Have you ever wondered what makes a resume stand out to potential employers? Your resume is like your personal marketing tool, showcasing your experience, skills, and qualifications in just one page.
But the thing is, with companies using software like an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to sift through applications, you need to make sure your resume is tailored to catch their eye and pass through the ATS.
These ATS scan resumes for specific keywords to rank candidates. While they can save time for employers, they also have their drawbacks. In fact, about 60% of employers admit that these systems sometimes miss qualified candidates. That’s where knowing the right resume writing tips comes in handy.
In this article, we’ll guide you through some top tips for a good CV and share some samples to help you ace your next job application.
Top Strategies and Tips for Creating a Resume
Whether you are a fresh graduate or a skilled professional, having a well-crafted resume is crucial for getting the best opportunities. So, let’s look into the most effective strategies and resume writing tips:
Be Strategic
Your resume isn’t a laundry list of everything you’ve ever done. Therefore, you have to be selective. Firstly, highlight experiences that showcase your skills and problem-solving abilities related to the job and role you are applying for.
Instead of generic headings like “work” and “volunteering,” opt for more specific ones like “research,” “international experience,” or “leadership experience” to group similar positions together.
Keep it Consistent
One of the most effective resume writing tips is consistency, especially regarding formatting. Stick to one format throughout the document, whether it’s bold headers or bullet points. Consistent formatting and error-free content convey professionalism and attention to detail.
Also, a well-formatted and consistent resume is more ATS-compliant, making it easier to pass through the preliminary checks.
Include a Variety of Experiences
Don’t limit yourself to just paid employment. Employers value diverse experiences, including volunteering, internships, and project-based. Besides, how you present these experiences matters just as much as the experiences themselves.
Think Like an Employer
Remember, employers only spend a few seconds scanning each resume. So, tailor your resume for each job application by highlighting relevant experiences that directly align with the job requirements. Also, make it easy for employers to see the connection between your skills and their needs.
Keep it Visually Balanced
A well-designed resume strikes a balance between text and white space. Avoid cramming too much information or leaving too much empty space. Choose a readable font, avoid tiny text, and minimize the use of graphics. If you use colour, ensure it remains legible when printed in black and white.
Following these strategies and tips for a good CV will increase your chances of landing your dream job. But how do you start with resume writing? Read the next section for more effective resume building tips.
Create an Effective Resume using these Resume Writing Tips and Samples
Creating an effective resume can open doors to numerous job opportunities. But what exactly makes a resume stand out? So, let’s look into some resume writing tips and samples that make a resume more effective:
Step 1: Gather Your Professional Information
Before starting resume writing, gather all relevant professional information. This includes:
- Measurable achievements from previous positions; instead of writing, “I helped close more deals”, opt to write, “By implementing strategic planning and implementation, I successfully closed 60% of deals.”
- Inventory of soft, hard, and technical skills; be honest with your skills, and ensure they align with the current role you are applying to.
- Detailed job history with responsibilities and accomplishments; this should be summarised and written using statistics and figures.
- Educational credentials and certifications: always start with the latest certification and the last attended course.
- Volunteer work and awards: never shy about showing your skills and accomplishments outside your work.
For example:
If you’re applying for a marketing role, gather your achievements in previous marketing campaigns, your proficiency in analytics tools, and any relevant certifications in digital marketing.
Applying these resume writing tips sets the stage for an impactful resume that aligns with your career goals.
Step 2: Choose the Right Resume Format
Selecting the appropriate resume format is one of the most effective resume writing tips. So, consider these options when writing a resume:
- Chronological: Highlights work experience first, ideal for consistent job histories
- Functional: Emphasises skills and training, beneficial for career changers or those with employment gaps
- Combination: Blends skills and work experience, suitable for professionals seeking career advancement
Choose a format that best showcases your qualifications and career trajectory.
Step 3: Add Your Contact Information
Make sure that your contact information is displayed correctly. Such as:
- Full name
- Current phone number
- Professional email address
- City, state, and ZIP code
For example:
Your resume header might look like this:
John Doe | 123-456-7890 | [email protected]
This allows hiring managers to reach out for further consideration easily.
