Basic rules for writing your resume

Published

13 years ago

13 September, 2011

admin

Keep the following advice in mind when writing your resume.

Source: englishandculture.com

DO

Be brief. Resumes should be no longer than 2 pages.
The layout needs to be simple and easy to read. Use bold to highlight titles and important information
Proof read your resume several times and if possible get someone else to have a look
Back up your statements with concrete evidence to demonstrate your skills

DO NOT

Do not use abbreviations
Do not repeat the same vocabulary again and again. Use a thesaurus to find synonyms
Do not use fancy colors or fonts; your CV needs to look professional. There are better ways to set yourself apart
Do not ramble; only include relevant information and there is no need to mention any failures

Other related articles:

How to write your motivation/cover letter
More help with your CV/Resume
Resume templates

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How to Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Screening Software

In order to diminish the numbers of applications some companies will automatically screen applications, make sure you do not get filtered out with these tips!

Published

11 years ago

23 July, 2013

Moritz Fack

Source: Lifehacker.com

When bigger companies advertise the opening of a position, it is not uncommon for them to receive a large amount of applications for the respective job. While not all companies do this, some use applicant screening software in order to filter out the applications by a set of rules that are predetermined by the employer. However, this sometimes also causes problems for the applicants. If your resume or cover letter does not contain certain keywords related the to the job for example, it is possible that no one will ever see your resume. It is a good idea to format your resume and cover letter correctly, in order to avoid being eliminated before the hiring manager has considered you.

Resume Optimization

Use keywords - One of the main things that screening software does is scan the resume for certain keywords. Problems arise when, for example, the job description requires the ability to use a certain program, however, it is not mentioned in your resume even though you are able to. This is why it is important to include skills that are required or maybe even seem obvious as screening programs often filter resumes out that do not contain certain words, in an effort to only select candidates that are fully qualified.
Repetition - If the job seems to focus on a certain skill or function it is a good idea to include it multiple times throughout your resume. Screening programs will often filter out resumes that do not seem relevant enough to the job, this can be combated however, by using the words from the job description especially those which seem to play a large role in the job.
Job titles - Applicant screening software also often scans your employment history and checks its relatedness with the job you are applying for. This is usually the case when the job requires a certain amount of experience. Sometimes however, the software will not recognize a job title and class it as unrelated. It is therefore a good idea, if your recent or current job title does not match with the one you are applying for, to clarify or even put the new employers name for the same job in parentheses. It is not recommended to change the job title entirely as this would be seen as a discrepancy if questioned about it.
Save in a standard format - It is often debated which format is the best to send out a resume as, when the company does not specify. Using nonstandard software or formats may cause your resume to be discarded by the screening process or the company may have trouble opening it. Due to the number of applicants the company will not alert you of this fact and your resume will also be discarded. Therefore when sending your resume it is suggested to use a PDF or Word (.docx or .doc) file as most companies will view these as standard.

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Top eBooks Under $5 on Cover Letters

Published

12 years ago

12 February, 2013

sarah

Before you send in your application, resume and cover letter, take a moment to read one of these eBooks. Compiled is a list of eBooks all found on Amazon.com and all under five dollars that have helpful tips on perfecting your cover letter. It doesn't hurt to double check to see if you are missing anything or if you should rearrange your letter. Since cover letters are just as important as resumes, these eBooks provide quick, easy to read information. These eBooks allow you to have the information at your finger tips and they won't break your bank.

*Note: All ratings are out of five stars.

Career Essentials: The Cover Letter

by Dale Mayer

Price: $4.16

Rating: 5

Get It Done: Write a Cover Letter

by Jeremy Schifeling

Price: $1.19

Rating: 5

Insider Tips On Writing An Effective Cover Letter

by Tom Nixon

Price: $1.16

Rating: 5

A Crash Course In Cover Letters: Adapting An Old School Tool For Your Digital Job Search (Forbes)

by J. Maureen Henderson and JM Henderson

Price: $3.59

Rating: N/A

Land That Job! How to Write a Perfect Resume and Cover Letter That Will Get You The Interview (Landing Your Job Series)

by Stacy Michelle

Price: $3.50

Rating: 3.5

Cover Letters & Resumes: A Quick Reference to Help You Get the Job You Deserve

by Casey Lane

Price: $1.16

Rating: N/A

How To Write A Cover Letter In 5 Easy Steps

by Gillian Rogerson

Price: $ 1.19

Rating: N/A

Cover Letter Domination - How to Write a Good Cover Letter - Get The Job You Want in Today's Job Market

by Jannet Kennedy

Price: $3.50

Rating: N/A

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Top eBooks Under $5 on Resumes

Published

12 years ago

12 February, 2013

sarah

Embracing technology is a must in today's society. Not only will it keep you up-to-date with the latest occurrences, but you can use it to your benefit, for example when trying to find a job. We all know there are many components to finding a job, one being writing your resume and keeping it current with your experiences. Take a look at these eBooks found on Amazon.com that are all under five dollars on resumes.

*Note: Ratings are all out of five stars.

Find a Job Now: How To Write a Winning Resume and Land the Interview (Secrets from a Recruiter Series)

by Christian Ward

Price: $1.19

Rating: 5

How To Write A Resume: The Resume Writing Book That Helps You Crack Today's Tough Job Market

by Thomas Tucker

Price: $1.36

Rating: 5

Unbeatable Resumes: America's Top Recruiter Reveals What REALLY Gets You Hired

by Tony Beshara and Dr. Phil McGraw

Price: $3.75