How To Create The Best Resume For You
Resumes are something that everyone has an opinion on. Some say it should follow a specific format; others want it to stand out from the generic filled in templates that most people have. I’m here to tell you that there is no right or wrong way to create your resume. However, there are a few things you should consider while doing it. Here is my personal method on how to create a resume that best represents you and your individuality, instead of just filling your information into a premade template.
Step 1: Think about what skills & achievements you want to showcase.
Nobody knows your experiences and qualifications better than you do, so don’t let a fill in the blank style template dictate what employers know about you. Think about what sets you apart from the crowd of applicant that are applying to the same position. Do you have more experience in the field? Is your degree specialized to what they are looking for? Do you have a unique point of view that would benefit their company? Make sure they know about it by putting it into your resume!
Step 2: Cut out generic terminology; use keywords instead.
Every resume that employers come across will feature boring verbs like assisted and made. Make your resume stand out by using descriptive terms like created, managed, improved, developed, etc. Make sure each bullet point describing a job uses a different verb to describe what you did or learned in that position. This will help employers get a better idea of how qualified you are and how beneficial you would be to their company.
In addition to descriptive verbs, keywords are very important! Pay attention to what the job description asks for and feature that on your resume. Are they looking for someone who knows Adobe Photoshop? Make sure you mention it under the previous job you used it for. Do they want someone who has great customer service skills? Include a bullet point about how you improved your customer service skills at a previous position. Each resume that you send out should be tailored to what that position or company is looking for. This can include specific programs they use, company values, previous work experience, and more!
Step 3: Make sure you include all your important info.
There are certain things that all resumes should include no matter what field you are going into. These include your:
- Name
- Phone number
- Address
A couple other beneficial things you can include if you have them are:
- A link to your personal blog or website
- Your LinkedIn profile link
Step 4: Don’t forget the little things!
Many employers will throw out resumes with basic writing errors so make sure you proofread it! I often have one of my friends double check my resume for me before I send it out to make sure I didn’t misspell anything, make punctuation mistakes, or make any other minor errors. Everyone makes these mistakes from time to time, but lucky for us they are easy to fix.
Putting a resume together can be intimidating at first which is why many people just fill their information into a premade template. Using my easy four step method can help you make sure you are showing employers your best self. Stand out from the crowd the right way with a resume that will keep employers coming back for more!
