Resumes represent the professional profile of a person looking to get a job for a better future. Hence, a resume should be crafted appropriately to do its job perfectly. However, many people don’t pay much attention to the outline of a resume, which eventually paves the way for their eradication from the recruitment process of an organization in the very first phase. Modern ATS systems used by large-scale organizations tend to filter out resumes without a proper outline.
As an applicant, it is your responsibility to stay cautious about the recruiter’s requirements and articulate the outline of your resume accordingly. Unfortunately, often times you fail to realize the proper outline because you don’t know the right method to create it.
In this writing, we have put together some practical tips to help you generate an effective outline for your resume and help you land your dream job based on an impressive resume. An online resume builder can help you greatly in this regard.
Make sure you read this article till the very end to understand the method of creating a proper resume outline, as it will help you greatly in your job hunt venture.
Further details are given below:
Go Through the Job Ad Properly
Regardless of the medium that helped you get your hands on the job ad you are interested in, it is necessary to go through it vigilantly. Make sure to note the requirements and highlight them if possible. If you are not satisfied with going through the job advertisement once, go through it several times until you understand the recruiter’s requirements correctly.
Understanding the requirements will help you figure out the elements that should be included in your resume to make it capable of passing the ATS. Moreover, make sure you create a custom resume for every position you apply for. There is no one size fits all factor in creating resumes.
Make Sure You are Choosing the Right Format
It is worth mentioning that, like all other writings, resumes come in various formats. There are 3 frequently used formats of resumes. These formats are chronological (reverse), functional, and hybrid. The chronological format lists your job experiences and skills in reverse chronological order. This format is most suitable for seasoned professionals. If you are an experienced professional, this is the right format to go with unless said otherwise.
On the other hand, the functional resume format focuses more on your skills than work experiences. Finally, the hybrid or combination resume format is a mixture that emphasizes skills and experiences alike. If you are looking for templates according to various formats, take the help of a reliable resume builder free.
Add Your Contact Details and Summary at the Top
An employer should first see the contact details on your resume. Make sure you write your complete name as entered. Include your cellphone number and email address after your name. You can add your nationality if you apply abroad, but it is optional. There is no need to discuss your religion or marital status, as these elements are of secondary importance for most recruiters. You should also include the URL of your LinkedIn profile and your portfolio website (If available). Add your photo in a professional pose if the recruiter asks; otherwise, you are good to go. Take the help of a resume builder to use a template that is made for the job you are applying for. After contact details, add a short summary to discuss your objectives and characteristics that make you stand out.
Make sure the summary is at most 4 lines.
Add Experiences and Skills in Reverse Chronological Order
After the contact details and summary, it is time to discuss the essential elements of your resume. These elements can be your skills and job experiences. Make sure these elements appear above the fold on your resume. In simple terms, above the fold means scannable content in a single glance. If you have prepared your resume according to chronological order, then place your experiences first; otherwise, skills should take the upper position.
Make sure you add all the relevant skills that can help capture the recruiter’s attention. You can also add soft skills like hybrid competence (ability to work in the office and remotely alike) to boost your chances of landing the job. Finally, list your academic qualifications, hobbies, awards, and other types of information after writing experiences and skills.
Include Relevant Keywords in your Resume
Adding keywords relevant to your industry and job can strengthen your chances of getting hired. Hence, it is necessary to use such keywords in your resume draft. Going through the job ad carefully can help you understand such keywords. You can also perform a web search to find suitable keywords for a particular job and industry. Once you are well aware of those keywords, make sure to include those keywords in your summary. Finally, it is worth mentioning that you never try to add false information to your resume.
