Tips to Make Your Resume the Best It Can Be

One of the most important steps in starting your job search is crafting a great resume that will catch the eye of potential employers. When you’re applying for a new job, your resume is often the first thing an employer sees, and it needs to be perfect. Listed below are five tips on how to make the best possible resume:

Cover letters and their importance
A cover letter is a very important part of your resume. It is the first thing that an employer will see and it should be well-written and free of any grammar or spelling errors. The cover letter should be concise and to the point. It should state why you are interested icn the position and what qualifications you have that make you the best candidate for the job.

Keep Your Resume to 2 Pages
If you’re like most job seekers, you probably think that a longer resume is better. After all, you want to show off all your skills and experience, right? Wrong. When it comes to resumes, less is definitely more, and two pages is the optimum.  And while there are always exceptions to the rule, in general, you should stick to two pages or less.  It’s easier to read. It shows that you can be concise and to the point.  It forces you to focus on the most important information. And fourthly it’s more likely to get noticed in a sea of longer resumes.

Keep your resume relevant, don’t be afraid to use bullet point and ask yourself if anything can be condensed? 

What should be included on your resume?
When it comes to your resume, there are a few things you should always include to make sure it’s the best it can be. First and foremost, your resume should always include your name and contact information at the top. This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to include this basic information!

Next, your resume should have a clear and concise summary of your professional qualifications. This is your chance to sell yourself to potential employers, so make sure to highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Finally, be sure to list any relevant education or training you have that’s pertinent to the position you’re interested in. Even if you don’t have a formal degree, any relevant coursework or certification programs you’ve completed should be included on your resume.

What to leave off your resume
When it comes to your resume, less is almost always more. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for specific information when they review a resume, and anything that doesn’t fit into that criteria can be safely left off. So, what exactly should you leave off your resume? Here are a few things to consider:

1. Personal Information – There is no need to include your personal information (e.g. address, personal photo, etc.) on your resume. This information can be provided if and when you are invited to an interview for a position.
2. Salary History – Your salary history is not relevant to the position you are applying for and including it on your resume will only serve to discount you from the competition. If a potential employer is interested in your salary history, they will ask for it during the interview process.
3. Unrelated Work Experience – Only include work experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for. Including unrelated work experience will only serve to clutter up your resume and make it more difficult for recruiters to find the information they are looking for.  
4. Personal Interests – Again, this information is not relevant to the position you are applying for and including it on your resume will only serve as a distraction.  For example, if you are applying for Architect jobs, you don’t want to include your horse jumping medals. If a potential employer is interested in your personal interests, they will ask about them during the interview process.

Have a Well Formatted Resume
When you are formatting your resume, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you want to make sure that your resume is easy to read and scan. This means using clear headings and bullet points. Second, you want to use language that is concise and professional. Avoid using jargon or overly technical language. Third, you want to make sure your resume is tailored to the job you are applying for. This means highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.

Conclusion
A resume is one of the most important tools you have when seeking out a new job or career opportunity. By following these five tips, you can be sure that your resume will be the best it can be and will help you stand out from the competition. With a little effort and some thoughtfulness, you can create a resume that will open doors to new opportunities. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!