Back to Blog
Resume writing tips and How-to guide
Writing a resume is not rocket science right? Wrong! While resume writing does not require the hardcore skills rocket science does, it is a very complex subject that most people have a problem with. And if I was to make a bold guess now, I’d say that since you are reading this article, chances are that you too have a hard time writing the best resume possible. But worry no more. This massive article will educate you on what a resume should have and will give you actual resume writing tips that you can go and apply immediately.
Research has shown that a professionally written resume boosts your earning potential by 7%. So, can anyone write a good resume? The answer is yes and no. While you can follow the methodology and cover every possible angle of a professionally written resume, still you will need some experience. Of course, sometimes you might be lucky and the recruiters will spend some time on your resume or read between the lines but most of the time this is not the case.
How to write a professionally written resume: Methodology
Understand your audience
The first step in the resume writing process is to understand your audience. You need to know what the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate and what skills and achievements are important for the position you’re applying for. Go on LinkedIn, search for the job positions you are trying to land and take a look at the person’s profile who posted the job.
Identify key skills or achievements relevant to your job
The second step is to identify key skills or achievements relevant to your job. Research the company and industry, and identify key skills and achievements that are relevant to the job. Ask industry experts online or offline for more information.
Tailor your resume to the job description
With this information in hand you can tailor your resume to the job description and highlight your most relevant skills and accomplishments. Show the recruiter what value you can offer to them. A common mistake that we see a lot in My next job is to have a lack of focus on your resume and have a generic theme.
Use specific keywords and phrases
The fourth step is to use keywords and phrases to show that you understand the requirements of the position and that you are a good fit. How to find the right keywords and phrases? Here’s a list:
- Industry-specific terminology: Use specific language and terminology that is relevant to the job and industry.
- Key skills: Include a list of your most relevant skills, such as technical proficiency, communication skills, project management, and problem-solving abilities.
- Relevant accomplishments: Highlight your achievements, such as successful projects, awards, and quantifiable results, using keywords and phrases that demonstrate your value as a candidate.
- Job requirements: Use language from the job description, including job duties and responsibilities, to show that you understand what the employer is looking for in a candidate.
- Technical skills: If you have technical skills, such as proficiency in specific software or programming languages, be sure to include them in your resume.
- Education and certifications: Mention any relevant degrees, certifications, or training programs that you have completed.
- Action verbs: Use action verbs, such as “managed,” “led,” “designed,” and “developed,” to describe your responsibilities and achievements.
Quantify accomplishments
The fifth step is to make sure that you have included numbers in your CV. Quantified accomplishments show that you not only are a person that gives value to a company but you can also manage the expectations managers have from you.
According to Indeed’s article (you can read it here), you can do this by:
- Tracking your past work
- Making use of ranges
- Focusing on metrics that your recruiters value in the job position
Understand how ATS work
The sixth step is to get a clear understanding of what applicant tracking systems (ATS) are and how they work to optimise your CV for them. In short, applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software programs used by many organisations to streamline and automate the recruitment and hiring process. The role of ATS systems is to scan resumes, cover letters, and job applications to assess the qualifications of job candidates. They then rank and sort candidates based on factors such as keywords, education, experience, and skills.
Revise and proofread
The seventh step is to revise and proofread your resume for potential mistakes. It is very important that you don’t have any typos, grammatical errors, or things you don’t want to include. Check your resume again and again to make sure that it is ready for sending.
Get some feedback especially from industry experts
It is important to get some feedback on your resume from industry experts to make sure that what you want to “say” is being said through your CV. If you don’t have any industry experts around you can ask your friends or family.
In My next job we have our own methodology of resume writing process covering the above topics but also some hidden topics that will skyrocket your chances of getting the best resume in the recruiters’ room. Order your resume now from us and land the jobs you’ve always searched for.
Actionable resume writing tips
Write a compelling summary statement
To write the optimal summary statement for your resume you first need to know what a summary statement is. So, a summary statement is this brief introduction at the top of your resume (you’ve seen it before) that highlights your key skills, experiences, and achievements. It’s a unique opportunity to make a strong first impression on hiring managers and showcase why you would be the best fit for the job. Here are 5 tips for writing a compelling summary statement:
Be strategic with your strengths: Identify the skills, experiences, and accomplishments that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for and focus on them in your summary statement.
Keep it clean and concise: A summary statement should be brief, typically no more than 3-4 sentences or 200 words. Use clear and concise language as well as bullet points to make your statement easy to scan and understand.
Highlight your achievements: Rather than just listing your responsibilities, focus on your accomplishments and quantify your results to sound more result oriented.
Use keywords and industry-specific terminology: Look for keywords and phrases on the job posting that are relevant and include them in your summary statement.
Tailor it to the job: One size does not fit all. Customise your summary statement for each job you apply for by including keywords, skills, and experiences that match the requirements of the job posting.
Show your personality: Your summary statement is an opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and skills, so don’t be afraid to be creative and show your personality. Just be careful not to show characteristics that might appear unnecessary.
Use a professional format that suits your industry
To find the “perfect” format there are 3 things you can actually do
First you could use pre-designed resume templates. You can find such templates on Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Canva and others.
Second, you can search for examples on Google: There are many websites and online resources that offer free resume samples and templates that you can use for inspiration. Simply search for “resume templates” or “resume samples” online and you’ll find plenty of options.
Finally, you can consult with a career counselor or professional resume writer. Our team includes professional resume writers with great experience on resume writing as well as industry experts that will make your resume get you to the interview.
Continuously update your resume
Updating your resume is very critical. Never send an outdated resume especially in social sciences and technology positions that things change rapidly. To have your resume updated you should do the following:
Try to keep a record of your accomplishments: Document your achievements and accomplishments as you work and not when you need to change your job. Include awards, promotions, projects or milestones to have them ready for deployment.
Review and revise your resume regularly: No matter how good your resume is, it can always become better. Add any new skills or experiences, remove outdated information, and make sure your resume is current and relevant.
Did you know that in My next job we offer lifting services for your resume? Order yours now. This is a great service especially if you already have a good resume and just need to make it great.
Focus on the most recent experiences: Updating your resume means that you include recent accomplishments and not past ones.
Summary
In today’s how-to guide on resume with actionable resume writing tips we covered everything you might need to make your resume a real tool for your career. We saw the general methodology to make a good resume which involves 1) understanding the recruiter, 2) identifying key skills or achievements, 3) tailoring your resume to the job description, 4) using specific keywords and phrases, 5) quantifying accomplishments, 6) understanding how ATS work, 7) revising and proofreading and 8) getting some feedback especially from industry experts. We also shared actionable resume writing tips 1) writing a compelling summary statement, 2) using a professional format that suits your industry and 3) continuously updating your resume.
Save and refer to this guide if you are trying to make the best possible resume. You can also enter our monthly newsletter in which we share more tips and exclusive webinars.
