HOW TO WRITE A RESUME
Since a resume is the core of a job search, it must be well-written and contain meaningful information to attract the attention of the recruiters. Before you write your resume, take account of the recommendations that you will find on this page. Read the job requirements of the position you're applying to. Add relevant information about previous jobs, important skills and make your resume as concise as possible.
Avoid going into detail: nationality, marital status, date of birth, sports, hobbies, etc. The personal profile is like your business card for potential recruiters; therefore, start drafting key information and then organize it. You can highlight important skills, experiences and educational qualifications to attract the attention of the employer.
Dos and don'ts
Check out these handy tips for the preparation of your resume:Dos
- Include only relevant information, that is to say, job experiences that are closely related to the job you are applying to.
- Use formal language and try to write brief and short paragraphs.
- Start your sentences with action verbs in the "work experience" section of your resume.
- Stress important details by using bullet points or bold type.
- Ask a friend of yours to proofread your resume in case you may have overlooked some punctuation and grammar mistakes.
- Keep your resume updated.
Don'ts
- Give a lot of details: Employers usually discard long and discursive resumes.
- Leave large gaps in your working experience, it is recommended to fill it with informative sentences where you explain the reason(s) as to why you've got these gaps (maternity leave, travel, study, etc.)
- Use extravagant font styles: Keep it to only one; that way, your resume will be more readable.
- Use unsuitable photos, graphics or colors.
Structure of a resume
This document should be well-organized and have clearly defined sections. If you submit a well-structured resume, you will improve the chances of a job interview. Consequently, look at these recommendations to write an effective resume.Personal information
- Name and surname.
- Residence.
- Telephone, mobile, and fax numbers.
- Personal email address.
- Personal profile.
Avoid going into detail: nationality, marital status, date of birth, sports, hobbies, etc. The personal profile is like your business card for potential recruiters; therefore, start drafting key information and then organize it. You can highlight important skills, experiences and educational qualifications to attract the attention of the employer.
Work experience
Start with your last working experience:- Briefly describe the relevant duties and responsibilities of your job position.
- Give a concise summary about other experiences that are relevant to the job application such as voluntary works and job placements.
- Summarize temporary jobs if they are not closely related to the job position that you are applying to.
- Explain long gaps in your working experience with straightforward sentences.
- Provide a positive explanation about large unemployment periods, if you have one.
Educational background
- Mention all your academic credentials such as: associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree and Ph.D.
- Let the employers know when your courses end if you are still taking courses at a university.
- Include refresher and specialization courses.
- List your elementary school and secondary schools.
Important achievments and skills
- Itemize foreign languages, and relevant courses.
- List any professional achievement such as awards for excellence in your field.
- Computer literacy (word, excel, power point, outlook).
Referees
- Often update your references (telephone number, work address, current position.)
- If you are a recent graduate, give the name of your counselor, tutor or other person. Do not include any relatives.
- Provide only reliable references; employers usually confirm your resume's information by phone.