Collaborated

"Collaborated with a team of students to create a business plan that won first place in a national competition."

4. Developed

"Developed a new software application as part of a school project, which received an A+ grade and was later used by a local business."

5. Presented

"Presented a research paper at a national conference, which was well received and led to an invitation to speak at a future event."

By using strong action verbs to describe your achievements, you can make a stronger impression on potential employers and demonstrate your skills and accomplishments more effectively, even as a student.

Step 12: Keep your resume concise

Internet is full of advice on how to make your resume concise. All of the internet generic advice can be summarized to a single line - "if you dont hvae 10 years of experience, you should keep your resume to one page; if more than 10 years of experience, keep your resume to two pages. Period." With that said, I want to share with you some insights into common mistakes to avoid when it comes to keeping your resume concise. Slightly differently stated, I am going to throw some light on what mistakes lead to your resume not being concise. Pay attention to these inputs and avoid them and your will have your best resume in hand.

Mistakes Fresh Graduates Make

Here are some common mistakes that fresh graduates make that lead to a resume that is not concise:

Including too much irrelevant information:

Fresh graduates may try to fill their resume with every detail of their education, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, even if they're not directly relevant to the position they're applying for. This can make the resume lengthy and confusing for recruiters.

Using long sentences and paragraphs:

Fresh graduates may use long and complex sentences and paragraphs to describe their experiences and achievements, making the resume difficult to read and understand.

Not focusing on relevant experience:

Fresh graduates may try to compensate for their lack of experience by including every job or internship they've ever had. This can make the resume lengthy and unfocused, and may also draw attention away from their most relevant experience.

Including too many soft skills:

Fresh graduates may include too many soft skills, such as "team player" or "good communication skills," which are vague and not specific to the job. This can make the resume less concise and less effective.

Not using bullet points effectively:

Fresh graduates may use long paragraphs instead of bullet points to describe their experiences and achievements, which can make the resume harder to scan and understand.

To avoid these mistakes and keep the resumes concise, as a fresh graduate, you should focus on relevant experience, use bullet points to highlight their achievements, and keep the content brief and relevant to the job they're applying for.

Mistakes Experienced Professionals Make

Here are some common mistakes that experienced professionals make that lead to a resume that is not concise:

Including too much detail:

Experienced professionals may have a lot of experience and accomplishments to share, and may try to include everything in their resume. This can lead to a long, dense document that is difficult to read and understand.

Not prioritizing relevant experience:

Experienced professionals may have a wide range of experience, but not all of it may be relevant to the job they are applying for. Including too much irrelevant information can make the resume less focused and less effective.

Using jargon and technical terms:

This one is very common and very difficult to avoid unless you are ruthlessly focussed. Experienced professionals may use industry-specific jargon and technical terms that are not easily understood by recruiters and hiring managers who may not be familiar with the industry. This can make the resume confusing and difficult to understand.

Not tailoring the resume to the job:

Experienced professionals may use a generic resume for every job application, rather than tailoring the resume to the specific job they are applying for. This can make the resume less effective, as it may not highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job.

Using long paragraphs instead of bullet points:

Experienced professionals may use long paragraphs to describe their experience and accomplishments, rather than using bullet points to make the information more easily scannable. This can make the resume more difficult to read and understand.

To avoid these mistakes and keep their resumes concise, experienced professionals should prioritize relevant experience, avoid using jargon and technical terms, tailor the resume to the job they are applying for, use bullet points to make the information more scannable, and keep the content brief and relevant.

Does keeping resume to one page mean the resume is concise?

Not necessarily. While it's true that keeping a resume to one page can often help with conciseness, it's not a hard and fast rule. The most important thing is that your resume is easy to read, visually appealing, and effectively communicates your skills, experience, and achievements to potential employers.

If you can accomplish all of those things in one page, then great! However, if you have extensive experience and qualifications that require more space to effectively showcase, then it's okay to go over one page. The key is to make sure that every piece of information on your resume is relevant and adds value to your candidacy. You don't want to fill up space with irrelevant or extraneous information just to make it longer.

In summary, while keeping a resume to one page can be a good general guideline, the most important thing is that your resume is effective in communicating your qualifications to potential employers. Now, I know you are thinking how can you check if you have done your best to keep you resume as concise as possible.

