Your resume is the tool that gets you an interview. If you are applying for lots of jobs and not getting any interviews there is more than likely something wrong with your resume. Resumes must be simple, to the point and easy to read. If an employer has a hundred resumes to look through you have just a few seconds to impress them enough to make it to the ‘possible’ pile and a closer inspection.
Your resume is your opportunity to speak to the employer, make sure that you are saying the right things. It must match the skills that the employer is looking for, so tailor each resume to suit the job you are applying for. An added bonus of a good resume is that it will boost your confidence. It is very encouraging to see your skills laid out in black and white, and when you are applying for jobs you need all the confidence you can get!
Gone are the days of big and bulky resumes, keep yours short and precise with only relevant information – aim for two pages, one if you have been at work for less than 5 years. It goes without saying that it must be error free and well laid out.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Only include information that is relevant such as name, address and contact details. Do not include your age, marital status, having children, where you were born, your sexual orientation etc. These details do not affect how you function in your job unless of course you are applying for the defence force or a junior position where your age is relevant.
CAREER SUMMARY
Only include a career summary if you have something important or different to say. An employer wants to hear how you can contribute to their business not just what you want to get out of a job.
SKILLS SUMMARY
This is a list of your transferable skills that relate to the position you are applying for. List your most important skills and attributes appropriate to the position. Use a combination of industry specific skills and generic skills. DO NOT include attributes such as hardworking, honest, loyal or punctual unless you really have no others to speak of.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Devote the greatest amount of space to your most recent and most responsible jobs. Employers are not interested in what you did more that 7 – 10 years ago, unless it specifically relates to the job for which you are applying and/or shows steady career progression. List your jobs in reverse chronological order, outlining the contributions you made and the value you added, results and accomplishments. You do not need to list your duties particularly if you have had a number of similar jobs and you want to keep your resume down to 2 pages. Your skills and attributes should already be listed in the skills summary section.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
List your highest academic qualification attained and the institution from which it was gained. If you are currently enrolled in a course include the details. Any special accomplishments or awards relevant to your study may also be mentioned. Do not include your high school results if you went to school more than 15 years ago, and not at all if you have other more relevant qualifications.
INTERESTS
Employers are interested in whether you will fit into an organisation and if you’re the sort of person who will work well with other employees. However, only mention interests that add value to your application - gardening, reading and going to the movies probably do not add value.
MEMBERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
If you belong to any organisations linked directly to your career, it is important that they be listed.
REFEREES
It is essential that you nominate two or three people, usually previous or current employers, who know you well and can speak favourably about your work habits, skills and strengths. Contact them prior to an interview to tell them about the job for which you are to be interviewed. If you are unable to provide work referees choose people who can provide information regarding your character, leadership skills, teamwork and other traits to strengthen your claims.
Do not send copies of written references with your application, you can take them to your interview if you get one.
And a few last points.
If you are not sure whether to include information here are a few questions to ask yourself
-
Does it add weight to my resume?
-
Is the experience relevant to the targeted job?
-
Is it really necessary?
-
Would excluding it look like I’m trying to hide something?
DO NOT INCLUDE
-
Current or past remuneration
-
Salary expectations
-
Religion
-
Weight & height
-
Details of primary education and location of school
-
Photographs
-
Untruths
-
Weaknesses
DO NOT USE
-
Fancy “resume” paper
-
Font smaller than size 11
twitter
facebook
linked in
Please wait