Resume Writing

How do I begin?

The task can be overwhelming. Start with listing out soft skills, functional knowledge, industry experience, technical skills, specific accomplishments, methodologies, and any other special skills, qualifications and abilities you have. The list should also include your educational background and any certifications or training courses you have taken. You can then format it in a uniform way that lists out your past positions with company name, job title, dates, and responsibilities.

How long should my resume be?

Many people struggle to try and fit their whole career on one page, but this one-page rule is a myth. For most professionals, your resume should be at least two pages long to showcase all of your experience, but likely no more than four pages.

Should I have more than one resume?

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume. It’s a good idea to build targeted resumes, and have several resume “shells” created that can be used as a basis for preparing a resume customized for a specific job opportunity. There is likely more than one type of job that you are qualified for, and you should have a base resume that is targeted for each of these types of opportunities. Understand the requirements of each position and prepare a resume that contains all the appropriate bullets/keywords/experience.

Should I include a cover letter?

In today’s job market, cover letters are not as crucial as they used to be. Hiring managers are very busy, and almost never receive a copy of the cover letter. Even if they do, they often skip over it. Additionally, the resume is usually sent to many people in the department to review, and those individuals almost never see the cover letter. The only way to ensure that individuals will see all the information that you want them to see is to include it in the resume. If a job does require you to submit a cover letter, avoid “fluff” and be sure to keep it succinct. Include specifics of why you are uniquely qualified for the position.

how do I stand out?

Employers search for candidates that have certain keywords on their resume, and you need to make sure that these words are included on your resume, even if you feel certain terms are implied. It is very important to brainstorm what keywords the employer may be focusing on, and to make sure that each and every one of these words appears on your resume.