Is your resume concise - 30-second test

The 30-second test is a simple exercise where you give your resume to someone who has not seen it before and ask them to scan it for 30 seconds. After the 30 seconds are up, you ask the person to provide feedback on what they were able to gather about your qualifications and experience in that short time frame.

The purpose of this exercise is to test how effectively your resume communicates your skills, experience, and achievements to a potential employer. If the person is able to get a clear sense of what you have to offer in those 30 seconds, then it's likely that your resume is concise and effectively presents your qualifications. However, if the person struggles to understand what you're offering, or feels overwhelmed by the amount of information presented, it may be a sign that your resume needs further editing and refinement.

The 30-second test can be a helpful tool in ensuring that your resume is easy to read, visually appealing, and effectively communicates your qualifications to potential employers.

So, this 30-second test is THE simple test you can perform to confirm if your resume is as concise as it can be is the "30-Second Test." This involves giving your resume to someone who has not seen it before, and then setting a timer for 30 seconds. Ask the person to scan your resume quickly and then provide you with feedback on what they were able to gather about your qualifications and experience in that short time frame.

Expert resume tip!

If the person is able to get a clear sense of your skills, experience, and achievements in those 30 seconds, then your resume is likely concise enough. However, if the person struggles to understand what you're offering, or feels overwhelmed by the amount of information presented, it may be a sign that your resume needs further editing and refinement.

You can also try reading your resume out loud to yourself. This can help you identify any sections that feel unnecessarily long or verbose, or any areas where you may be repeating information. Ultimately, the goal is to make sure that your resume is easy to read, visually appealing, and effectively communicates your qualifications to potential employers.

Step 13: Proofread

A funny example one of my friends shared with me comes to my mind.

"Objective: To find a position that will allow me to use my exceptional attention to detain."

You see the point? If you were a hiring manager and you spotted this mistake, would you hire this person as an Analyst for a job that involves paying attention to small details as a core skill? I guessn not.

If you haven't caught the error yet, in this case, the person meant to say "attention to detail," but the misspelling of "detail" as "detain" completely changes the meaning of the sentence! It's an amusing mistake, but it could also be a costly one if a potential employer were to notice it.

This example highlights the importance of proofreading your resume carefully to catch any errors or typos that could impact your chances of landing a job.

Proofread

Proofreading is crucial when it comes to checking for grammatical and typographical errors. After writing your resume, take a break before coming back to it with fresh eyes. Then, read through your resume carefully, paying attention to sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. You can also use online tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to help identify errors.

Get a Second Pair of Eyes

Sometimes, we may overlook errors in our writing because we are too familiar with the content. Therefore, consider having someone else review your resume. This could be a friend, family member, or professional resume editor. They can provide a fresh perspective and spot errors you may have missed.

Use Consistent Formatting:

Another way to prevent grammatical and typo errors is to use consistent formatting throughout your resume. Use the same font, font size, and spacing for all text. Use bullet points or numbering for lists, and ensure they are consistent throughout. By maintaining consistent formatting, you reduce the chances of making errors that might otherwise creep in due to inconsistencies.

Expert resume tip!

The single most and easiest way to catch grammatical errors in a resume is to read it out loud. When you read your resume out loud, you are more likely to catch mistakes that you might have missed when reading silently. This is because reading out loud forces you to slow down and pay closer attention to each word and sentence. You'll be able to hear how your resume sounds and whether there are any awkward phrasings or grammatical errors. Additionally, this technique can help you to identify sentences that are too long or paragraphs that are too dense, allowing you to make necessary revisions for clarity and conciseness.

How long the sentence can be on a resume

In general, it's recommended to keep sentences in a resume relatively short and concise. The reason for this is that employers and recruiters often have to review many resumes in a short amount of time, and they need to be able to quickly scan the information to identify the most relevant details.

A good rule of thumb is to aim for an average sentence length of around 12-15 words. However, this is not a strict limit, and there may be times when a longer sentence is necessary to convey important information. If you do need to use a longer sentence, try to break it up into shorter, more manageable phrases that are easier to read and understand.

Overall, the goal is to make your resume easy to read and understand, so it's important to be mindful of sentence length and structure. By keeping your sentences relatively short and to the point, you'll be able to communicate your skills and experience more effectively and increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers.

