Are you making a resume?
Before you submit your first draft and apply for a job, make sure you know which parts of a resume to focus on. You might end up with a resume that doesn’t sell you well if you don’t. Writing a resume is a careful art that requires a smart arrangement of information and understanding what kind of data builds your value.
Fortunately, we’ve got several useful resume tips below to help you craft an amazing resume. Read on to learn how to design and write a resume that will impress your next employer.
Contact Information
Your contact information is among the top three most important elements in a resume. After all, how will the employer or recruiter get in touch to let you know you landed the job?
Try to keep this section informative and concise. Make sure you list your full name, contact number, address, and email address. Instead of adding links to social media pages, use QR codes for an aesthetic design.
Place your contact information in the upper half of the first page. The employer should be able to spot it at first glance.
Profile Summary
It’s always a good idea to introduce yourself. The resume introduction is the one place where you can add some fluff; sell yourself and let your voice boom.
Of course, writing a resume introduction isn’t easy. Not a lot of people know how to squeeze a lot of information into a tiny section. You also have to let your personality show despite having only a few lines to pull it off.
You might want to hire a resume writer to get this done for you. They do it for a living, after all, and get the right information down without sacrificing tone or style.
Resume Objective
This is where you’ll inform the reader which position you want. Let them know which role interests you and what you want to achieve while working in the company. You can keep this section short but make sure it leaves a lasting impact.
Avoid vague filler. Don’t go with something generic like “I hope to achieve a fulfilling position and open up career advancement opportunities.” Lines like that make it seem like you copied a random line from the Internet.
Soft and Hard Skills
Why should a company hire you? What do you have to offer? Let your potential employer know by listing down your skills.
Split these into two: soft skills and hard skills. The former refers to skills you feel comfortable doing and you have experience but they aren’t your main forte. Hard skills, on the other hand, are the ones you know like the back of your hand.
Don’t list every skill you have. Only focus on listing down skills that are relevant to the job.
There’s no need to explain what each skill is. The employer/recruiter knows what they are. Simply listing them down is already enough to build your credibility and value.
Work Experience and Portfolio
The most crucial resume parts are the ones that highlight your value to the company. Your skills section is one portion but your portfolio and work history is another. Like your contact information, make sure to list your work history in the upper half of your resume.
Again, you don’t have to list all your previous jobs. List down the ones relevant to the position you’re applying for.
List down how long you were in each job. Include your job title and discuss your role for the previous company you worked for.
Instead of simply describing your position in each job, list down your achievements and things you feel proud of. The employer knows those job titles so impress them by listing awards, recognitions, or completed projects.
Educational Background
Your educational background won’t matter much if you have an extensive work history.
That said, it could be the defining factor that sets you apart from someone with an equally impressive resume. If you both did well in your previous jobs but you have a more impressive school background, you’ll likely be the top pick.
If you don’t have an extensive work history, take the opposite route. Place your educational background above your work experience. If you have any rewards or major achievements during college, list them down here.
Character References
Yes, it’s important to have proof that your resume is accurate and genuine. List down at least three people who aren’t family or friends. Make sure to include their full names, titles, contact numbers, and email addresses.
Having reputable character references also boosts your credibility.
Not sure where to put this section? It’s the only portion that doesn’t discuss your history and skills so put it at the bottom of the resume. It’s important but not as valuable as the other segments listed above.
Optional Parts of a Resume
With a smart resume design, you can fit everything on one page. This keeps it neat, easy to scan, and more enticing to read. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider adding other information to add some flair.
For example, you should add a photo to your resume. Even on a resume with color and style, use a professional picture with a plain white background.
Do you have a professional website that also highlights previous projects, social media pages, and other valuable examples of your work? Make sure to include a QR code or the URL to that site on your resume too. You can add it to the segment containing your contact information.
Craft a Perfect Resume Today
Now you know the different parts of a resume and how to write them. Focus on important segments first, such as your contact information and work history. Arrange each portion accordingly to impress people the moment they see your resume.
Of course, crafting a beautiful resume is only one business and career aspect to master.
If you enjoyed this resume-writing guide and want even more advice, we invite you to read our other posts. We tackle a bunch of topics regarding business, finance, real estate, and more!