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- 7 Steps to Create an Effective Resume
“Take your job seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.” — Alex Trebek
Building a compelling resume, trying to figure out what are the right inputs to get the best outputs — the interview and the job — can often feel daunting. The pressure that comes with trying to write an effective resume let alone creating one in less than 3 hours can be emotionally draining.
According to a Glassdoor survey reported, A single corporate job opening gets an average of 250 applications.
But, before you set out to create your resume, break down it into sections. It is not only about the introduction, body and conclusion, but it is also about everything you want to include in each section.
So, here is a step by step approach to help you build an effective resume while making every minute counts.
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Ready to dive in?
Step 1 — Gather and organize your resume information.
This should be a digital document like Google Doc. to make it easier for you to access when filling out your resume. A few things you should consider to include in the digital document.
Contact details
Educational background
Work experience
Skills and certifications
Awards and honors
Step 2 — Decide on a resume format.
that best showcases your strengths.
Chronological: Ideal if you have a consistent work history.
Functional: Great for highlighting skills, especially if you have gaps in your work history.
Combination: A mix of both, useful if you want to highlight skills while also showing your work experience.
Note. If you decide to use a template, select one that is clean and professional, and start filling in your contact information and a brief summary.
“Only 25% of resumes make it past the ATS and in front of a human recruiter! This means that 75% of resumes don’t qualify because of formatting, content, or lack of keywords. (Gitnux).”
Step 3 — Write a concise professional summary.
Make sure to encapsulate your experience, skills, and what you bring to a potential employer. This should be a few sentences.
According to Novoresume “The average time a hiring manager spends looking at a resume is 7 seconds, so your resume needs to make a very quick impression.” In fact, “The ideal length of a resume is between 475 and 600 words.” according to Forbes.
Step 4 — Detail your work experience.
starting with your most recent job. For each position, include:
Job title
Company name and location
Dates of employment
Key responsibilities and achievements
Use bullet points for clarity and focus on achievements, using quantifiable data when and where possible. For example, “Increased sales by 20%” or “Managed a team of 5”).
Step 5 — Add education and certifications.
List your educational background, starting with the most recent. Make sue to Include:
Degree
Institution name
Graduation date
Relevant coursework or honors
If you have certifications, include them in a separate section. Mention any professional courses, licenses, or relevant training that enhances your qualifications.
Step 6— Create a section to highlight your Skills.
That Includes both hard skills (e.g., technical) and soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership) that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Customize this section for each job application to match the job description closely.
Step 7 — Proofread and refine.
Spend your final hour reviewing your resume. Look for:
Spelling and grammar errors
Consistency in formatting (fonts, bullet points, etc.)
Clarity and conciseness
It would be helpful to have a friend or mentor review your resume for a fresh perspective. Make any necessary revisions, ensuring the final document is polished and professional.
In conclusion, keep in mind that there are several factors that make a great resume. And with more time and experience you will have the right resume for the right job. Don’t try to perfect, there is no such thing as perfection. Be consistent and work at it. You will constantly have new things to add to your resume for now just get started.
We are what we repeatedly do.
Bad resume.
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Good Resume
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Pro tips.
Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Keep It Concise:..Aim for a one-page resume unless you have extensive experience that justifies a second page.
LinkedIn Profile. Add your LinkedIn profile to your resume.
Job board sites.
Learn job readiness skills.
*Please note some sites may be an affiliate.
If you decide to take the plunge we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Stay Strong and stay in the Game.
Wishing you continued success!
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