Breaking down a long sentence into smaller ones can be a helpful technique for improving the clarity and readability of your writing. Here are a few strategies you can use to do so:

Identify the main idea: Start by identifying the main idea of the sentence. What is the central point that you are trying to communicate? Once you have identified this, you can begin to break the sentence down into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Look for conjunctions: Conjunctions like "and," "but," and "or" can often signal a point where you can break a long sentence into two or more smaller ones. For example, if you have a sentence that says "I have experience in project management, and I am skilled in budget analysis and team leadership," you could break this into two sentences: "I have experience in project management. I am skilled in budget analysis and team leadership."

Use transitional phrases: Transitional phrases like "in addition," "however," and "therefore" can also be useful for breaking up long sentences into smaller ones. For example, if you have a sentence that says "I managed a team of 10 employees and increased productivity by 25%," you could break this into two sentences using the transitional phrase "as a result": "I managed a team of 10 employees. As a result, productivity increased by 25%."

Rearrange the sentence: Sometimes, simply rearranging the sentence can help you to break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. For example, if you have a sentence that says "Despite my lack of experience, I am confident in my ability to learn quickly and contribute to the team," you could break this into two sentences by rearranging it: "I am confident in my ability to learn quickly and contribute to the team, despite my lack of experience."

By using these strategies, you can break down long sentences into smaller ones that are easier to read and understand, improving the overall clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

Step 14: Format your resume

Due to the lack of experience, a lot of fresh graduates can be seen spending too much of time on choosing a resume template that looks pleasing to the eye, only at the cost of not allocating enough time to focus on the conent.

It's important for fresh graduates to remember that while the format and design of a resume are important, they should not come at the expense of strong content. Ultimately, it is the content of a resume that will demonstrate a candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications for the job.

There can be a few reasons why uninformed fresh graduates may spend a lot of time on choosing a resume format but not focusing on content:

Some fresh graduates may not be aware of the importance of content in a resume or what constitutes good resume content. As a result, they may focus more on the format and design of their resume because that is what they think will make their resume stand out. In some cases, fresh graduates may prioritize the look and feel of their resume over the content because they believe that a visually appealing resume is more likely to get noticed. While the design of a resume is important, it is ultimately the content that will determine whether a candidate is a good fit for the job. Fresh graduates may have limited work experience or accomplishments to highlight in their resume, which can make it challenging to develop strong content. As a result, they may spend more time on formatting and design as a way to compensate for the lack of content.

Additionally, there is a lot of misinformation online about what makes a good resume, and some fresh graduates may not know where to turn for reliable advice. As a result, they may focus on the wrong aspects of their resume, such as the format, instead of the content.

experienced professionals can also make the mistake of focusing too much on the format and not enough on the content of their resumes. In some cases, professionals who have been in the workforce for a long time may have outdated resumes or may not be aware of the latest trends and best practices in resume writing.

Additionally, some experienced professionals may be overconfident in their skills and experience, and may assume that their credentials will speak for themselves without needing to focus on the content of their resume. However, this can be a risky approach, as even experienced professionals need to demonstrate their value to potential employers through well-crafted and targeted resumes.

Ultimately, it's important for both fresh graduates and experienced professionals to prioritize the content of their resumes, as this is what will ultimately determine whether they are a good fit for the job. While formatting and design are important, they should be used to enhance the content, not distract from it.

A poorly formatted resume is easy to spot.

Cluttered or dense layout:

If your resume looks crowded or difficult to read, with little white space and no clear visual hierarchy, it may be poorly formatted. A good resume should be easy to scan quickly, with clear headings, bullet points, and ample white space.

Inconsistent formatting:

If your resume includes inconsistent formatting, such as using different fonts or font sizes, inconsistent spacing, or inconsistent use of bold or italic text, it may be poorly formatted. A good resume should have a consistent, cohesive look and feel throughout.

Lack of emphasis on important information:

If important information, such as your work experience or education, is buried within the body of your resume or difficult to find, it may be poorly formatted. A good resume should highlight your most relevant experience and qualifications in a clear and prominent way.

Unprofessional design:

If your resume features overly bright colors, unusual fonts, or distracting graphics, it may be poorly formatted. A good resume should have a professional, polished design that conveys competence and professionalism.