Step 4: Create a Good Resume Summary
Create a summary that precisely highlights your key skills and accomplishments.
For example:
- Aspiring project manager with strong organisational skills and a commitment to driving success through collaboration
- Results-oriented marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving successful campaigns and increasing brand visibility. Proficient in digital marketing strategies and analytics tools, with a proven track record of exceeding targets
Whether you opt for a summary or an objective, make it impressive and tailored to the job you’re applying for.
Step 5: Outline Your Work History With Verifiable Metrics
Another effective resume writing tip is to focus on achievements rather than responsibilities.
For example:
- Increased sales by 30% within six months
- Handles operations, which resulted in a 20% reduction in costs
- Led a team that successfully launched a new product while exceeding sales targets by 15%.
Remember, highlighting valuable accomplishments proves your value to potential employers.
Step 6: Showcase Your Skills
Create a section with dedicated skills to highlight your strengths. Also, include a mix of hard and soft skills relevant to the job.
For example:
- Hard skills: Digital Marketing (SEO, SEM, Google Analytics)
- Soft skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving
By showcasing your diverse skill set, you demonstrate your ability to excel in various aspects of the job.
Step 7: List Your Education Accurately
Another one of the most effective resume writing tips is to detail your educational background accurately. Such as:
- Name of institution
- Location
- Degree or program
- Graduation date or expected graduation date.
For example:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | University of California, Berkeley | May 2020
- GPA: 3.8
- Relevant Coursework: Software Engineering, Database Management, Artificial Intelligence
Step 8: Include Certifications and Training
Highlight any certifications, licenses, or professional training you’ve completed.
For example:
- Lifeguard Certification (American Red Cross, June 2021)
- First Aid Training (In Progress, American Red Cross)
This showcases your commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
Step 9: Incorporate Optional Sections
Include additional sections such as volunteer work, awards, or publications, if applicable.
For example:
- Worked on construction projects to build and repair homes for low-income families.
- Collaborated with a team of volunteers to complete shelter projects for indigenous tribes in Mexico.
These sections provide further insight into your character and accomplishments.
Step 10: Proofread and Finalise
Before submitting your resume, carefully proofread for typos and formatting errors:
- Check for grammatical mistakes
- Ensure consistency in formatting
- Save your final document in a professional format (e.g., PDF)
A polished resume reflects attention to detail and professionalism, which increases your chances of making a positive impression on potential employers.
By following these resume writing tips, you can create a resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and sets you apart from the competition.
How 6 Pence Helps
If you’re still feeling stuck or need help writing a resume, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. Professional resume writing services and career advisors are available to provide personalised guidance and support tailored to your needs. In fact, investing in your resume is an investment in your future success.
Now, armed with these resume writing tips, you must be looking for the next big opportunity. 6 Pence is one of the leading staff outsourcing company in Bahrain, Dubai, Iraq, and Oman. We hire candidates for top global and local companies in these areas across different industries like IT, communication, oil and gas, etc.
Visit our careers page, and drop your CV with us! You can also follow us on our social handles to stay updated on the latest job openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a CV vs Resume?
Ans: CV vs Resume
A resume is a concise document, usually one page long, highlighting key aspects of a person’s career. A CV is a complete document detailing a person’s entire career history.
The format of a resume is flexible, while a CV’s format varies based on the job and the applicant’s background. Resumes are suitable for any job, whereas CVs are preferred for academia, science, law, and medicine roles.
Q2. How do you write an effective resume?
Ans: Resume writing tips
- Create a clear, organised resume format.
- Use bullet points with strong action verbs.
- Provide context and quantify achievements.
- Highlight relevant skills and qualities.
Q3. Which is the best resume writing strategy?
Ans: Best resume writing tips and strategies
- Use relevant keywords to increase the chances of being noticed by automated systems.
- Highlight professional achievements to stand out to hiring managers.
- Create short and impactful content to effectively communicate your qualifications and experiences.
