resume writing tips

Starting to write your resume? Or just finished doing it?

Whether you are starting or doing some editing on your resume, here are some resume tips to help you land that dream role. 

1. Format your resume appropriately

Choosing the right font size for your resume is important to help the hiring manager read it easily without squinting. The recommended font size for a resume is between 10-12 points. 

You also need to align your content to the left to make it skimmable. A Hiring Manager is likely to skim your resume for relevant keywords from the job description so make sure the text is aligning to the left to make it easier for them. 

Be consistent in using bold, caps, and italics. If you make your subheadings bold, make them all bold. But don’t overuse it. Keep in mind that you only need to highlight important information to make it easier to read and find. 

You also need to use a professional-looking, readable and attractive font. Some of the recommended fonts when writing a resume are Verdana, Arial, and Helvetica. Stay away from fonts that are hard to read or look childish like Comic Sans, Papyrus, Curlz MT. 

It is also recommended to give your resume sections that are visible and easy to find. You can do that by giving them simple subheadings.

Here are some resume sections ideas:

  • Career Goals
  • Experience
  • Education
  • Skills

2. Choose a professionally designed template

Resume templates can save you a lot of time and effort. That’s why we included that on our career platform – Fllair. Fllair has professional-looking templates that can help you format your resume easily. Fllair resume templates are very easy to use, edit and customize.

To access all Fllair’s ready to use resume templates, simply create an account here.

3. Consider adding a description of your coursework

This is one of the great tips for students who are writing resumes. Even though you already have the education section on your resume, listing or describing courses can show recruiters and Hiring Managers that you are keen to learn new skills. 

If you are a professional making a career change, putting in coursework descriptions will show that you’ve got relevant knowledge that goes beyond your previous work experience. 

4. Name your resume file property

The common mistake of students and professionals writing resumes is naming resume files properly. It’s very simple, but this is often overlooked by many. Avoid naming your resume “Resume” and instead use your name like “John_Smith_Resume”

5. Keep your experience section short and simple

Is your resume longer than the ideal length for resumes (one to two pages)? The easy way to cut on your resume content is to delete some bullet items in your experience section. Limit yourself to around six resume bullet points. 

6. Write explanations for large gaps in your career history

Gaps within your career experience can happen for all sorts of reasons. It is recommended to address those significant gaps in your career history by writing a brief explanation next to the jobs where the gaps occur.

This brief explanation will give the hiring manager or the recruiter an idea of what transpired during those career gaps. 

7. Add numbers and details wherever possible

Adding numbers and details can help you emphasize your skills. And it is one of the best resume tips that can land you the job. Instead of writing “responsible for sales” try writing “Increased sales by 12% over a 5 month period.”

Numbers are eye candy for recruiters that can help them assess your skills properly. Whether you were able to increase sales, efficiency, user engagement, or slashed costs, make your achievements quantifiable. 

8. Proofread your resume

You can’t afford to have typos or grammar errors on your resume. Did you know that 61% of recruiters will throw out a resume immediately if they see typos? So good resume spelling is very essential. 

To detect any grammar or spelling errors on your resume, use Microsoft Word or Google Docs. You may also use Grammarly to catch any grammar mistakes or Typos. 

It is also recommended to have someone read your resume first. So ask a friend or a mentor to help you and give feedback about your resume. 

9. Follow up on your resume

Instead of waiting for a call or email, you may want to follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter about your application a few days after you submitted your resume. 

If you need help in writing your resume or improving your interview skills, we have career experts that are ready to assist you. Simply contact us to get started.

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