Difficulty fitting onto one page:

If your resume is longer than one page or difficult to condense onto a single page, it may be poorly formatted. A good resume should be concise and focused, highlighting only the most important information and achievements.

If you are unsure whether your resume is poorly formatted, try asking a trusted friend, family member, or mentor to review it and provide feedback. Alternatively, you can seek out the advice of a professional resume writer or career coach, who can provide more detailed guidance on how to improve your resume formatting.

Importance of clear headings in resume formatting

Clear headings are important in a resume because they help to organize and structure the content of your resume, making it easier for potential employers to quickly understand your skills and experience. Here are some examples of clear headings that you might use in your resume:

Professional Summary or Objective: This heading is typically placed at the top of your resume and provides a brief overview of your skills, experience, and career goals. For example: "Professional Summary: Experienced marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in digital marketing and a proven track record of driving revenue growth for global brands."

Work Experience: This heading typically includes a list of your previous job titles, the companies you worked for, and the dates of your employment. For example: "Work Experience: Marketing Manager, Acme Corporation, 2018-present."

Education: This heading includes information about your educational background, including the schools you attended and any relevant degrees or certifications you earned. For example: "Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of California, Los Angeles."

Skills: This heading includes a list of your relevant skills and areas of expertise. For example: "Skills: Digital Marketing, SEO, SEM, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing."

By using clear headings, you can help to break up the content of your resume into easy-to-read sections, making it more accessible and appealing to potential employers. Additionally, clear headings can help to highlight your most relevant skills and experience, increasing your chances of being selected for an interview.

Importance of ease of read in resume formatting

here are three examples of resume sections that might be difficult to read:

Paragraphs instead of bullet points:

Using long paragraphs instead of bullet points to describe your work experience can make your resume difficult to read. Paragraphs are less visually appealing and can make it harder for employers to quickly understand your skills and accomplishments.

Example - Poorly formatted work experience section

"Managed a team of 10 employees and oversaw day-to-day operations of the sales department. Developed and implemented sales strategies to increase revenue by 15% year-over-year. Conducted performance reviews and provided coaching and training to team members to improve their skills."

Lack of white space

A resume that is dense and lacks white space can be difficult to read. White space is important because it helps to break up the text and makes it easier to scan and read.

Example - Poor use of white space

"Work Experience: Marketing Manager, XYZ Company, 2018-Present. Oversaw marketing strategy and campaigns across multiple channels. Developed and executed social media marketing campaigns. Managed a team of three marketing coordinators."

Overly complicated formatting:

Using too many different fonts, colors, and formatting styles can make your resume difficult to read and distracting. It's important to keep your formatting simple and consistent.

There is no need for an example here. If you have a resume that has more than 3 different font sizes and more than one font style, you have to correct it.

Which fonts are best for resumes?

First, why considerations for the font are important. There are a few reasons. A good font can make a resume more attractive and visually appealing. The right font can make your resume easier to read and scan quickly. Using a professional font can make a good first impression on recruiters and hiring managers. A consistent font style throughout the resume can create a cohesive and polished look. Choosing a font that matches the tone and style of the industry can help your resume stand out. The wrong font can make a resume look unprofessional and decrease its chances of getting noticed. Different fonts have different connotations and can convey different messages to the reader. A font that is too small or difficult to read can make your resume appear cluttered and unprofessional. Using a popular font can increase the chances that your resume will be compatible with different software and devices. Ultimately, the font you choose should enhance the content of your resume and help you present yourself as a qualified and professional candidate.

Depending on the country you are in, widely-held beliefs on which fonts are best can vary.

North America:

Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica are popular choices for resumes in North America. These fonts are modern and easy to read on screens and in print.

Europe:

Serif fonts like Times New Roman and Georgia are commonly used in Europe for resumes, especially in more traditional industries like law and finance. However, sans-serif fonts like Arial and Helvetica are also becoming more popular.

India:

Very similar to Europe and North America. The professionals in India are very liberal and welcoming of fresh thinking when it comes to presenting one's resume. This liberal thinking can also mean a challenge as one can literally pick any font; so pleae be careful and choose the font that looks professional and easy to read.

Asia:

In countries like China, Japan, and Korea, the use of traditional fonts is still common for resumes, especially for more formal positions. However, there is also a growing trend toward using modern sans-serif fonts.

