A resume is more than just a list of job roles, qualifications, and skills. It’s a sales document, highlighting your achievements in a way that recruiters, hiring managers, and future mentors can appreciate. It’s also a tool for getting past the applicant tracking systems, the software programs that 99% of the biggest companies use to evaluate resumes.1
Whether you’re writing your first resume or polishing your mid-career one, these tips will help you create a document that persuades employers to get to know you better. Get in contact for the most professional Skillmil resume writing services.
Here’s how to create a resume that will help you land an interview.
Include the Right Information
Every resume should include some basic information, including your contact details, work experience, job skills, and education and training. Depending on the job, industry, and your qualifications, you may also choose to include optional sections such as an objective, a resume profile, volunteer work or hobbies, GPA and honors, etc.
- Guidelines for What to Include in a Resume
- How to Include Your Contact Information on Your Resume
- How to Write a Resume Profile
Pick a Resume Format
Depending on your personal and professional circumstances, you’ll probably want to choose a chronological, functional, or combination resume.
Decide which type best fits your work experience, educational background, and skill set.
- Resume Formats: Types of Resumes (With Examples)
- Will a Creative Resume Get You Hired?
- How to Apply for Jobs Online
Review Templates and Samples
Using a resume template can help you organize your experience and qualifications. Look for resume samples for your specific industry, job title, or interest.
Be sure to customize your document for your experience and for each position. If you stick too closely to these samples, you’ll wind up with a generic resume that will do nothing to highlight your skills.
Match Your Qualifications to the Job
A good resume highlights the skills and qualifications you have that will be most appealing to the hiring manager. It’s not a complete work history or professional biography. To figure out what to include—and what to cut—analyze the job listing. Pay careful attention to how the employer describes the skills, experience, and responsibilities required for the role.