When you apply for a position, the only thing that your potential employer knows about you is how your resume looks. Use these simple tips to make sure that your resume looks great when you submit it for a position. Remember that there is only once chance to make a first impression.
- Run spell check. So simple and easy, yet so many people forget to do it.
- Make sure that you are not missing information. If you cannot remember exactly when you worked at a particular company, take the time to look it up so that your resume is complete and has accurate information.
- Be consistent. If you decide to bold and underline job titles, make sure to do it throughout the resume. Don’t bold some, and underline others. If you are listing, company name, title, and dates of employment in that order, stick to that order and don’t change it for each position. Don’t switch back and forth between “to” and “-“ when you are listing dates.
- Stick to relevant information. Most employers are not interested in your hobbies, your extracurricular activities, or your family size. They are interested in the skills relevant to the position that they have.
- Include a short professional summary relevant to the position for which you are applying. This is your chance to summarize your experience, skills, and education and let the potential employer know why you are a fit for the position. Do not get carried away. This does not need to be a full page long.
- Modify your resume for each position, to make sure that the most important information is present.