5 Steps to Writing the Perfect Resume
Let me guess, it’s been a while since you updated your resume, right? It can be hard to know what you should include in your resume, what to leave off, and how to lay out the information in a way that best shares your story with potential employers. Lucky for you, that’s where KORE1 can help!
Before you hit the submit button on your next job application, pause to review your resume with these five steps and write the perfect resume to set yourself apart from the competition. Let’s get started!
Step 1: The Clean Up
Before you start adding new work experience, skills, or references to your resume it can be beneficial to first review what’s currently on your resume. Most job seekers only update their resume occasionally, so there’s a good chance some of the information is out of date or no longer relevant. Taking some time at the start of process to scrub your resume of old info and clean up what’s left can set you up for an easier editing process. It’s also a good way to review past job experience and narrow down your resume to relevant details that align well with the new job you’re applying for. This leads to…
Step 2: Customize
Now that your resume has been trimmed down to the relevant facts, it’s time to customize. To start, ensure you’re aligning the information on your resume with the job opportunity by carefully reviewing the position description. Note the key responsibilities or skills required and make sure you’re addressing these in your resume with clear, recent examples. Do you have in depth experience with the tech stack the company is using? If so, don’t be afraid to go into detail on your resume. Companies are looking to hire people who are familiar with what the role involves, so prove that you know what you’re talking about.
Additionally, while it can be tempting to leave extra information on your resume, highlighting every single responsibility, it actually won’t help your case with hiring managers. In reality, those reviewing your resume might wonder why you’re applying for a job that doesn’t encompass all the work you’re used to. Instead, narrow your focus to the specific job you’re applying for and remove any details that don’t support your case.
Step 3: The Numbers Game
So you’ve customized your resume and included details and experiences that speak to the specific job you’re applying for. Great! But you can’t just state how awesome you are at your job, you’ve got to back it up with proof. This is where the numbers come in. Aim to include accomplishments on your resume that are quantifiable and show that you can deliver on initiatives with measurable results. For example, instead of saying that the software implementation you managed increased user experience and customer satisfaction, add data to support your point. The more you can show quantitative results along with your descriptions of previous responsibilities and projects relevant to the job you’re applying for, the more credible and successful your application will be.
Step 4: Summarize
Would you buy a book you knew nothing about without first reading the book summary? Probably not. The same is true of resumes. HR departments and hiring managers sometimes receive hundreds of applications for a single job position and they don’t have time to look through every resume in its entirety. That’s why a professional summary at the top of your resume is so crucial. It provides an overview of your story – who you are, years of work experience, specific industry experience, and any awards, accomplishments, or skills worth highlighting – right away. Think of the summary as your hook to grab the attention of hiring managers. The information should be well communicated, clear and concise, and, most importantly, error free. Ultimately, a great summary will make people want to check out the rest of your resume and, in the process, realize you’re a great fit for the job.
Step 5: The Final Design
The final step to building an elite resume is to create one that not only conveys important information, but also looks great in the process. This means consistent font, headings, and text size throughout your document. Spacing is also important. You don’t want the information to look cramped and hard to read, but too much space can also be a distraction. At KORE1, we recommend narrow margins, 10-point font size, and a simple, readable style such as Calibri. The entire resume should be single spaced with extra spacing after sections and between job experience listings. Most importantly, aim to keep your resume to a single page front and back. Hiring managers reviewing hundreds of resumes simply don’t have the time to look through long, multi-page resumes.
With these five steps complete, your resume will look great, communicate important information about your skills and qualifications, and help you make the case that you’re the perfect candidate for the job.
Looking for additional help with your job search? Get in touch with the recruiting experts at Kore1 today!
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