HOW TO CREATE A PERFECT RESUME? [17 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND]
A resume is an essential tool for getting a job in Europe, and you must create one as soon as possible. With a good resume, you'll be ahead of 99% of your competition!
The idea behind crafting a good resume is to show the employer what an asset you can be to his company. The best way to do this is to focus on your experience instead of simply listing all the things you've done over the years. That being said, an up-to-date CV is still necessary for certain professions (doctors, lawyers).
If you're unsure how to format your resume or need some tips regarding content and structure, we suggest that you try our Resume Services; it will help you get your resume in shape and provide some valuable information, if any, is needed.
If you'd like to create a resume from scratch, please take into account the following advice :
1. Use 75 chars or less per line
This might sound odd but when writing a CV, use as few characters as possible to still convey what you mean to the employer. Short lines make the document easier to read, so be mindful of this point. Keep in mind also that some employers only look at the first 5-6 lines before deciding whether they want to call you for an interview or not. So make sure you have your best points written there! Of course, if you're sending your CV online via email, don't forget to remove the page header.
2. Use one page only
Even though it's not a law, in most cases, you should stick to one page of your CV/resume if you're able to do so. The employer will never see two pages unless he asks for more material. This means that your resume has only one chance to make an impression on the first impression – and we all know how important that is! Employers usually don't spend too long reading through resumes; they'll look at each resume for 10 seconds or less and pick out the most impressive ones within the first 5-6 lines. (For this reason, try not spending too much time on introductory paragraphs). They like brief resumes because there are plenty of them, so standing out is a must. There is an exception to this rule: If you're applying for a top job in Europe, such as director of the international department (or similar), it's advised that you prepare two page CV and mention your most recent work experience on the first page and then go into details about previous jobs. This will make up because a resume is usually read-only by one person who needs to have an overview of your CV to pass it on to HR or the hiring manager.
3. Don't be too long
Even after all of our tips, you still might find yourself with more space than needed. In these cases, we suggest removing some older work experiences and focusing on recent ones (most people won't remember what they did 10 years ago, and it's also not proof that you've been working hard).
4. Let your CV look clean
Better formatting means better results! Use our resume services to get some help with the styling if you need it. You can also use our service for creating a new CV template, so you'll have an example of how your future CV should be structured.
5. Try to avoid too much text on each page
If you're still worried about using too few characters per line, split up each section onto a separate page with clear identification (title at the top in bold font) so an employer will know where to go when he wants more information. Don't forget to number the pages!
6. Use a cover letter
Sending a resume with an attached cover letter is still the best way of sending it to employers. A good cover letter should consist of two paragraphs: The first one should summarise your track record, academic and professional skills and why the employer should hire you. (be careful not to sound arrogant). The second paragraph should contain a more detailed explanation regarding that position for which you're applying (why are you interested in this job, what do you bring to the company etc.)
7. Use keywords
If your CV contains all required keywords for the job description, then putting them in certain places will help the HR department better understand your potential as an employee. Keywords have become essential, especially when advertising online, so don't neglect this step if necessary.
8. Put your most important information in the first paragraph
This rule is becoming increasingly popular among employers, and it's easy to see why. People don't like reading through long texts, so they'll start skimming through after few sentences unless you create engaging content with a hook for them to keep reading. The employer will also scan this part of the CV before deciding if he wants to speak with you or not. Let us say you're applying for positions in the HR department; then put the keywords from the job description (HR, sales, leadership, communication etc.) as well as some sentence that shows interest in this position (something along the lines of "I'm interested in working in HR field because…") at the top of your resume just under your name. Don't forget to put the most critical information first, as it's easy for the reader to lose interest if he doesn't get what he's looking for right away!
9. Use action verbs
A resume should be descriptive of your actions, which resulted in success. It does not describe your duties or length of employment at each position (a little less experienced applicant can have a more impressive CV than an older one with more extended work experience). So instead of saying that you've "worked", try using words like "accumulated", "developed", "managed", etc. so the employer will imagine you working on a project and showing results instead of just sitting there doing some tasks; for years…
10. Put education last
If you're a recent graduate, include your educational history in the first paragraph. For everyone else, education should be placed after work experience but before personal details. The main reason behind this is the same as why CV needs to look clean: employers will scan text and take their time reading if they see anything that's not interesting or relevant for them.
11. Use simple language
Most employers know what you mean by "problem-solving", so there's no need to state it on your resume too. Tailor your resume (and cover letter) towards the position available instead of making it general enough for any company (it might cost you a job opportunity). If the employer wants somebody with a high degree of problem-solving skills, he'll ask! An excellent way to make your CV more is to use words from your job instead of making your own with the same meaning.
12. Print on high-quality paper
If you are applying for a job via email, make sure that the CV is in PDF format, and you attach the resume as a separate file (not inside). This way employer will receive it in a prepared, professional design, which will increase the chances of getting an interview invitation. In my opinion, this step doesn't cost any money but can be effective. Good luck!
13. Don't be afraid to ask for help
If you're not satisfied with whatever you've written or can't decide how to make your CV more appealing, don't hesitate to contact me and I'll try my best to answer all your questions. It's easy to get some help from a professional recruiter, so there's no need to reinvent the wheel trying to make your CV stand out in a pile of CVs.
14. Check for typos
Only you are responsible for mistakes, and if you tell me about them in a polite tone (no rudeness, please), I'll try to fix them.
15. Resume templates on the internet are designed for YOU
It's true! Every CV template is helpful because it shows how the format should look, what information one needs to include in the resume, and how it should be structured. If you have never written a CV before (or want to refresh your memory), start with one of those templates and base your work on it.
16. The heading "Objective" is dead
Or at least it should be! I see many CVs that have objectives like: " Looking for a very challenging position in marketing field which will allow me to apply my abilities and skills" …Man, if you don't know what you're looking for in a job, how are employers supposed to find anything matching YOUR criteria? If you still want to include something similar in your resume, only the company name you want to work. It's vital since no matter what the objective says, chances are every recruiter will delete it any way.
17. Use various media
Your CV should be clear, with no grammar or spelling mistakes, as you are trying to show your best self and get invited for an interview. It's better to create your resume in Word first and then using appropriate design programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign etc.… If you're good at graphic design but don't know how to work with these programs, there are many sites on the internet that can help you make beautiful documents (like http://www.canva.com/).
Final Thoughts
A resume is one of the most important aspects of landing a job. Not only does it have to be well written, but it has to be designed in such a way that is attractive and catches the employers eye. Don't underestimate the power of a good resume.
As always, if you want help making your CV look better or designing an excellent cover letter, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or visit our website, where we offer CV writing services.
Good luck!
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