Resume Writing Tips

Your resume is one of the most important tools in your job search. It is your first impression to potential employers and it showcases your skills, experience, and achievements. Therefore, it is essential that your resume is well-written, clear, and concise. Here are 10 tips to help you create a resume that stands out:

a man and a woman are looking at a laptop computer .
  1. Tailor your resume to each job application. Don’t use a generic resume that lists all your previous jobs and responsibilities. Instead, customize your resume to put more focus on the skills and accomplishments that are relevant to the specific position and employer.
  2. Use keywords from the job description. Many employers use software to scan resumes for keywords that match their requirements. To increase your chances of getting past these filters, use keywords from the job description in your resume. For example, if the job description mentions “customer service” or “sales”, make sure to include those words in your resume.
  3. Use action verbs and quantifiable results. Don’t just list your duties and responsibilities in your resume. Instead, use action verbs to describe what you did and how it benefited your employer or client. For example, instead of saying “responsible for managing social media accounts”, say “managed social media accounts and increased engagement by 25%”. Whenever possible, use numbers, percentages, or other metrics to show your impact.
  4. Format your resume properly. Your resume should be easy to read and scan. Use a simple font, such as Arial or Calibri, and a font size between 10 and 12 points. Use bullet points, headings, and white space to organize your information and make it visually appealing. Avoid using fancy graphics, colors, or fonts that may distract from your content or make it hard to read.
  5. Keep it short and sweet. Your resume should not exceed two pages in length, unless you have a lot of relevant experience or achievements to showcase. Ideally, your resume should be one page long, especially if you are a recent graduate or have less than five years of work experience. Remember, quality over quantity. Focus on the most important and relevant information that showcases your value to the employer.
  6. Proofread and edit your resume. Nothing can ruin your chances of getting an interview faster than spelling or grammatical mistakes in your resume. Make sure to proofread and edit your resume carefully before sending it to anyone. Use a spell checker, a grammar checker, or a friend to help you catch any errors or typos. You can also use online tools such as Grammarly or Hemingway to improve your writing style and clarity.
  7. Use a professional email address. Your email address is one of the first things that employers will see when they receive your resume. Make sure that it is professional and appropriate for the job application. Avoid using email addresses that are too casual, funny, or inappropriate, such as “cutiepie123@gmail.com” or “badboy69@hotmail.com”. Instead, use an email address that consists of your name or initials, such as “jane.doe@gmail.com” or “j.doe@hotmail.com”.
  8. Save your resume in a compatible format. When you send your resume to an employer, make sure that it is in a format that they can open and view easily. The most common formats are PDF and Word documents (.pdf and .docx). PDF files are preferred because they preserve the formatting and layout of your resume across different devices and platforms. Word documents are also acceptable, but they may look different depending on the version of Word or the operating system used by the employer.
  9. Be honest and accurate. Last but not least, be honest and accurate in your resume. Do not lie or exaggerate about skills, experience, or achievements. Employers can easily verify this information through background checks, references, or online searches. 

We hope this mini-blog was useful for you and gave you some insights on how to create a resume that will impress any employer and land you an interview. If you need more help with your job search or career development, feel free to contact us at MT Talent Solutions. 

We are a Canadian Recruiting Firm specializing in providing a holistic approach to recruiting by ensuring that the right chemistry exists between the candidate and the employer. We would love to hear from you and help you find your perfect match. Good luck!

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