Resume Tips

Your resume is meant to be the representation of all your hard work and accomplishments placed onto one piece of paper. When you think about all that you’ve done to get where you are now, the idea of writing a resume can seem a bit daunting. Then, when you find out that on average a recruiter spends 15 seconds looking at your resume before deciding whether or not you may be a good fit, it can seem nearly impossible. Below, I have outlined a few tips that can help ensure your resume will stand out among the crowd.

Tailor your Resume to the Job

            There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume. It's best to have one extremely detailed document that contains all information that could be useful in any career scenario. First, take away any information that would not directly apply to the job you are applying for. Second, reword the descriptions so that they contain key words and action statements used in the job description. If you choose to incorporate an objective statement into your resume, make sure it relates directly to the job you are applying for. These three things will help to highlight your relevant experiences.

Neat and Easy

            There is no standard format when it comes to resumes, so feel free to do what you feel looks most appealing, however, there are a few things to keep in mind. A resume that is difficult to read or is visually unappealing will be automatically dismissed without a second thought. Use a font that is professional, clean, and easy on the eyes. Typing in a playful font or script that is hard to decipher will get you nowhere. Make sure that your font size is maintained throughout the entire document. Additionally, the layout of your resume should be organized and neat with adequate whitespace.

Saving Your Resume

            There is a great debate among HR professionals as to what format is best when submitting your resume, PDF or a Word document? There are valid concerns and benefits for both. Most concerns revolve around the recruiter not being able to read the document on a different computer. I prefer both PDF and Word, but for two very different scenarios.

If you send your resume via email to a recruiter or company directly, I recommend sending it in PDF form. Using a PDF prevents two things from happening. One, your resume will not format itself differently when opened by the recruiter. This is often the case when using Word documents, specifically when trying to open something from a Mac on a PC. Secondly, it prevents anyone but you from making any changes to your resume.  

If you are applying for a job and submitting your resume through an applicant tracking system, then it is best to submit your resume as a Word document. Some applicant tracking systems cannot process PDFs and will therefore submit your application without a resume. Additionally it is best to save your resume as a Word 2003 version, .doc not .docx. This will ensure that if the recruiter is using an older version of Word, he or she will still be able to view your resume.

If you have any questions or recommendations for other resume tips feel free to comment below!