While it’s impossible to tell you exactly what to include in your resume, there are some common pieces of information that typically appear, and should definitely be included if they apply to you. If you can’t fit the information in to your resume in an easy-to-understand way, you might consider leaving it out. Potential employers will always read between the lines when they want to know more about you than what’s written down on paper.

Here are some of the easiest tips & tricks for an outstanding resume!

Customize each resume

The key to a great resume is tailoring it to the position you're applying for. But don't just cut and paste from the job advert, use this as an opportunity to show your personality and highlight your skills that match what they’re looking for.

When filling in professional experience, be sure not to list responsibilities that might not match the job description and be irrelevant. Instead, emphasize achievements that will make you stand out from other applicants.

Include education and volunteer work that aligns with the job requirements as well as the company’s values and CSR initiatives.

Use bullet points rather than paragraphs too, this makes it's easier for hiring managers to skim through without feeling overwhelmed by information.

Use simple words and action verbs

Include your name and contact information at the top of your resume. List out your previous employment in reverse chronological order.

If you have experience that is relevant to the position, highlight this experience early. Use brief sentences and use action verbs when possible.

For example, instead of writing ‘I was responsible for managing a budget’ try using action verbs. ‘Managed a budget’. Instead of saying you have excellent communication skills, be sure to back up your statement with specific examples of how you do have excellent communication skills. If possible, write quantifiable evidence that backs up any skill that may be subjective.

Highlight what you did

Everyone should personalise their resume in a way that can highlight what sets them apart. For example, Sarah has an art degree and wants to work in advertising, so she did this:

“After graduating from university with my degree in art, I knew it would be a challenge to find a job. To make myself stand out, I decided to include my art on my resume. It was a personal touch that really made me stand out and showed that I had creativity. I also listed all the skills that I gained while being a student at the school, like how to work with Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. This way the agency could see I had the skills already and wasn’t just an artist!”

Leave out anything that isn't relevant

As mentioned before, your resume should be tailored to the type of position you are applying for. If a position asks for certain credentials, ensure you include them. However, you will also want to keep it concise and organized and leave out anything unnecessary. For example, maybe that internship at the water park isn’t relevant for an accounting position 10 years later? 

Proofread!

The best way to make sure your resume stands out is to proofread it. Typos can be the difference between getting a call back and not. If you’re applying for a role that asks for ‘key attention to detail’ you will want to ensure that your resume backs up this statement by eliminating any errors. There are many tools available online that will help you check your resume, like Grammarly or Microsoft Word's spellchecker. You can also ask someone else to read over your resume for mistakes.

Finally, don't forget to read it backwards! Sometimes looking at something from a different angle can reveal errors we might have missed otherwise.

For more, visit our resources section in our website for more comprehensive help on resume writing!

https://www.coxpurtell.com.au/resources-and-faqs