Middle East:

In Arabic-speaking countries, the use of traditional Arabic calligraphy for resumes is still common, but more modern sans-serif fonts like Arial and Helvetica are also becoming popular.

South America:

Sans-serif fonts like Arial and Calibri are popular choices for resumes in South America, as they are modern and easy to read.

Overall, the key to choosing a font for a resume is to prioritize readability and professionalism. A simple and easy-to-read font is typically the best choice, as it ensures that the resume is easy for recruiters and hiring managers to scan quickly.

Step 15: Save and submit

Save your resume in a commonly used file format, such as PDF or Microsoft Word, and submit it as required by the employer.

There are some common mistakes people make when it comes to savin their wonderful resume they created after spending tens of hours.

Using the wrong file format:

One common mistake is saving the resume in the wrong file format. Most employers will request a PDF or Word document, so it's important to make sure your resume is saved in the appropriate format. Using other formats like HTML or plain text might result in formatting issues or make it difficult for the employer to open the document.

Not optimizing the file name:

Another mistake is not optimizing the file name when saving the resume. It's best to use a simple and descriptive file name, such as "JohnDoe_Resume.pdf" or "Marketing_Manager_Jane_Smith.docx". This makes it easier for employers to find and identify your resume in their files.

Saving the file with the wrong extension:

Sometimes, when saving the file, people might accidentally save it with the wrong file extension. For example, saving a Word document as a .txt file or a PDF as a .docx file. This can make it difficult for employers to open and read the resume, so it's important to double-check that the file extension is correct before sending it.

Not checking the file size:

If the resume file is too large, it might not be able to be attached to an email or upload onto a job application website. It's important to check the file size and reduce it if necessary by compressing images or removing unnecessary formatting.

Not backing up the file:

It's important to always have a backup of the resume in case it gets lost or accidentally deleted. Save a copy on a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox, or on an external hard drive or USB drive.

A lot of fresh graduates and experienced alike get confused because of the choices they have for the font to use on their resumes. Us, humans, find it difficult to make choices because of the complex and subjective nature of decision-making. However, being aware of these factors and taking steps to mitigate them can help us make more informed and confident choices. We are are prone to cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, where we tend to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs, leading to narrow decision-making. Here are some of my tips on best resume fonts.

Why fresh graduates don't get interview calls

The single most common reason why people don't get interview calls is that their resume does not match the job requirements or the expectations of the employer. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as not tailoring the resume to the specific job, including irrelevant or outdated information, or not highlighting the most important and relevant qualifications and achievements.

Employers receive many job applications for each position, and they often use a quick screening process to narrow down the pool of candidates based on their resumes. If a candidate's resume does not immediately demonstrate that they have the qualifications and experience that the employer is looking for, they may be passed over for an interview.

To increase your chances of getting interview calls, it is important to carefully review the job requirements and tailor your resume to highlight your most relevant qualifications and achievements. This may involve customizing your career summary statement, using keywords that match the job description, and providing specific examples of your skills and accomplishments that demonstrate your fit for the job. Additionally, proofreading and editing your resume for grammar and spelling errors can help ensure that it presents you in the most professional and credible light possible.

BCA Fresh graduate - how to get interview calls?

One thing that BCA fresh graduates can do to increase their chances of interview calls is to gain practical experience through internships, projects, or volunteer work. Many employers value candidates who have demonstrated their skills and knowledge in a real-world setting, and internships or other practical experiences can help candidates stand out from other applicants who may only have academic qualifications.

By participating in internships, projects, or volunteer work, BCA fresh graduates can gain hands-on experience in their field, develop practical skills that employers are looking for, and build their professional network. This can help them demonstrate their passion and commitment to their field, as well as their ability to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting. When applying for jobs, BCA fresh graduates can highlight their practical experience in their resume and cover letter, and use specific examples to demonstrate how they have applied their skills and knowledge in real-world situations. This can help them stand out from other candidates who may only have academic qualifications, and increase their chances of getting interview calls.

Can you include hobbies in your resume?

Fresh graduates can use their hobbies to showcase their unique skills and interests on their resumes. Including hobbies that demonstrate creativity, attention to detail, discipline, social responsibility, problem-solving skills.