How to write the perfect resume | The Ultimate step-by-step guide

Are you searching for a job and wondering how you can write the perfect resume for that position? Maybe you have applied for a lot of jobs and they all turned out unfruitful. Whatever the case maybe it is time to look into how to write the perfect resume and I am here to help.

A perfect resume will get you a job faster than all your certificates will. In writing a perfect resume there are some things you need to consider.

What is a resume?

A resume is a document you send out in search of a job, it contains information about you on why you are best fitted for the job.

Whether you’re networking, applying for an internal position, or searching for jobs online, you won’t get it without a perfect resume.

How is a resume different from a CV?

It’s very common for people to mix this two up but they are two totally different things. A CV usually contains all your academic credentials/certificates, it is everything that speaks about your formal education.

While, your resume, presents a concise picture of your skills and qualifications for a specific position and is dictated by years of experience.
A CV is usually lengthy, it might take up to 15 pages while a resume should not be more than two pages.

Steps in making a Resume

Choose a Resume Format

There are three types of resumes: chronological, functional, and hybrid (sometimes called a combination resume). For most job seekers, a hybrid resume format that emphasizes both skills and work experience is the best to write a perfect resume. In some cases, however, a chronological or functional resume may be preferable.

Write a Stand-out Resume Headline

A resume headline is a concise, one-line description of who you are as a candidate. A well-written headline can grab a recruiter’s attention and encourage them to take a more detailed look at your qualifications.

Add necessary contact information

Note the word necessary here and make sure you are adding only information that is to your advantage.

When writing a good resume your name, email, and contact number is very important you can also go ahead and add your linked in handle.  It is not necessary to put your address if you know it will not work to your advantage. Your birthday/age is also not necessarily.

Add your Professional Resume Summary Statement

A resume summary statement is a short paragraph or section of bullet points at the beginning of a resume that highlights your professional skills and experience. Your summary should expand on your headline and communicate to recruiters and hiring managers why you are a good fit for the job.

If you are adding more than one job history entry to your resume or CV experience section, begin with the most latest position and work your way back in reverse chronological order.

Make your case in each entry’s duties and successes with five or six bullet points.

In addition, the bullet points for your experience section resume should be close to the top, but below your heading statement. If you have little or no working qualifications, prioritize your education over your work history.

What kind of work experience should you put on your resume?

A resume should, in general, go back 15 years. However, the longer your resume, the less concerned you should be about its length. Don’t try to cram everything into a one-page resume if you’re a highly-skilled candidate.

• High-ranking applicants, such as directors and managers, should list 10 to 20 years of noteworthy work experience, introducing each bullet point with strong action verbs.
• Mid-level job candidates must include thorough job descriptions for relevant positions as well as a brief mention of any other positions.
• Entry-level applicants should list and explain all paid work, emphasizing the most important responsibilities and achievements.
• First-time job seekers with no professional experience can fill out their experience section with other things. You could include student organization roles, mentorship, or voluntary work here.

Mention any awards you’ve received and when you received them.

After mentioning your working experience you should talk about your awards. Let your employers know you have been acknowledged in the past for doing some great jobs. This will help put you ahead of all other applicants. If you haven’t received any awards, don’t worry; simply skip this section.

Sending your resume

This is the last step and a very important one. There are many ways to share your résumé with an organization when applying for a position. Make sure you are aware of these great tips to make sure that your hard work is displayed.

• Make use of keywords: Most companies commonly search résumé banks for keywords or job-specific criteria. Including keywords in your résumé’s summary, experience, qualifications, and awards sections will increase your odds of being identified as a possible match. You can also include keywords in your title and a short description of yourself, as most job sites do.
• Print out your resume: it is also very wise to have a copy of your resume during the interview. This will allow you to present your well written resume if asked for it.

You can check out some interview tips from our previous article